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Coordinator, Polytrauma Research Executive Committee/Program Manager, Polytrauma Vision Rehab Clinic
James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and Clinics
Odessa, Florida
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
NAME: Imelda V. Llanos
POSITION TITLE: Coordinator, Polytrauma Research Executive Committee, PM&R; Program Manager, Vision Impairment Clinic; OT Vision Specialist
EDUCATION/TRAINING :
University of the Philippines, Manila Philippines BS in Occupational Therapy 04/1990
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL MS in Visual Disabilities 08/2002
A. Personal Statement
I have been an occupational therapist for the past 29 years with the last 20 years focused in managing visual disabilities associated with the aging process, neurological conditions, and brain injury.
B. Positions and Honors
2016-present Research Coordinator, Polytrauma Executive Research Committee, Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation Services, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL
2006-present Program Manager/Clinical Coordinator, Vision Impairment Clinic, James A. Haley Veterans
Hospital, Tampa, FL
2004-2006 Occupational Therapist, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, James A. Haley Veterans
Hospital, Tampa, FL
2002-2004 Lead Occupational Therapist, Brandon Regional Hospital, Tampa, FL
1999-2002 Senior Rehabilitation Specialist, Division of Blind Services, Tampa, FL
2000-2007 Occupational Therapist - TBI and Inpatient Rehabilitaion, Bayfront Medical Center, St.
Petersburg, FL
1992-1999 Director of Occupational Therapy, Hillhaven Corporation/Vencor, Tampa, FL
1990-1992 Lead Occupational Therapist, Cupertino Center for Special Children, Manila, Philippines
Experience and Professional Membership/Involvement:
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
Member, Special Interest Group - Vision Taskforce
Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense
Subject Matter Expert to develop evaluation and management pathways for patients with visual deficits due to traumatic brain injury
Vision Center of Excellence
Subject Matter Expert – Identification, evaluation, and management of patients with visual deficits due to traumatic brain injury
Department of Blind Services – Florida:
Member, State of Florida Advisory Group for the Development of Programs and Services for the Independent and Adult Living Programs of Visually-Impaired Individuals
C. Contributions to Science
1. Advanced understanding of the importance of identifying, evaluating, and treating visual deficits in the military and civilian population due to traumatic brain injury. There is paucity of data outlining the visual consequences of traumatic brain injury. In the past 12 years, I have committed my time and have been involved in looking at policies and procedures as well as planning for the identification, evaluation, and management of the visual needs of patients who sustained traumatic brain injury. I served as a subject matter expert for both VA and DoD and the Vision Center of Excellence tasked with the job of developing pathways for the screening, evaluation, treatment, and referral of active duty service members and veterans with visual issues sustained from TBI to appropriate clinics and providers. I am also a member of the special interest group (SIG) Vision Taskforce of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine working in the same areas I have worked in the past but aimed for the civilian population. Published work and lectures I have done alone or with others in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation have helped develop screening, evaluation, and treatment pathways for management of visual consequences of TBI from the theater or field of engagement to the military treatment facilities, and to the VA system. This body of work had also helped inform national VA and DoD healthcare practitioners programmatic needs for active duty service members and veterans with TBI.
1. Co-Author: “Meaningful Recovery Using Visual Therapy in a Patient with Balint Syndrome”, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: October 2015
2. Composition of a Vision Screen for Servicemembers With Traumatic Brain Injury: Consensus Using a Modified Nominal Group Technique”, American Journal of Occupational Therapy: July-August 2014
3. Co-author: “Focus on Capabilities not Disabilities – Sports and Recreation for the Visually Impaired Service Member and Veteran”, Federal Practitioner: June 2012
D. Additional Information: Research Support and/or Scholastic Performance
1. Co-investigator: Recommendations and Interventions for and Changes in the Ocular Health and Visual Function of Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury, VA HSR&D
Friday, October 23, 2020
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM EST