The North Texas Burn Rehabilitation Model System (NTBRMS) including Parkland Health and Hospital System (PHHS) and the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical center (UTSW) is internationally renown for its top quality comprehensive program of care, rehabilitation, and research involving children and adults who sustain major burn injury.  The new grant cycle began on October 1, 2007 and will end September 30, 2012.  

Research

• The NTBRMS was instrumental in establishing the national database and has contributed detailed information on 1305 subjects since 1994. 
• 1 collaborative research module titled
  • "Burn Model System Five and Ten Year Long-Term Follow-up of a  National  Sample of Major  Burn Injuries"
• 2 site specific research studies
  • "Biomechanical properties of burn scar"    
  • "Efficacy of Social Interaction Skills Training Post Burn Injury"
• Each of these projects links directly with the major life domains of NIDRR mission, namely Health and Function, and Participation and Community Living.

Dissemination

• Scientific publications
• Quarterly newsletter is available in English and Spanish
• Collaboration with NIDRR-funded Model Systems' Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) by participating in its systematic reviews of evidence and will facilitate knowledge management by identifying the information needs and barriers among the various stakeholders both at national and local levels.

Project Staff

• Principal Investigator:                           Karen Kowalske MD
• Director of Research:                            Radha Holavanahalli, Ph.D.
• Director of Clinical Services:                  Vincent Gabriel, MD
• Administrative Associate:                      Ruth Davies
• Data Collection Specialist:                     Cecilia Lara, BS
• Data Collection Specialist:                     Amanda Tollar, BA

Collaboration

• Clinical collaboration is the hallmark of the burn team, which includes individuals from several institutions who work together seamlessly as well as collaboration with our rural care providers through outreach clinics.
• Research collaboration occurs locally with the surgeons and academic computing and nationally with the other model systems.

Funding for this grant is made possible by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education (Grant # H133A070024) October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2012.                                                                                                                                                     

Webmaster:   Ruth.Davies@utsouthwestern.edu