Special acknowledgments on Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer’s retirement
Dear NeuroRehabilitation readers,
It is with utmost thanks and respect that I write to inform our readers that my long-term colleague, Jeffrey Kreutzer, Ph.D., ABPP, FACRM, has decided to step down from his role as co-editor of NeuroRehabilitation. Dr. Kreutzer and I have co-edited the journal since its inception in 1991. It has been an absolute honor to work with him over 30 plus years on this important international publication aimed at providing the latest clinically relevant information to our readers and more broadly to those working in the field of neurorehabilitation. I consider Jeff a mentor, scientific collaborator and most importantly, a friend. His expertise and influence on the journal will, of course, be sorely missed.
It is important from my perspective as his student, colleague and friend to assure that younger professionals and those that per chance may not be aware of Dr. Kreutzer’s contributions understand how he has tirelessly worked to advance the field of brain injury neurorehabilitation and neuropsychology more generally. Dr. Kreutzer is a Distinguished Career Professor in the School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University. He first joined VCU’s faculty in 1983 after completing his postdoctoral fellowship at VCU and internship with Muriel Lezak at the Portland, Oregon VA Medical Center. He previously served as the Rosa Schwarz Cifu Endowed Professor in Cancer Rehabilitation in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Virginia Commonwealth University and directed the medical school’s program in rehabilitation psychology and neuropsychology. Since 1987, he served as the Director of VCU’s federally designated Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (TBIMS). One of 16 federally funded, highly prestigious clinical and research centers, VCU is home to the nation’s longest running TBIMS. He retired as a full-time VCU faculty member in December 2020 after more than three decades of academic service.
As a clinician, Dr. Kreutzer provided neuropsychological and family support services to persons with a wide variety of neurological disabilities, specializing in traumatic brain injury. His practice was holistic, emphasizing skills training, psychological support, and education. Throughout his career, Dr. Kreutzer dedicated his efforts to developing practical and effective interventions for persons with brain injury and their family members. Dr. Kreutzer was a founding member of the Virginia Head Injury Foundation (1983), now known as Brain Injury Association of Virginia.
In 1986, he and Dr. Paul Wehman received a major federal grant to adapt supported employment methods for persons with brain injury. Their successful program helped make supported employment the current “standard of care” for TBI employment services. More recently, in collaboration with his VCU colleagues, Dr. Kreutzer developed three empirically based programs to enhance resilience for individuals, couples, and families after TBI.
For several decades, Dr. Kreutzer played a key role in training postdoctoral fellows. In 1987, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) developed the Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Program (ARRT). The five-year program provides funding for clinicians who wish to develop their rehabilitation research skills. Dr. Kreutzer oversaw the VCU program for 25 years and trained more than 30 fellows.
A Fellow in the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (FACRM), the National Academy of Neuropsychology, and the American Psychological Association, Dr. Kreutzer co-authored more than 170 peer-reviewed publications, most in the area of TBI and rehabilitation. He also published more than 15 books covering topics such as vocational rehabilitation, behavior management, and cognitive rehabilitation. Dr. Kreutzer has given more than 500 invited national and international scientific lectures. His most important work was as chief editor of the Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology published by Springer in 2011 and 2018, composing five volumes spanning nearly 4,000 pages, with more than 900 contributing authors.
Dr. Kreutzer has received numerous awards for his research and clinical care including but not limited to the Sheldon Berrol Clinical Service Award from The National Head Injury Foundation, the Robert L. Moody Prize for Distinguished Initiatives in Brain Injury Research and Rehabilitation from the University of Texas, the Roger Barker Distinguished Research Contribution Award, the Diller Award for Demonstrated Excellence in the Field of Neurorehabilitation, the Distinguished Lifetime Contribution to Neuropsychology Award from the National Academy of Neuropsychology, the McCollom Research Award from the Foundation for Life Care Planning Research, and the Innovations in Treatment Award from the North American Brain Injury Society. Most recently in 2017, he was presented with the Jennett Plum Award for Clinical Achievement in the Field of Brain Injury Medicine by the International Brain Injury Association.
Knowing Dr. Kreutzer as well as I do, I know that the decision to step down from his role as co-editor of NeuroRehabilitation did not come easily. The journal would clearly not be where it is today if not for his historical efforts. He should rest assured though that it is in good hands and with the help of our publisher and all their wonderful employees, our great managing editor, Ms. Melissa Oliver, and editorial board, the journal will continue to make its mark in the field well beyond the involvement of its originaleditors.
Nathan D. Zasler, MD, DABPM&R, FAAPM&R, FACRM, BIM, CBIST
Chief Editor, NeuroRehabilitation
Founder, CEO & CMO, Concussion Care Centre of Virginia, Ltd.
Medical Director, Tree of Life
Professor, affiliate, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Professor, Visiting, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Acknowledgements from the managing editor and editorial board
Managing editor
Melissa Oliver, MS OTR/L
The years prior to my work with NeuroRehabilitation, I only knew of Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer through his extraordinary work and research in brain injury. When I was given the opportunity to work with him, along with Dr. Nathan Zasler, through the journal, it was an immediate yes. Over the years, Jeff more than willingly shared his knowledge and expertise about what it takes to perform and complete great research. This allowed me to better understand the process and what is needed to write research articles that would have a lasting influence. Jeff’s forward thinking and ground break perspectives in terms of rehabilitation and neuropsychology and their integration in care led to a forever impact on science and direct clinical care. Jeff, also, had great faith in me that gave me the confidence to share my own expertise through several workshops and presentations over the years. I will be forever grateful to Jeff for his openness and willingness to share his passion and his work with some many of us that had the honor to know him and those he impacted that he never met.
Emeritus managing editor
Jenny Marwitz, MA
I wish a fond farewell to Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer as he enters retirement. I have had the honor and privilege to work with Jeff for nearly 35 years. He is truly a leader in the field of traumatic brain injury and is known as an excellent clinician, researcher, and educator. Over the years, I met many of Dr. Kreutzer’s patients and their families, all of whom offered the utmost praise of his care. As a researcher, he began by first studying outcomes after TBI and then worked tirelessly to develop and evaluate skill-building, psychological support, and educational interventions for survivors, couples, and families. Dr. Kreutzer traveled around the world, conducting trainings on the Brain Injury Family Intervention for health care professionals, as well as for survivors and their families.
His commitment to creating training and educational opportunities was also evident through his programming of the annual “Williamsburg Conference” which remains the longest continuously running brain injury rehabilitation conference in the world. The inaugural conference, titled Rehabilitation of the Traumatic Brain-Injured Adult, was held in June 1977 and organized by Dr. Kreutzer’s close friend and colleague, Dr. Mitchell Rosenthal. Dr. Kreutzer served as planning Chair beginning in 1987. The conference has continued to evolve over the years and has served as a critical method to inform brain injury professionals on practical rehabilitation treatment, standards of care, and evolving research.
Dr. Kreutzer’s goal was always to advance the field of rehabilitation research in an effort to improve the lives of those with injury and their families. Editing the journal, NeuroRehabilitation, was important to this mission by generating new knowledge and promoting its use among fellow researchers and health care providers. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside Jeff for so many years. His creativity and my practicality helped us make many lofty ideas a reality. I know that I would not be who I am today without his guidance, mentorship, and friendship. Jeff’s dedication remains an inspiration to me personally, as well as to many others in the rehabilitation community.
Editorial board
Muhammed D. Al-Jarrah, PhD
Saying thank you won’t be enough to appreciate Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer’s great contribution, guidance and leadership of NeuroRehabilitation over 30 years. Hereby, I would like to express my sincere admiration for his outstanding efforts in moving the journal forward. The professionalism he has shown has motivated not only the editorial board members, but the entire NeuroRehabilitation team immensely. In his Emeritus Chief Editor position, I am sure we will continue to benefit from his advice and guidance. I wish him the best of luck in all futureendeavors.
Yvona Angerova, MD
Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer, I will always remember you and your great effort in moving NeuroRehabilitation forward. Thank you for everything!
Nouredin Nakhostin Ansari, PhD
It is difficult to imagine NeuroRehabilitation without Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer. After dedicating such a significant portion of his life to this role, it is natural for us to feel a sense of nostalgia and admiration as he has completed his responsibility so effectively. In stepping down as co-editor, he has left behind a legacy of excellence and integrity that will continue to inspire the journal team in moving forward. His hard work, dedication, and co-editorship with Dr. Zasler have contributed to the success and growth of NeuroRehabilitation.
Vitriana Biben, MD
With Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer’s outstanding contribution to the journal and willingness to accept all input to make the journal grow, I honor him for his professionalism in his work. I wish him all the best, success, and health.
Lucia Willadino Braga, PhD
I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Jeffrey (Jeff) Kreutzer through my involvement on the editorial board of NeuroRehabilitation and also as a contributor to the journal. Over the years, Jeff has offered guidance and support for numerous manuscripts from countless researchers who sought his expertise and clinical eye for groundbreaking, relevant content to include in NeuroRehabilitation. It is both an honor and a pleasure having access to someone as accomplished and generous as Jeff has been in his years as co-editor of the journal. It is sad to see him leave his post, but wonderful that he will stay on in an Emeritus position, still offering his invaluable feedback, helping - along with Dr. Nathan Zasler - to keep NeuroRehabilitation at the cutting edge of noteworthy content in our field. Congratulations, Jeff - and thank you for all your years of dedication.
Joan Ferri Campos, PhD
It is my honor to have the opportunity to write these words of appreciation to Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer for his contribution in the field of neurorehabilitation. I was greatly saddened when I received the news that he would step down as co-editor since he was a great reference for those of us who are working in this field, and more specifically in the field of neuropsychology, as it is my case.
The excellence of his scientific production and professional activity are very well-known worldwide. His work in the field of neurological disability care, with a special focus on holistic rehabilitation, learning and skills training, self-advocacy, long-term needs, psychotherapy, return to work and family intervention has influenced most of our personal and professional careers up to considering him as an outstanding reference who has guided our daily work.
In addition to his professional activity, only a person with extreme human values, like him, could have dedicated his life to seek the very best well-being of others, including patients, families and professionals working in this field. Jeff is a good man who has helped many people, as well as an excellent clinician and scientist who with his contributions has raised the knowledge of neurorehabilitation in general and of this journal in particular. Thank you very much! I wish him all the best in his new stage and my greatest recognition.
David X. Cifu, MD
Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer, or simply “Jeff” as everyone calls him, has been my colleague, mentor and friend since I joined VCU PM&R in August 1991. The first day that I visited his small, dark office in the 100+ year old West Hospital, sat on his antique sofa, admired the bookshelves filled with TBI classics, saw his desk piled high with manuscripts and articles, and shook his hand as he hesitantly welcomed me to the Department, I knew that I was “home.” We spent countless hours planning research projects, engineering grants, writing manuscripts and discussing how to build a better TBI rehabilitation mousetrap over the past four decades, and I am indebted to him for all of the accomplishments and successes of my career. He always made the time for our meetings, always had an encouraging word to say about a dead end, and was always there when things needed to get done. I am thankful to have spent so much time with Jeff over the years and to have been able to work so closely with him on so many projects. We are all in a better place because of all of the time, effort and love Jeff put into his career. Thank you Jeff for being an important part of mylife.
Rajinder K. Dhamija, MD
I had the honor and privilege to work with Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer as member of the editorial team of NeuroRehabilitation. It has been a learning experience from the master. Under Jeff’s leadership, NeuroRehabiltation has established itself in promoting science throughout the rehabilitation fraternity. His significant impact on the journal has been far-reaching and comprehensive. Thank you, Jeff, for your dedication over a remarkable 30-year career and all the best in your next phase oflife.
Alessandro Giustini, MD
I am very happy to send my thanks to Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer for his contributions to the large and special development of NeuroRehabilitation and its global reach. My deep appreciation for his role and actions. I wish him the best.
Carol Hawley, PhD
I would like to add my thanks to Jeff for his outstanding contributions to the field of brain injury and neurorehabilitation during his career. I also want to thank him for his long standing dedication to Brain Injury and NeuroRehabilitation as co-editor. I wish him a long and happy retirement.
Jan Lexell, MD
Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer and I first met 25 years ago and I have had the privilege to work with him for both NeuroRehabilitation and Brain Injury. Three decades devoted to publishing scientific papers and managing a journal is an absolutely astonishing achievement. Best wishes for his next phase in life!
Skye McDonald, PhD
It has been a pleasure for me to work with Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer as an editorial board member and to watch how his aspirations have shaped the journal. I am especially impressed with the journal’s international representation and orientation. As a result of his vision and dedication, I am sure this important journal’s future is assured and that it will continue to reflect his long years of dedication.
Mayowa Ojo Owolabi, MBBS
Hearty congratulations to Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer for his sterling monumental contributions to the scholarship and progress in the field of neurorehabilitation!
Barry Willer, PhD
There are few academics that can point to the type of impact Jeffrey had on traumatic brain injury, especially his research on families and their needs. He has also mentored others to carry on his legacy. It has been a career well lived and he should be very proud.
Joshua (Sung) You, PhD
It is my utmost pleasure and greatest privilege to serve NeuroRehabilitation with Dr. Jeffrey Kreutzer over many years. He demonstrated amazing leadership and commitment to the journal. Certainly, he is an exceptional model for all of us. I wish him the best.
Anastasia Zarkou, PhD
Although I joined the editorial board recently, I can speak about Dr. Kreutzer’s passion and commitment in making NeuroRehabilitation excel. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
