Haley Brain Wellness Program

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Jacksonville, FL
Haley Brain Wellness Program

Our mission is to provide barrier free comprehensive & transformative care to Veterans and First Responders.

04/20/2026

What is cognitive reserve and why might it matter in traumatic brain injury recovery? Check out our infographic ⬇️

04/16/2026

Join us in celebrating another of our incredible team members! 🧠 🎶

Steven Amburn, MT-BC, has been keeping the UF Health Haley Brain Wellness Program on key for the past three years! As a Board Certified Music Therapist, he works with patients in both individual and group settings to identify ways that music can improve their lives.

Outside of work, Steven enjoys cooking and – no surprise here – music. His favorite part about being part of the Brain Wellness Program is how each person who comes through the program brings with them a different musical background, preferences, and motivations for what music they enjoy and why, and seeing the way this impacts their experience in Music Therapy.

Fun fact: In his words, Steven owns "way too many" instruments!

04/13/2026

Did you know? 💤

According to a large study of US service members, traumatic injury – including mild traumatic brain injury – increases a person's risk of developing insomnia, especially within the first two years after injury.

Many factors contribute to sleep health, including sleep hygiene, mental health, sleep apnea, and pain – that's why we help the veterans and first responders we serve address their sleep struggles from a holistic perspective.

Interested in learning more? Visit https://ufhealthjax.org/brain-wellness/ to find our more today.

Reference: Haynes ZA, Collen JF, Poltavskiy EA, et al. Risk factors of persistent insomnia among survivors of traumatic injury: a retrospective cohort study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(9):1831-1840. doi:10.5664/jcsm.9276

04/09/2026

Can you guess how hearing and brain health are related?

Recent evidence in civilian populations shows a link between hearing loss and risk of cognitive decline in older adults. This is one factor our speech-language pathologists look at during our holistic initial assessment as part of their role in promoting healthy, effective communication!

(If you picked C, that's a good guess! Learning a new skill, such as a new language, is one way to boost cognitive reserve!)

04/06/2026

April is the Month of the Military Child — a time to recognize the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of the children of our service members. Growing up in a military family comes with unique challenges, and these individuals demonstrate resilience and adaptability.

At the Haley Brain Wellness Program, we are proud to come alongside military families in supporting our veterans.

04/01/2026

No April fooling here — evidence shows that the relationship between humor and mental health is no laughing matter.

Laughter can reduce stress hormones, increase endorphins, and support emotional regulation, all of which are important for mental health. Humor and laughter may also support cognitive function, pain tolerance, and stress recovery — all of which can play a role after a brain injury. Even brief moments of laughter can help shift the nervous system out of “fight-or-flight” and into a more regulated state.

Embracing humor, especially in shared experiences, can be a simple, meaningful way to support overall well-being – and that's no joke!

03/30/2026

We couldn't let Music Therapy Awareness Month wrap up without highlighting the key role this unique discipline plays in the holistic treatment that veterans and first responders participate in at the Haley Brain Wellness Program!

In the words of Steven Amburn, our board-certified music therapist, "Music therapy is not about learning to play instruments or learning to perform, nor is it simply about listening to music; music therapy is about the use of music as a tool to improve our lives."

We're surrounded by sound all the time – whether we think of it as music or not – and it affects how we interact with our world. Music therapy incorporates a variety of creative approaches to help people restore some of the rhythms of their life.

How has music played a role in your health or recovery journey?

03/26/2026

Brain fact incoming! 🧠⚡

Did you know that repeated concussions can increase the risk of future brain injury? A history of TBI may contribute to longer recovery times and cumulative effects on brain health.

Oftentimes, our patients have experienced multiple head impact events which may have a complex effect on brain health over time. The team of professionals at the Haley Brain Wellness Program have years of experience in working with veterans and first responders dealing with the effects of TBI, and can provide a holistic treatment approach to dealing with these and related symptoms. Interested in learning more? Check out our website here: https://ufhealthjax.org/brain-wellness/

03/23/2026

We are excited to highlight another of our wonderful team members!

Jeanne King, BS, MS, has been part of the UF Health Haley Brain Wellness Program team for over 3 years! As a Program Coordinator, she excels in planning and facilitating every step of the patient experience, from application to graduation. She holds a bachelor's in clinical & counseling psychology as well as a master's degree in mental health counseling. Outside of work, Jeanne enjoys cheering on the Green Bay Packers, riding roller coasters, and watching scary movies!

Join us in celebrating Jeanne! 🧠💚

03/19/2026

What does it mean that your brain is "plastic"? 🤔

Let's break it down!

Your brain's ability to adapt, reorganize, and form new connections – called synapses – throughout life is called neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity is one of the reasons recovery after brain injury is possible.

When you practice a skill or repeat an activity, the brain strengthens the connections between neurons (nervous system cells). Over time, this can help the brain:
• Build new pathways
• Strengthen existing networks
• Compensate for areas affected by injury

Factors that help the brain adapt and recover include:
• Consistent therapy and rehabilitation
• Physical activity and movement
• Quality sleep
• Learning new skills
• Social connection

Recovery takes time, but the brain is capable of change. 🌱

Check out the Haley Brain Wellness Program website (https://ufhealthjax.org/brain-wellness/), or give us a call at (904) 244-3289 to learn more about the ways we help veterans and first responders dealing with a history of brain injury.

03/16/2026

Although we strive to raise awareness of brain injury and brain health every week, International Brain Awareness Week is a unique opportunity to shine a light on the importance of brain-related scientific research!

With 86 billion neurons packed together inside your head, the brain presents endless opportunities for asking and answering new questions. The team at the Haley Brain Wellness program is proud to take part in scientific research (including a recent publication – details coming soon!)

Take a moment this week to appreciate the complexity of your brain – it's what makes you, you! 🧠

03/12/2026

You asked, we answered: What happens to the brain in a concussion?

In honor of Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month, we are focusing on the most common type of traumatic brain injury (TBI): concussion, or mild TBI.

Let us know what topic you'd like to explore next!

Address

1833 Boulevard POB, 3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL
32206

Website

https://ufhealthjax.org/brain-wellness

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