CBIST Spotlight: Dr. Sheldon Herring
Categories: ACBIS Insider
Sheldon Herring, Ph.D., CBIST is the current Chair of the Board of Governors for the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS). He specializes in the neuropsychological sequelae of traumatic brain injury, stroke, and related neurological disorders. He serves as the Clinical Director of the Outpatient Traumatic Brain Injury and Young Stroke Programs of Roger C. Peace Rehab Hospital, part of Prisma Health, Greenville SC. Dr. Herring is also the Chief of the Division of Behavioral, Social and Population Health Sciences, University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville.
Why have you chosen a career in brain injury? What are you most passionate about in the field?
Many neuropsychologists focus their careers on the diagnostic role of testing. As a neuropsychologist in training, I was more interested in how to apply knowledge of a person’s cognitive abilities or challenges in the real-world setting. Rehabilitation done well is a real-world activity. My passion is keeping it real while at the same time using good science to drive us by working side by side with the entire rehab team. I see neuropsychology as helping the entire team.
Why is having your CBIST important and helpful to you in your daily work?
Brain injury rehabilitation can be one of the most complex fields within medicine. As such we are all always both student and teacher. The CBIST mindset is one of translating knowledge into application and facilitates being open to learning from and with the persons we serve. The practice of evidence-based medicine includes not only research-based interventions but also drawing on the experience of the clinician with the input of the person served, all of which are built on the knowledge reflected in being a Certified Brain Injury Specialist.
As the current Chair of the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) Board of Governors, you help identify the education needs within our field. What do you see as some of the top education and training needs within our field?
I see two areas of emphasis: First, how to apply good learning theory to all that we do, similar to what’s outlined in the book “Optimizing Cognitive Rehabilitation,” and how to apply mindfulness principles to ourselves and clients. Research has shown that the core teaching and educational principles that apply to “normal” brains are also critical to sound rehab interventions. All of us should strive to also be good teachers. The second element is learning how to bring the principles of mindfulness into our daily practice. Rehab, although rewarding work, can be stressful. Our ability to stay centered in our core values can help us be more aware of the impact of stress and to be supportive of one another.
What are you most excited about regarding the current field of brain injury rehabilitation?
I am encouraged by the fact that even in the face of continued changes and restrictions in funding and policy, CBISs and CBISTs every day are figuring out unique ways to provide person-centered care. I am also excited that our potential to contribute to an even broader range of persons such as COVID and cancer survivors is being recognized.