Conference Speakers

COL(R) Dallas Hack M.D. served as the Director of the US Army Combat Casualty Care Research Program and Chair of the Joint Program Committee for Combat Casualty Care from 2008 to 2014 where he coordinated more than $2 billion of leading-edge research focused on new techniques and products to save the lives and reduce the morbidity of troops injured in the line of duty. A major responsibility included a portfolio of more than 600 projects directed at Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). As an author of the 2013 National Research Action Plan, he helped develop a strategic action plan to solve the fundamental problems in TBI, initiating major efforts across the continuum of care. Specific advances sponsored include biomarkers, neuroimaging, quantitative EEG, neuroplasticity, and comprehensive concussion treatment modalities. The NCAA-DoD Grand Alliance was established under his leadership as the largest-ever study of concussion that is comprehensively evaluating the natural history of concussion and is fundamentally changing protocols for concussion management. He also co-developed the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium which is the largest-ever study of the long-term effects of TBI. To facilitate the regulatory success of TBI Clinical Trials, Dr. Hack conceptualized the TBI Endpoints Development (TED) program which is developing improved endpoints for clinical trials.

He held numerous military medical leadership positions including Commander of the NATO Headquarters Healthcare Facility, and Command Surgeon at the strategic level during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. COL(R) Hack received numerous military awards including the Bronze Star, two Legion of Merit awards, and was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the Military Order of Medical Merit. He has a BA from Andrews University, a MPH from Johns Hopkins University, a MD from Loma Linda University, a MSS from the US Army War College, and a CPE from the Certifying Commission in Medical Management. He was recognized as the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by Loma Linda University in May 2015 and is a Fellow in the American College of Military Public Health. He holds adjunct professor positions at the University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Commonwealth University. After completing his military career, Dr. Hack has continued his service by advising numerous organizations to solve the problems of Trauma Related Brain Disorders and transition the progress to improved clinical practice.