Dr. Pam Cobler, the Reed Creek District representative on the Henry County Board of Supervisors, was formally sworn in as a member of the Virginia Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative (VACNI) Advisory Board on Tuesday, July 22.
Dr. Pam Cobler (right) was sworn in by Henry County Circuit Court Clerk Jennifer Ashworth (left) as part of the Virginia Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative (VACNI) Advisory Board.
Cobler was sworn in by Henry County Circuit Court Clerk Jennifer Ashworth to a four-year term that will end on June 30, 2029.
According to the VACNI website, Virginia is committed to improving the treatment and care of residents with traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries. The Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Trust Fund, administered by a governor-appointed advisory board, provides periodic grant funding to Virginia-based organizations, institutions, and researchers. The board disburses the funds through a grant application process for research proposals and innovative community-based rehabilitation programs.
Cobler said she will continue to serve on the board of supervisors while also fulfilling her duties with VACNI.
“I can do some things virtually and go to Richmond some, I definitely will choose to do both. It’s a once a month commitment,” she said.
Cobler said she was recommended for the role by a Virginia legislator, and ultimately appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
“I was asked to submit my resume, and then after that they called. So, they do have all of my information. I’ve served five governors, but I haven’t served Governor Youngkin because I knew I was going to run for this office (board of supervisors), so I was concentrating more on this,” she said.
Cobler said she’s glad and thrilled to now serve Youngkin, even though his term is nearing its end.
“Then of course it will last for the next governor as well, but I feel it’s the least I could do for the Commonwealth. Like I said, I have served in capacities before, but not with him” and not in this position, she said.
Cobler said her goal in the role is to help others facing experiences similar to her own.
“To accomplish it, it’s important work because I’ve been there and I know what people and their families are going through when they have had a traumatic injury,” she said.
Outside of the appointment, Cobler is involved with Wheel Love, a spinal cord injury support group based in Southwest Virginia. She has also done peer support and worked with trauma units.
“Specifically, also as Miss Wheelchair Virginia I was really involved and also as a CEO of the Wilson Workforce Rehabilitation Center Foundation in traveling statewide to hospitals to acute cares, and I do get calls to help people who have sustained an injury,” she said.
Cobler also provides consultations for the Disability Rights and Resource Center as part of her job.
“I will be a professional individual who is representing people who have had spinal cord injuries. Then as a local elected official, I can bring not only my personal experience, but all the professional stuff, and to accomplish this is just to work on the advisory board team,” she said.
Cobler said the board includes doctors such as neurologists and neurosurgeons.
“One I think is from VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University), so I think I’ll fit in nicely and just bring my experience to the team,” she said.
