Heather has been part of the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) since 2011, first joining the Brain Injury & Recovery Team as a contractor before transitioning to full-time staff in 2019. She initially served as the Program Specialist for the Brain Injury & Recovery–TBI Program, where she earned her certification as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. In June 2022, Heather stepped into her current role as the WDVA Brain Injury & Recovery–TBI Program Manager.
Before joining WDVA, Heather served 22 years in the U.S. Army, beginning on Active Duty, then continuing her service in the U.S. Army Reserves, and ultimately transitioning to the Washington Army National Guard. She began her military career as a Combat Engineer before reclassing into Transportation for her final six years. Heather retired in 2014 from the Washington Army National Guard’s 1041st Transportation Company, where she served as the Training NCO.
Heather represents WDVA on the Washington State TBI Council and serves on the board of Brain Shift NW (formerly the Brain Injury Alliance of WA–Spokane).
Heather and her husband, Steve, have five children, four sons and one daughter. Their family is deeply connected to the brain injury community in Washington State. Steve is a TBI survivor from his own military service in the Washington Army National Guard, where he and Heather met and married 19 years ago. Their lived experience continues to shape Heather’s commitment to supporting Veterans, families, and communities impacted by brain injury.
HeatherLynn Bahme, CBIS
Brain Injury & Recovery-TBI Program Manager
Counseling & Wellness Program
Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
“Serving Those Who Served”
509-828-0449
heather.bahme@dva.wa.govWebsite- Brain Injury & Recovery-TBI Program | WDVA
