Concussion Consortium Meets To Bring Awareness To Youth Sports Safety

ANNAPOLIS, Md., April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, April 25, more than 30 professionals participated in a conference of the Maryland-based Concussion Consortium to bring awareness to sports-related concussions. The pioneering task force, formed more than a year ago by Robert G. Graw, Jr., M.D., CEO and Chief Pediatrician of Righttime Medical Care, includes orthopedists, emergency physicians, pediatricians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, neuro-optometrists, athletic coaches, trainers, physical and rehabilitative therapists, school administrators and nurses from Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard and Baltimore Counties in Maryland.

The Consortium serves as a forum for sharing expertise, highlighting resources for concussion treatment, and helping families navigate the complex road to recovery from concussion. Its members will continue to communicate via a newly established online forum. New scientific developments showing the long-term dangers of concussion, as well as a state law passed last year mandating concussion protection for student-athletes, were catalysts for starting the Concussion Consortium.

"I felt that bringing together all of the knowledge and experience of those who have been working on this scientific issue for years, as well as those who are so involved with children's health in the local community, would provide an opportunity for learning and coordination of resources for families," said Dr. Graw. "As we learn more about the complexity and frequency of brain injuries, it is important to increase access to local expertise and ramp up the dialogue on the subject."

Presenting at the meeting was Gerard A. Gioia, Ph.D., of Children's National Medical Center, who spoke about taking a team approach to managing head injuries. Bryan Pugh of the Brain Injury Association of Maryland introduced the subject, emphasizing the importance of taking concussions and their treatment seriously. Also attending were Martin R. Eichelberger, M.D., of Children's National Medical Center, Milford H. Marchant, Jr., M.D., of MedStar Harbor Hospital, and others from the greater Baltimore-Washington area.

"We are fortunate that so many people are interested in helping families, and gratified at the high level of participation so far," commented Dr. Graw. "We anticipate that the Consortium can serve as a model for communication and cooperation in other communities across the nation for sharing information and expertise among individuals who are critical to helping children recover from concussions."

The next meeting of the Concussion Consortium will be held on May 5, when experts from the University of Pittsburgh will discuss pre- and post-injury neurocognitive assessment testing for concussion and issues related to return to play. For information, visit www.concussionconsortium.com.

About HeadFirst Sports Injury and Concussion Care
HeadFirst offers concussion education, including the Concussion Consortium, as well as pre- and post-injury cognitive assessment testing to help students and their families navigate the road to recovery, and make a safe return to play, following a sports-related concussion. For more information, visit www.myheadfirst.com.

Contact:
Ann-Marie Sedor 
443.332.4260 x8501 / [email protected]

SOURCE HeadFirst Sports Injury and Concussion Care