Croke Park is to host Ireland’s second National Concussion Symposium on October 7th.
Leading concussion experts from UPMC in the United States, Bon Secours Health System in Ireland and sporting figures from the GAA will join together to share the best practices, protocols and treatment of concussion today.
The event will feature a panel discussion involving All Ireland winning Manager with Dublin Dr Pat O’Neill, Tipperary Hurling Doctor Brendan Murphy and All Star Oisín McConville sharing their own experiences of concussion from their various involvements at all levels as players, team doctors and managers.
“The awareness, identification and treatment of Concussion is very important and I am very proud to be working in conjunction with UPMC the international leaders in this area and also the GAA who are showing considerable leadership in the identification and treatment of Concussion,” said Bill Maher CEO of Bon Secours Health System speaking at Croke Park yesterday.
“Bon Secours Health System is delighted to be associated with this flagship event the second year running bringing together experts in their field from across Ireland and the United States to ‘Make the Call'”.
The UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program is a global leader in testing, treating, and researching sports-related concussions. With over 17,000 patient visits each year, more than 30 staff members treat high school, college, and professional athletes from across the United States.
UPMC’s program is a leading source for concussion research, with nearly 200 peer-reviewed concussion research studies. Centres throughout the United States have adopted the UPMC program’s standard of concussion care.
Any level of a concussion can be a serious medical issue that requires prompt care by a health professional trained in managing concussions. To avoid repeat injury, it is crucial to manage concussions until complete recovery.
“No two concussions are exactly the same,” said Dr Mickey Collins of UPMC who will be speaking on the day.
“We use a multidisciplinary team approach to help the brain recover and allow the patient to return to their sport, classroom, or other activities.”
The GAA has been at the forefront of concussion awareness and education in sport in Ireland, and is inviting all current Senior Inter-County Gaelic Football and Hurling Team Doctors and Physios to the symposium.
“We are delighted to welcome back our friends from both Bon Secours Health System and UPMC to Croke Park after the success of last year’s event,” said GAA President, Aogán Ó Fearghail.
“The relationships that were formed have led to another fantastic opportunity to share learning on this injury, and particularly in relation to the treatment of concussion. This event allows a unique opportunity for learning from the assembled experts for the doctors and physios who treat our players and will also help the association to continue to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of concussion and our key message to coaches and mentors – If in Doubt, Sit them out.”
The GAA is one of the more than 220 organisations that play an active part of the Sport for Business community.
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