Sitrin Partners with Herkimer College-Collaboration Expands Student Knowledge of Concussion Management
Students enrolled in the Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) program at Herkimer College are receiving specialized training at the Sitrin Medical Rehabilitation Center to allow them to conduct free baseline screens for athletes. An essential component to concussion management, baseline screening involves gathering data on how athletes (individuals) think and how well they maintain their balance. “These two areas are vital and allow therapists to individualize return-to-play decisions for athletes,” said Dr. James Wallace, director of clinical rehabilitation services at Sitrin. “There are many athletes in our community and the demand exists to address this missing link.”
A leading expert of baseline concussion testing and post-concussion treatment, Wallace implemented Sitrin’sEquili-BRAIN-ium Concussion Management Network several years ago. He and his concussion management team have performed hundreds of baseline tests and post-concussion assessments. They use an evidence-based approach, assessing both the physical and cognitive aspects of concussion. The team’s goal is to return athletes to competition as safely as possible, as well as offer the most current and effective treatments for any athlete sustaining a concussion.
Sitrin’s expansive rehabilitation therapy gym and its wellness center provide the optimal environment for Herkimer College PTA students. In addition to learning how to conduct baseline screens for local athletes and providing this service at no cost, the students have the unique opportunity to increase their knowledge of concussions and address a widespread need in the community. “The partnership between Sitrin and Herkimer College provides our Physical Therapist Assistant students a program of supervised clinical training that will instruct them as to how to work with a therapist to conduct baseline screenings for athletes, increasing their knowledge of concussions,” said Michael Oriolo, dean of students. “At the same time, these students are provided an opportunity to participate in the community, addressing the baseline testing needs for local athletes.”
Wallace and Karen Jones, assistant professor at Herkimer College, developed this program. “I am always open to enhancing the learning experiences of PTA students at Herkimer College,” said Jones. “I am very excited about this opportunity to collaborate with a local facility in a way that the students can help to make a difference within the community.” Twenty-three students have been participating in this program for several weeks. “This partnership improves access, care, and most importantly, maximizes the health and safety of the community’s greatest asset – its children,” said Wallace. “Sitrin is truly appreciative of this effort; my team is excited to have Herkimer College as part of Sitrin’s Concussion Management Network.”