Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center

CONCUSSION MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY

Whether it's Niagara University hockey, lacrosse at Niagara County Community College or Wolverine football, or one of the numerous sports programs participated in by hundreds of local youngsters, access to modern, comprehensive sports medicine programs offered by Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center greatly benefits the community.

Even when playing by the rules, sports injuries occur. A clean football tackle, a good hockey check, even an unintended fall or collision during a pick-up basketball game can result in what's called "traumatic brain injury" or concussion.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 135,000 children and teens between the ages of 5 and 18 suffer a traumatic brain injury during sports activities in this country annually.

The medical establishment has recently taken a second look at concussion, newly recognizing it as a serious medical condition requiring appropriate diagnostic and treatment procedures, as opposed to past practice, when a young athlete was more often than not advised to "shake it off" and get back in the game.

At the forefront of the new emphasis on concussion is Tony Surace, NFMMC's director of Sports Medicine at its Competitive EDGE Sports Performance facility, located at the hospital's Summit Healthplex in Wheatfield. The Concussion Clinic run by Surace at that convenient location is one of only two in all of Western New York, the other being at the University of Buffalo.

According to Surace, the medical approach toward concussion has changed significantly over the past couple years.

"It used to be, 'Do you have a headache? Do you have dizziness? Nausea? How do you feel?' Those are the standard symptoms someone may have when suffering from a concussion," said Surace, who also serves as the Memorial-affiliated athletic trainer at Niagara Falls High School. "On average, it takes two to three weeks before it is safe for someone with typical symptoms to return to activity."

Concussion is defined as the immediate and temporary deterioration of mental functioning due to trauma. Athletes who have ever had a concussion are at increased risk for another concussion, and children and teens are not only more likely to suffer concussion than adults, but also take longer to recover.

Few scenarios are scarier to parents and coaches than concussion as it occurs on the playing field.

"Basically, the brain impacts one side of the cranium (skull), and now it's injured," Surace said.

Niagara Cup Classic raises nearly $45000 for Memorial Medical Center

Tournament co-chair Ron Campbell, Buffalo Sabres alumnus Rene Robert, Sandro Borgese and Don McLeod were the winning foursome (pictured at right). Women's all-star champions were Phyllis Moore, Patty Berggren, Patty McPherson and Lori Michael. Ken Blazick captured first-place honors for gross score with a 66.

This year’s tournament included a tribute to the Buffalo Sabres’ Rick Martin, a longtime Memorial supporter who died unexpectedly in March. The tribute included a donation by the medical center to Compass House, Martin’s favorite charity.

Community service plan 2001-2002

Congressional Record (Bound Volumes), Volume 150

Mammography Centers Directory

Let's Go USA

Hospital liability