STAR Health at the University of Delaware and Christiana Care Health System have partnered to create the STAR Health Concussion Clinic, and its first official day is Tuesday, June 6.

The clinic, which provides concussion treatment and management services for anyone 13 years of age and older, promotes a safe return to sport, work and play. To make an appointment, call 302-831-3195.

“This is especially important for the youth athletes in the community,” explained Tom Kaminski, concussion researcher and director of UD’s Athletic Training Program. “There is a strong need to educate and protect our most precious resources in young, developing brains.”

Housed in STAR Health’s Nurse Managed Primary Care Center, the Concussion Clinic is connected to offer comprehensive physical therapy and speech-language pathology services as part of an interdisciplinary approach to concussion treatment and management.

“The partnership allows community athletes access to the same level of care as UD Athletics, which is based on the latest research, including our work at UD,” said Thomas Buckley, concussion researcher and assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology.

Powered by UD nurse practitioners and Christiana Care sports medicine physicians, the clinic features easy accessibility to qualified medical professional for initial and follow-up visits. STAR Health also boasts referrals to certified athletic trainers to support youth and interscholastic athletes.

“Concussions have become a significant health condition that impacts people of all ages in various settings,” said Christiana Care’s Dr. Brad Sandella, director of sports medicine. “I am truly excited to be part of a partnership that will provide cutting-edge care to patients in a state-of-art facility while working along top researchers attempting to gain a better understanding of this pervasive condition.”

As the management of concussions (especially those that are sport-related) evolves, it is critical for all members of the health care delivery team to stay up-to-date on the latest in research and care. As a collaborative effort, the clinic will combine expertise and provide an opportunity for clinicians, researchers and students to work together and offer high-quality health care services.

“The Nurse Managed Primary Care Center is excited to expand our expertise with the launch of our new Concussion Clinic, which utilizes evidence-based practice to improve both the level of care and outcomes for our patients,” said Carolyn Haines, director of the Nurse Managed Primary Care Center.

Backed by research

The University of Delaware is one of lead schools in the NCAA-Department of Defense Grand Alliance CARE Consortium, a massive, longitudinal study on the natural history of a concussion. Nationally, more than 23,000 student-athletes and military service academy students around the country are enrolled. UD’s research team is led by Buckley and Kaminski, who is also professor of kinesiology and applied physiology at UD.

“The STAR Health Concussion Clinic will provide an excellent environment, whereby concussion care is delivered and the science and understanding of the natural progression of concussion can be studied,” added Kaminski.

About STAR Health

STAR Health is the public-facing healthcare entity of the University of Delaware College of Health Sciences, where combining research and education lead to a new direction in healthcare. Comprehensive clinical services are open to the public, including primary care, nutrition counseling, exercise counseling, health coaching, physical therapy and speech-language-hearing services.