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Backus Hospital is partnering with local coaches, former pro athletes, radio personalities, parents and their children to minimize the impact of concussion in youth sports.
Concussion Forum
Big crowd attends
discussion on concussion
Approximately 90 people – from East Lyme to Killingly – attended a recent youth sports concussion forum at Backus Hospital.
Approximately 90 people – from East Lyme to Killingly – attended a recent youth sports concussion forum at Backus Hospital. Attendees included coaches, athletes and parents – all seeking information on the signs and symptoms of concussions, which impact 3 million young athletes in the United States each year.
Anthony Alessi, MD, Backus neurologist and sports neurology consultant, talks to coaches and parents during a presentation at Backus about concussion and youth sports.
On July 1, the state enacted a law requiring high school coaches to receive training on concussions. However, there is no law requiring training at the youth sports level, which is why Backus offered the forum.
Anthony Alessi, MD, a neurologist on the Backus Medical Staff and sports medicine consultant, was the presenter at the event. He said concussions at the youth sports level can be more severe than with older athletes, because their brains are in the developmental stage, they lack proper fundamentals and equipment might not be properly fitted.
“That’s why it is so important for us to have the tools to recognize a concussion early,” Dr. Alessi said. “We are putting America’s greatest assets at risk every time a young athlete takes the field.”
Those who attended the July 22 event praised Backus for offering the
program. Cassie Kury, RN, in Convenient Care at Backus and a football mom, was among them.
“We are excited about the effort that Backus Hospital is making to teach coaches, parents and players on the youth sports level about concussions,” said Ms. Kury, who along with Backus MIS staff member William Covey helped organize the event.
Dr. Alessi said the permanent brain damage that can be incurred makes ongoing education well worth it.
“The best treatment for a concussion is early recognition and rest,” he said.