Concussions are a significant public health concern, and physical therapists play a crucial role in their rehabilitation and return to function. This course will equip Physical therapists and assistants with the skills to provide:Accurate Assessment: By understanding concussion profiles and utilizing the VOMS, therapists can effectively assess patients and identify potential underlying issues.Informed Treatment Planning: Knowledge of post-injury recommendations, including those for different patient populations, will enable therapists to develop tailored treatment plans that optimize recovery.Specialized Care for Blast Injuries: The course will provide insight into the unique challenges and considerations associated with blast injuries, allowing therapists to offer appropriate care to individuals with this type of injury.Prevention of Secondary Injuries: By understanding concussion sequelae that increase musculoskeletal risk, therapists and assistants can implement preventive strategies to minimize the likelihood of secondary injuries.Integration of Emerging Technologies: Familiarity with blood and imaging biomarkers will help therapists and assistants stay at the forefront of concussion care and potentially utilize these tools in their practice.Overall, this course will provide physical therapists and assistants with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance their ability to assess, manage, and optimize outcomes for patients with concussions, including those with blast injuries. 1CCU

At the conclusion of the course, participants will be able to:
1. Describe and differentiate concussion profiles;
2.Identify utilization of the VOMS;
3.Recognize where to find provider summaries to utilize in practice;
4.Describe current post-injury recommendations to optimize to return to life among different patient populations;
5.Describe and identify mechanisms of injury with blast injury;
6.Describe concussion sequelae that increase MSK risk of injury; and
7.Describe the current state of science for blood and imaging biomarkers.

Speaker(s)
Jennifer Penn, PT, is a tenured assistant professor at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. With over 15 years of experience in neurologic physical therapy, Dr. Penn has a deep understanding of various neurological conditions and their rehabilitation. She has held faculty positions at prestigious institutions such as the University of Southern California and Hawai'i Pacific University, where she has taught courses in patient management, movement analysis, and concussion management. Dr. Penn is also a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy and has extensive experience treating patients with conditions such as concussions, traumatic brain injuries, vestibular impairments, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries. Her research interests include interprofessional collaboration, telehealth, and the impact of social determinants of health on physical therapy utilization.

Sara Berrett, DPT, graduated from The University of the Incarnate Word with a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2023 and holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University. She is currently a Sports Physical Therapy Resident at UIW, providing care for 23 Division 1 NCAA sports. Sara has diverse clinical experience, including rotations in cardiopulmonary rehab in Italy and acute care at Houston Methodist. She is also the Musical Theatre Director at Kinetic Kids, where she creates inclusive performances for children with disabilities.

Lieutenant Colonel Carrie W. Hoppes, PT, PhD, NCS, OCS, ATC, CSCS, is a distinguished physical therapist and academic leader. She earned her PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 2017 and her DPT from U.S. Army-Baylor University in 2006. With extensive military education and experience, she has served in various high-profile roles, including Chief of Amputee Physical Therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Director of the Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy. Currently, she is a Senior Scientist at The Geneva Foundation and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Hoppes is also a board-certified specialist in both neurologic and orthopedic physical therapy, with numerous publications and professional contributions to her name.

Philip Van Dyke, PT, DPT, is a board-certified clinical specialist in both sports and orthopedic physical therapy, as well as a certified strength and conditioning specialist. He earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 2016 and is currently pursuing a PhD in Physical Therapy at Texas Women’s University. Philip serves as the Director of Sports Residency and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Physical Therapy. His professional experience includes roles at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and ATI Physical Therapy. Philip is actively involved in research and has presented at numerous national and international conferences.

Jacqueline Hua, PT, DPT, is currently a Sports Physical Therapy Resident at the University of the Incarnate Word, bringing a wealth of experience as a former Division 1 student-athlete. She holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and a B.A. in Psychology from Northwestern University. Her clinical experience spans treating athletes across 23 NCAA Division 1 teams and managing various sports-related injuries. Passionate about sports medicine, she is dedicated to providing holistic care and optimizing patient outcomes. Additionally, Jacqueline serves as an adjunct professor and engages in ongoing professional development through journal clubs and coursework.

Schedule
7:00-7:15 PM Describe and differentiate concussion profilesIdentify utilization of the VOMS
7:15-7:30 PM Recognize where to find provider summaries to utilize in practice.Describe current post-injury recommendations to optimize to return to life among different patient populations.
7:30-7:45 PM Describe and identify mechanisms of injury with blast injury.Describe concussion sequelae that increase MSK risk of injury.
7:45-8:00 PMDescribe the current state of science for blood and imaging biomarkers, Conclusions and FAQ's

Fees
Free

Additional Locations
NONE

Cancellation Policy 
N/A