Provided by Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center at RWJBarnabas Health
The Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes (Morahan Center) at RWJBarnabas Health will provide free cardiac and concussion baseline screenings to young athletes on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at South Mountain Recreation Complex, Codey Arena, 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ.
“These screenings, offered through The Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes, help families take a proactive approach to concussion and cardiac issues in our young athletes,” explained Jason Krystofiak, MD, the program’s medical director and a provider with RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. “The goal is not to terrify people with statistics, but to try to protect young athletes and allow them to safely do the things they love to do,” he added.
When preliminary testing to identify serious cardiac problems is identified in young athletes, sudden cardiac arrest and tragic deaths may be avoided. “Nearly 90 percent of sudden cardiac deaths in young athletes occur during or after athletic activities, and hidden heart conditions are often the cause. Cardiac screening, open to 6-to 18-year-olds, will help to identify players who may require further testing or intervention,” Dr. Krystofiak explained.
FDA-approved ImPACT Pediatric® concussion screenings are available to young athletes, ages 5 and older (until recently, the screening was only available to those ages 10 and above). Having a concussion baseline study (ImPACT) can help identify issues in the future. ImPACT Pediatric is an iPad-based computerized test that is individually and easily administered as well as engaging for children, while effectively measuring neurocognitive function. Dr. Krystofiak said, “If an athlete is believed to have suffered a head injury, this screening test may be used to evaluate the severity and determine when it is safe to return to play.”
The Morahan Center provides education, assessment and evaluation of sports injury and sports-related cardiac and concussion screening. Offering one of the most comprehensive pre-season screening and concussion management centers in New Jersey, the center partners with over 30 primary, secondary and NCAA partnerships across the state of New Jersey and has provided nearly 50,000 screenings to youth sports athletes since 2010.
Screenings are free of charge and a parent or guardian is asked to be present. An appointment is required. To request an appointment time, parents/guardians are asked to visit our online events calendar.
For more information about the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes, visit rwjbh.org/morahan or call 973-322-7913.