A concussion awareness and education seminar was held at Penn State Berks campus on Saturday, June 4, 2016. The event was organized by Penn State Health St. Joseph’s and Wyomissing Optometric Center. Participants included physician, athletic trainers, nurse practitioners, nurses, and clinicians. CEU credits were offered to those in attendance. The speakers were individually and collectively impressive. The agenda included:
Damion Martins, MD
Concussion “Pearls”: Assess, Predict, Return to Play
Jeffrey A Zlotnick, MD
Concussion 2016: How did we get here and where are we going?
Kenneth L. Hill, Jr., MD, FAANS
When is it MORE than a Concussion?
Heidi L. Sensenig, O.D., M.S., OTR/L
Post-Concussion Visual Dysfunction: What Can We Do?
The event concluded with a panel discussion – Concussion Management at Penn State Health.
We wish to extend our sincerest thank you to everyone involved in making this event a success. Concussion awareness is vitally important to our community. We would especially to thank our speakers for sharing their knowledge and expertise! Here is a brief overview of their accomplishments:
Damion Martins, MD
Director, Executive Health, Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Program Director, Sports Medicine Fellowship – Atlantic Health System
Director of Internal Medicine – New York Jets
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine and Orthopedics – Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Damion Martins, MD, is board-certified in sports medicine and internal medicine. He is the director of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and the Executive Health Program for Atlantic Health System.
A recognized leader in the area of sports performance and exercise testing, Dr. Martins lectures extensively in the field of sports medicine and is renowned for his research in hydration, cardiovascular training program and concussions. He is currently involved in several research studies and has developed cardiovascular training programs widely used in the fitness industry and corporate wellness. He has authored book chapters on the pre-participation exam and medical conditions that limit sports participation. Dr. Martins is a member of the NFL Team Physician Society. As a former NHL Team Physician and member of the NHL Advisory Committee, he was instrumental in the development of the current National Hockey League’s pre-participation guidelines.
Dr. Martins has dual academic appointments at Mount Sinai School of Medicine as assistant clinical professor in the departments of both medicine and orthopedics. He has extensive experience in Sports Medicine, serving as the administrative medical director for Major League Soccer (MLS) and providing medical coverage to the US Open, New York Islanders, New York Dragons, Hofstra University, and St. Elizabeth’s College. Dr. Martins is the team physician for the New York Jets where he has served as a medical consultant since 2002. Dr. Martins is also currently a medical advisor for New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association and Parisi Speed School.
He graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine where he also obtained his Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and Biophysics. He completed residency training in internal medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center. He completed a fellowship in sports medicine at the University of Maryland, where he served as fellow team physician for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland’s Terps.
Jeffrey A Zlotnick, MD
Family Practice and Sports Medicine
Penn State Health St. Joseph
Dr. Zlotnick received his MD degree from the UMDNJ – New Jersey Medical School, completed his Residency in Family Medicine at Franklin Square Hospital / MedStar in Baltimore, Maryland and earned his CAQ certification in Sports Medicine in 1993.
Dr. Zlotnick started in solo practice in Vernon NJ, then many years in academic Family Medicine at Warren Hospital, Phillipsburg NJ and Somerset Medical Center, Somerville NJ, and part-time faculty at the Capital Health Family Medicine Residency Program, Trenton NJ while also serving as the Medical Director at Patient First, Bethlehem PA. Currently, he is a faculty member at the Penn State Health / St Joseph’s Family Medicine Residency in Reading PA
Dr. Zlotnick has faculty appointments at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Zlotnick is a nationally recognized lecturer speaking on various sports medicine topics at the American Academy of Family Physicians Annual Assembly, the National Conference for Family Medicine Residents and Students, and many state conferences.
Dr. Zlotnick is most proud of his being the Clinical Director and developer of the MedFest program; a joint initiative between Special Olympics NJ and the NJ Academy of Family Physicians.
Kenneth Hill, MD
Neurosurgeon
Penn State Hershey and Penn State Health St. Joseph
Dr. Hill earned his bachelors in Chemistry at Lincoln University (PA) and his Medical Degree from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. He completed a General Surgery Internship and Neurological Surgery Residency at The Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where he was also the Chief Neurological Surgery Resident. He also completed a fellowship in Neuro-Oncology and Skull-base surgery at Emory Health Care, Emery University, Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Hill specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system including congenital anomalies, trauma, tumors of the brain and spine, infections, stroke and degenerative diseases of the neck and back. His clinical research interests are focused on diagnosis, imaging and surgical resection of primary and secondary tumors of the brain and spine. Dr. Hill is board certified in Neurological Surgery and is an Associate Professor on faculty at Pennsylvania State Hershey.
Heidi L. Sensenig, O.D., M.S., OTR/L
Neuro-Rehabilitative Optometry
Wyomissing Optometric Center
Dr. Sensenig earned a B.S. in Occupational Therapy at Elizabethtown College. After practicing as an OT at the Neuro Service at Hershey Medical Center for several years, Dr. Sensenig went on to earn a B.S. in Visual Science, an M.S. in Low Vision Rehabilitation and an O.D. degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in Philadelphia. She serves as a member of the Allied Health Medical Staff at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center (inpatient consults and Emergency Department eye care).
Dr. Sensenig practices primary eye care with special interest in neuro-ophthalmic and binocular vision disorders, low vision rehabilitation and pediatric eye care. She is recognized for her expertise in improving visual function in patients who suffer from stroke, traumatic brain injury, post-concussion syndrome and visually related learning disorders. Dr. Sensenig is uniquely qualified academically and clinically to work with the rehabilitative team to diagnose and treat those who suffer from concussion. Dr. Sensenig has lectured to medical professionals, teachers, athletic trainers and members of the community on various topics related to visual function and vision rehabilitation. She most recently lectured to the Penn State Berks occupational therapy students on the role of vision in the rehabilitation process. She is active in a number of community and state organizations including the Vision Resource Center of Berks County as a member of their Board of Directors, and the Pennsylvania Injury and Violence Prevention Network as a member of the Falls Prevention and Traumatic Brain Injury committees.
Thank you to everyone in attendance at this outstanding event.
Left to right: Jeffrey A Zlotnick, MD; Heidi L. Sensenig, O.D., M.S., OTR/L; Kenneth L. Hill, Jr., MD, FAANS; Damion Martins, MD