Miami Dolphins Foundation partners with the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute to sponsor Baseline Concussion testing for Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ high school athletics program
Program to impact more than 15,000 high school students’ athletes.
By Sydney Wade
MIAMI, FL — The Miami Dolphins Foundation, through their revamped Youth Programs platform, has partnered with the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute and KiDZ Neuroscience Center at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis to sponsor The University of Miami Countywide Concussion Care High School Program for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. In all, the program will impact more than 15,000 high school student-athletes per year.
“We are excited to aid student-athletes, parents and coaches of all sports in working with the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute to help identify, treat and establish protocols on concussions and reinforce health and safety standards,” said Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Communications & Community Affairs Jason Jenkins. “Sports play such an important role in character development and teach positive lessons of teamwork, physical and mental toughness, resilience and competiveness.”
The University of Miami Countywide Concussion Care High School Program was established in 2012. The program followed the passing of the Florida Youth Concussion Legislation, a state law that requires that any student-athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion must immediately be pulled from the playing field and receive medical clearance to return to play. Initial funds were raised through The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis by Ransom Everglades School to assist with the running of the program. Over the years, the program has expanded to include all contact high school sports in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
“Our team is excited about this partnership with the Miami Dolphins,” said Gillian Hotz, M.D., Director of the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute’s concussion program. “Their understanding of the importance of education, safety and concussion management in high school sports enables us to provide a safer playing field for local student athletes.”
The Countywide Concussion Care High School Program includes a 6 STEPS TO PLAY SAFE protocol that is managed by a multidisciplinary team of experts in neurology, neurosurgery, neuroscience, ENT, physical therapy and neuropsychology. An annual education and training workshop is provided by a multidisciplinary medical team for all high school athletic trainers and athletic directors prior to each football season to update their knowledge of the protocol and concussion management. In addition, concussion education is provided to all high school football teams through video and classroom discussions.
As part of this relationship, the Dolphins will take part in the annual concussion seminar on Aug. 2 at the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute at The Lennar Foundation Medical Center.
Additionally, the Miami Dolphins Youth Programs have sponsored a high school training program at Norland High School for the last two years, partnered with USA Football to cover the cost of training for all coaches that take part in Player Safety Coach (PSC) certifications and have hosted area youth and high school boys and girls football teams to watch off season practices and take part in character building sessions.
