The Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes has provided over 50,000 concussion and cardiac screenings to student-athletes.
For 15 years, the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes (MJM), an initiative of RWJBarnabas Health, has been advancing safety in sports through many programs and screenings.
Annually, 300,000 concussions occur because of sports-related injury annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Offering one of the most comprehensive pre-season screening and concussion management centers in the state, MJM has provided more than 50,000 concussion and cardiac screenings to youth sports athletes since 2010.
"This milestone reflects our long-standing commitment to keeping athletes safe, informed, and ready to compete," said Dr. Jason Krystofiak, section chief, Sports Medicine at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and Medical Director of the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes at RWJBarnabas Health. "What started as a small initiative to offer cardiac and concussion baseline testing has evolved into the state’s leading program that serves the full spectrum of sports-related health needs for athletes at all levels."
MJM 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 more than 30 primary, secondary and NCAA partnerships across the state.
On Sept. 7, MJM will offer free cardiac and concussion baseline screenings to young athletes from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at South Mountain Recreation Complex, Codey Arena, located at 560 Northfield Ave. in West Orange.
"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," Krystofiak said. "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."
When preliminary testing to identify serious cardiac problems is identified in young athletes, sudden cardiac arrest and tragic deaths may be avoided.
"Nearly 90 % of sudden cardiac deaths in young athletes occur during or after athletic activities, and hidden heart conditions are often the cause," Krystofiak said. "Cardiac screening, open to 6- to 18-year-olds, will help to identify players who may require further testing or intervention."
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.
"If an athlete is believed to have suffered a head injury, this screening test may be used to evaluate severity and determine when it is safe to return to play," Krystofiak said.
Screenings are free of charge and a parent or guardian is asked to be present.
Founded with a mission to safeguard the health and future of student-athletes, MJM began by offering free concussion and cardiac screenings, targeting a critical need in youth sports. The program initially launched in Livingston and has since become a resource for families across the state.
"Having easily accessible, clinically excellent cardiac and concussion screening resources is invaluable to all parents who want to ensure health and safety for their families," said Richard Davis, president and CEO of Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
"We are incredibly proud of the growth and impact the Center has had over the last 10+ years," said Diana Toto, administrative director, Sports Medicine. "Reaching 50,000 concussion and cardiac screenings is not just a number − it represents thousands of young lives we’ve had the opportunity to help protect and care for. We’ve built something truly meaningful and essential for the communities we serve."
In 2010 when MJM began, the program averaged 400 screenings per year and had two to three partners. Today, the MJM performs more than 5,000 screenings annually and has significantly expanded its services. It has grown into a regional leader in sports-related health, providing sports injury assessment, evaluation, training education and return to play care to athletes of all ages and abilities. MJM partners with more than 30 primary, secondary and NCAA programs across New Jersey and works with elite athletes from across the globe.
"We are profoundly grateful to the Morahan family for their extraordinary vision and generosity to create this Center," said Mark Manigan, President and CEO, RWJBarnabas Health. "Their commitment to give back enabled us to reach this milestone creating an amazing legacy honoring Matthew J. Morahan III."
In addition to its robust screening programs, MJM has been at the forefront of education and outreach, hosting hundreds of seminars for coaches, parents, and students, covering topics from concussion awareness to cardiac health and injury prevention strategies.
MJM's team includes board-certified sports medicine physicians, certified athletic trainers, and cardiac professionals working together to ensure comprehensive care. It continues to grow, fostering partnerships with schools, community organizations, and athletic programs to provide access to top-tier sports medical care. Today, MJM provides physician oversight, screening and injury management services to many of the state’s top athletic programs, including Rutgers University, Seton Hall University, and the New Jersey Devils.
"As we look to the future, our focus remains on innovation and continuing to raise the bar for sports safety and care," Krystofiak said.
At MJM, a multidisciplinary approach using top experts in their field provides athletes with the best approach to a safe recovery. The concussion program has been recognized for its trademarked approach to care, the MORAHAN CAARPTM (Comprehensive Academic Active Recovery Plan). Under MORAHAN CAARPTM, the Center regularly organizes and conducts classes, seminars, conferences, and workshops for medical treatment protocols and advanced care planning in the field of acute concussion recovery.
For more information or to request an appointment at The Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes, call 973-322-7913 or https://www.rwjbh.org/treatment-care/athlete-screenings/. To register for MJM’s next Cardiac and Concussion Screening for Young Athletes on Sept. 13 in West Orange, go to rwjbh.org/events.
email: [email protected]
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning feature, news and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: [email protected] or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: RWJBarnabas marks milestone in NJ student-athlete cardiac screenings
Category: General Sports
