Objectives
- Describe strategies utilized to establish trust amongst providers of different specialties, and how/when to involve others or refer out.
- Describe how the healthcare team can communicate to ensure the athlete is set up for success and when they should be removed from participation.
Summary
The panelists will summarize the themes from the presentations throughout the day. The discussion will focus on the roles and responsibilities of each member of the disciplinary team. Speakers on the panel consist of physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapist, and other members within the healthcare team. The panel will discuss topics including but not limited to communication among the healthcare team, communication with coaches, parent/guardian and athletic trainer, signs and symptoms on when to refer out discussed conditions, and how to acutely manage situations.
Moderated by:
Patricia Cordeiro, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS
Athletic Trainer, Mass General Brigham
Patricia Cordeiro has been a certified athletic trainer for over 30 years. Pat received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and a concentration in Athletic Training from Bridgewater State University. After working for 10 years, she continued her education at AT Still University in Arizona graduating with a Master of Science in Athletic Health Care. She previously worked with athletes of all levels of sport including professional, Olympic, collegiate, and performing arts. Currently, Pat is the Lead Athletic Trainer for Boston Public Schools providing athletic health care coverage in the Boston District and Mass General Brigham Care Navigator. She is passionate about injury prevention, education and athletic training outreach. Pat spends her free time hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Jonathan Jenkins, Psy.D, CMPC
Psychologist
Certified Mental Performance Consultant
Dr. Jenkins is a clinical psychologist and sport psychologist at Massachusetts General Hosptial. He is also the assistant director of psychology training and a member of the Harvard Medical School teaching community. Dr. Jenkins is heavily involved in MGH's Sport Psychology Program and has spent the past 10 years working with youth, amateur, collegiate, professional, Paralympic and Olympic athletes from across the country. Dr. Jenkins is entering his 9th season as the team clinical and performance psychologist for the New England Patriots and his 10th season as the Red Sox's behavioral sport psychologist. He authored a children's book, titled "Wednesday Afternoons with Dr. J," to help explain psychotherapy to a young audience and help tackle mental health stigma. Lastly, three years ago Jonathan co-founded No Bunkers No Bogeys Golf Club, an online golf community focused on leveraging golf for emotional wellness by prioritizing golfers connecting with themselves, with others, and with nature while on the course.
Sharl Azar, MD
Hematologist
Medical Director, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Center
Dr. Azar received his medical degree from Oregon Health & Science University, where he also completed a residency in internal medicine and fellowship in hematology and medical oncology, while also serving as chief fellow. He went on to complete an advanced fellowship in hemostasis and thrombosis at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Azar is passionate about the care of patients with SCD, thalassemia, and other hemoglobin disorders. His work focuses on improving systems of care and political advocacy for patients living with sickle cell disease to build a true medical home while combatting inequities in health care.
Stefani Kalos, MS, CCC-SLP
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist, Mass Eye and Ear
Stefani Kalos is a nationally certified and state licensed speech-language pathologist, specifically a voice and upper airway specialist, who practices at the Mass Eye and Ear Boston Main Campus. She has been working for Mass Eye and Ear since 2018 and is a senior member of the Voice and Speech Lab team. Stefani is the coordinator of the upper airway team and is a member of the Global Initiative for Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction.
James Sawalla Guseh, MD
Cardiologist
Director, Cardiovascular Performance Fellowship Program
Director, Cardiovascular Performance Program
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Dr. J. Sawalla Guseh is the director of the Cardiovascular Performance Program at Mass General Hospital (MGH), a leading program within Mass General Brigham's Sports Cardiology offerings. An alumnus of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, he has undergone extensive training in cardiology and sports cardiology at MGH. Dr. Guseh has specific expertise in athlete heart health and serves as team cardiologist for the New England Patriots and New England Revolution.
Claus Reinsberger, MD, PhD
Chief, Sports Neurology and Neurosciences, Mass General Brigham
Co-Director, Sport Concussion Program, Mass General Brigham
Dr. Claus Reinsberger is a board-certified neurologist and professor of sports medicine at Paderborn University (GER). He studied medicine at Ruhr-University, Bochum (GER), Galway (IRE) and Galveston (Tx, USA) before he finished his residency in neurology with specific focus on clinical neurophysiology in Nottwil (CH), Zuerich (CH) and Wuerzburg (GER). After a fellowship in clinical neurophysiology, he joined the faculty at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and became an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. When he moved to Germany in 2014, he became Germany’s first neurologist to serve as chair of sports medicine. In 2023, he moved back to Boston and was appointed as chief of Sports Neurology and Neurosciences at Mass General Brigham. His clinical and scientific interests consist of various topics within the field of sports neurology, specifically sports-associated concussion, sports and exercise therapy in neurological diseases, and the autonomic nervous system in sports and exercise. Among several leadership positions and committee work he serves as a member of the Medical Commission of the German Football Association (DFB) and leads the expert commission on head injuries of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
Michael Belanger, PT, MSPT, ATC
Director of Athletic Training Services, Mass General Brigham
Mike received his Bachelor of Science in psychology in 1997 and his Master of Science in physical therapy in 1999 from Sacred Heart University. While at Sacred Heart University, he completed an internship program in athletic training as part of his undergraduate degree. He has been a certified athletic trainer through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association since 1998. He holds a board certification as a sports clinical specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Mike is the director of athletic training for Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine and also a physical therapist with Brigham and Women’s rehab services at the Mass General Brigham Healthcare Center in Foxboro. Prior to joining Mass General Brigham, he worked in various clinical settings as a physical therapist including outpatient, inpatient and home care and has worked as an athletic trainer primarily in the collegiate and high school setting. Michael is a member of the sports section of the American Physical Therapy Association, the National Athletic Trainers Association, and the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine. His clinical interests include sports-related injuries, orthopedics, biomechanics and manual therapy.
