St. Barnabas Offers Cardiac, Concussion Screenings To Young Student Athletes

The Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes, has expanded its program statewide and now offers young athletes access to free and low cost cardiac screenings and baseline concussion testing through satellite centers at all six Barnabas Health facilities throughout New Jersey. 

Barnabas Health executives were joined by state Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark); MJM spokespeople and two-time Super Bowl champion David Diehl; and four-time Olympian Joetta Clark Diggs in announcing the system-wide expansion of the program at a kick-off event on Sept. 17 highlighting the need to do more in our communities to keep kids safe.

MJM provides life-saving cardiac screenings; baseline concussion testing; medical evaluation and treatment for sports injuries; and education for student athletes, parents, school districts and recreational sports administrators. 

Since the program’s inception in 2010, MJM has conducted more than 7,000 cardiac and concussion screenings for young athletes.  MJM has provided these screenings, educational programing and medical expertise to communities, recreation departments and several high schools throughout the state in Essex, Monmouth and Ocean counties.

“As New Jersey’s largest healthcare system, we are committed to providing comprehensive care to address every patient’s need — including young athletes,” said Barry H. Ostrowsky, president and CEO of Barnabas Health. 

“By expanding the Morahan Center’s services throughout Barnabas Health’s facilities, we’re making it easier and more convenient for young athletes to access lifesaving preventative screenings and sports injury treatment delivered by top healthcare professionals.” 

Each MJM satellite facility incorporates the Morahan Center’s medical resources, emergency room protocol for concussion evaluation, follow-up testing and post-concussion care under the leadership of an expert team of specialists and neurologists.  

In addition, Barnabas Health has a mobile unit that travels throughout the state to conduct screenings, making it easier for young athletes to receive proper care.

When preliminary testing to identify serious cardiac problems is provided to 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 screenings include a baseline EKG and evaluating blood pressure and vitals along with a thorough review of medical history and EKG interpretation by a pediatric cardiologist, who can recommend further testing or intervention as needed.

A concussion baseline study (ImPACT) is a non-invasive test that tracks information such as memory, reaction time, speed and concentration that can help identify potential issues for young athletes. If an athlete is believed to have suffered a head injury, this screening test may be used to evaluate the severity of the injury and determine when it is safe to return to play.

Barnabas Health facilities offer free community events to provide baseline concussion testing and cardiac screenings to the community. 

Young athletes are invited to attend any of the following free upcoming screenings from 9 a.m. to noon on the following days:

• Saturday, Oct. 5, at  Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center in Livingston
• Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark
• Saturday, Oct. 19, at Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood

Concussion screenings are offered to young athletes ages 12 to 18, and cardiac screenings are offered to young athletes ages 6 to 18.

For more information on the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes or to make an appointment, use the following contact information at one of the six Barnabas Health facilities:

• Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center: 973.322.7419
• Clara Maass Medical Center: 973.450.2050
• Community Medical Center: 732.557.8046
• Kimball Medical Center: 732.942.5921
• Monmouth Medical Center: 732.923.6482
• Newark Beth Israel Medical Center: 973.926.7913 

Photo Caption: Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Barnabas Health announced the System-wide expansion of the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes (MJM) offering cardiac screenings, baseline concussion testing and education for youth athletes. 

Gathered with Ostrowsky from left to right are: David Diehl, NY Giants; Diana Toto, Coordinator of MJM Center; Senator M. Teresa Ruiz; Marc Goldberg, parent and Livingston resident; Olympian Joetta Clark-Diggs; Assemblyman Thomas Giblin; and Dr. Jim Stefankiewcz, Superintendent of Red Bank Regional Schools.