5 / 16
“Our Sports Medicine team has
the expertise to get an athlete back
in the game,” said ACMC President
and CEOMichael Habowski. “Our
physicians are fellowship-trained in
sports medicine and are also trained
to treat any orthopaedic injuries. The
entire teamwill also educate and
train athletes to prevent injuries and
improve performance.”
Meet the team
ACMC Sports Medicine staff includes
Cleveland Clinic orthopaedic surgeon
Mark Verdun, DO, who serves as the
program director. He sees patients
full time at The Ashtabula Clinic.
He is joined by Jefferson native and
family practice physician Nathaniel
Franley, MD, who serves as medical
director. Dr. Franley sees patients
full time at ACMC’s Jefferson Family
Health Center. Orthopaedic surgeon
Amar Mutnal, MD, serves as surgical
director. He sees patients full time at
The Ashtabula Clinic.
Ashtabula native Lauren (Sposito)
Gloeckler serves as athletic trainer
and department director, overseeing
athletic trainers Monica Brown,
Elizabeth Miller, Barb Moore and
Kim Velotta, and coordinating with
high school administration.
Treating athletes is nothing new
for ACMC physicians. Dr. Verdun
and John Posch, MD, orthopaedic
surgeons, have treated athletes as
well as patients suffering from other
orthopaedic issues related to knees,
hips, shoulders, neck, wrists, joints
and ligaments, and more.
Starting on the sidelines
ACMC’s Sports Medicine outreach
began four years ago when an
athletic trainer was placed at
Lakeside High School to work with
student athletes. Within months,
the program expanded to include
four athletic trainers working with
Conneaut, Edgewood, Lakeside
and St. John. ACMC physicians and
physician assistants also provided
sideline medical coverage for all
home football games for these
schools.
Today the ACMC Sports Medicine
program also includes concussion
clinics, weight room training for
high school athletes, preventive
injury education and muscular-
skeletal rehabilitation. ACMC
provides the athletic trainers and
sideline medical coverage at no
charge to the school districts.
“While much of our Sports
Medicine program is directed to
high school athletes, we are also
focused on adults who have sports
injuries,” said Dr. Verdun. “When you
are hurting, you need a professional
to diagnose, treat and provide
rehabilitation so you avoid future
problems. Our goal is to help your
conditioning so you stay in the game.
We want to provide the care you need
to get you back in the game—whether
that is at work or at play.”
NOT A STUDENT ATHLETE?
Our clinics are for everyone. Call Jefferson Family Health
Center at
440-576-8933
to make a Monday appointment.
The goal of ACMC Sports Medicine is to enable you to stay in the
game—and to enjoy a lifetime of healthy activity.
ACMC offers concussion clinics
TAKE THE FIRST STEPS
Schedule an appointment with
the ACMC Sports Medicine team.
Call
440-997-6910
.
With national attention on the health risks of concussion,
Ashtabula County Medical Center (ACMC) is stepping up to
ensure Ashtabula County’s student athletes stay safe.
ACMC Sports Medicine staff offers concussion clinics to
assess and diagnose students’ risk for concussion. Student
athletes of all sports are encouraged to be screened and
attend the clinics.
Before football season, ACMC sports medicine physicians
Nathaniel Franley, MD, and Amar Mutnal, MD, conducted
baseline testing for student athletes. This gave the athlete,
coaches, parents and physicians a preseason assessment.
Throughout the season, physicians and athletic trainers
will lead post-game concussion clinics every Monday. Any
athlete who experienced a hard hit or impact with the ground
is encouraged to attend. The clinics are held two or three
days after football games, in case a player does not show
immediate symptoms of concussion. If a player experiences
symptoms during a game, they are immediately evaluated on
the sideline by a physician.
During the Monday clinics, athletes are tested with
methods similar to those used to establish the preseason
baseline. The results are compared to the athlete’s preseason
cognitive ability to determine if the athlete is experiencing
concussive symptoms.
If testing shows an athlete experienced the effects of a
concussion, physicians explain possible treatment options
and determine whether or not a player should continue with
practice and game activities.
ACMC Pulse •
www.acmchealth.org5