NJ educators dig out from storm to attend sports health seminar

MORRISTOWN, NJ – NOVEMBER 2018 – The snow, ice and slush that left thousands of New Jersey commuters snarled on local roads and highways the night before wasn’t enough to keep more than 100 youth sports educators from attending the New Jersey Sports Medicine Seminar on Friday morning in Morristown.

Presented by Atlantic Sports Health at Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center, athletic directors, trainers and coaches heard from medical experts on a range of youth sports topics, from concussions to tendon injuries to heat illness and dehydration at the event on November 16.

“Each year, this event truly showcases how Atlantic Sports Health brings together numerous specialties, from cardiology to neuroscience, to primary care to orthopedics, to enhance the treatment and performance of athletes in New Jersey,” said Damion Martins, MD, medical director of sports medicine and sports physical therapy for Atlantic Health System. "As team physician for the New York Jets, I really enjoy sharing what we learn in the care of professional athletes so we can improve the health and safety of the young athletes in our community."

Atlantic Sports Health also announced the donations of one automatic external defibrillator (AED) each to five schools in Morris County – Morristown High School, Montville High School, Pequannock High School, Kinnelon High School and Academy of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station. AEDs are portable devices that instruct users to deliver an electric shock to get a heart beating normally after a cardiac event.

“On behalf of our athletic director and all of Morristown High School, we’re very grateful to be working with Atlantic Health System,” said Danielle Cigol, athletic trainer at Morristown High School, who accepted the device for the school. “Our athletic teams use several different spaces, so this donation greatly helps our goal of being prepared wherever our athletes play.”

“On behalf of the Montville Township School District I want to thank Atlantic Sports Health and all involved in today’s event. This AED will be a great addition to our safety protocols,” said Don Heyburn, athletic trainer at Montville High School, who accepted the device for the school. “Hearing the lectures today, in addition to what we know about early defibrillation, this device will go a long way to keeping our athletes safe.”

Jeffrey Lander, MD, associate director of sports cardiology at Morristown Medical Center, emphasized the importance of the devices and the need for an emergency action plan for schools in his presentation at the event.

“Cardiovascular issues are unfortunately an enormous concern for young athletes, but by equipping schools with AEDs and developing an emergency action plan ahead of time, our communities can be much better prepared to step in and save a life,” Dr. Lander said. “The schools receiving these devices today are taking a great step in enhancing safety for everyone on their campuses.”

The event was moderated by Vincent K. McInerney, MD, assistant dean, professor and chairman, department of orthopedic surgery, and director of sports medicine at Seton Hall University’s School of Health and Medical Sciences. Helping to present the AEDs was Trish O’Keefe, president of Morristown Medical Center, and Stephanie Schwartz, president of Chilton Medical Center, both of whom are also vice presidents of Atlantic Health System.