(PHILADELPHIA)-Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Rothman Institute and Wills Eye Hospital have collaborated to establish the Jefferson Comprehensive Concussion Center (J.C.C.C.) at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The J.C.C.C. will be among the very few concussion centers in the nation to provide clinical care in areas such as neuro-opthalmology, neuroradiology, psychiatry, and complex rehabilitation at one facility. In addition to providing clinical care, J.C.C.C. will serve as a center for scientific research into concussion.

Physicians can refer patients of all ages and patients can self-refer to the new center by calling 1 800-JEFF NOW. The J.C.C.C. is located in the Corporate Center of the Philadelphia Navy Yard just off of Route 1-95, has ample, free parking, and is convenient to the Philadelphia International Airport. The center expects to draw patients from the entire region.

R. Robert Franks, D.O., a pioneer in concussion care at the Rothman Institute; and Mijail Serruya, M.D. Ph.D, a leading cognitive neurologist at Jefferson, will serve as Medical Co-Directors of the new center.
Dr. Franks worked on early plans for J.C.C.C. with Theodore Taraschi, Ph.D., Vice President of Research at Thomas Jefferson University. Said Dr. Franks: "Our vision was to bring together the leaders in sports and non-sports concussion management to treat patients with the best clinical pathways and return to activity protocols to provide for successful patient outcomes in one facility-comprising all of the subspecialties needed to treat concussion. The center's strength will be the collaboration of our three groups. We will be one of the few centers in the country to have sports medicine, neurology, neuropsychology, neuro-opthalmology, ophthalmology, neuroradiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, psychiatry, physical, occupational and vestibular therapy in one facility to diagnose and treat mild, moderate or severe concussion with compassion and unparalleled expertise."

The effects of concussions on the eyes and vision are an important and emerging area of concern in the treatment of these injuries. "Concussion and brain injury patients often experience difficulty in tracking and focusing. That can lead to problems reading, driving, concentrating in school and using a computer. These patients need to be diagnosed, evaluated and then receive therapy," said Julia A. Haller, MD, ophthalmologist-in-chief at Wills Eye Hospital.

The J.C.C.C. expects to treat a wide range of patients who suffer from traumatic brain injury: accident victims, injured veterans, and athletes. Said Dr. Taraschi, "If your mother falls and hits her head on the pavement-this will be the place to treat her. If your husband, a returning veteran, has personality changes and double vision, you can bring him here for expert evaluation."

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