Jan/Feb 2018

The Pan Am Concussion Program uses a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating pediatric concussion patients.

Four members of the team are based at the program's clinic, located at the Bell MTS Iceplex, and the rest of the team are located at other sites, including Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg, HSC Winnipeg's Children's Hospital and the Pan Am Clinic. Team members at the program's clinic include:

Dr. Michael Ellis, Neurosurgeon: As the head of the clinic, Ellis is responsible for the neurological assessment of patients with concussion and traumatic brain injury. Among other things, this involves ruling out other intracranial and spinal injuries and neurological disorders. He is also involved in the process of deciding when a patient can return to play.

Dr. Lesley Ritchie, Neuropsychologist: Ritchie's job is to administer and interpret neurocognitive and formal neuropsychological tests. She is also responsible for developing individualized programs to allow a patient to make a successful return to school and helps decide when a patient can return to play.

Karen Reimer, Vestibular Physiotherapist: Reimer evaluates and rehabilitates patients with dizziness and problems with vision and balance caused by concussion and traumatic brain injury.

Dean Cordingley, Exercise Physiologist: Cordingley administers and interprets graded aerobic treadmill testing and prescribes tailored, sub-maximal exercise programs for patients.

Off-Site Team Members

Dr. Satnam Nijjar, Neurologist: Evaluates and manages patients with post-traumatic and migraine headaches, and occipital neuralgia. Also evaluates patients with co-existing neurological disorders, including seizures and vascular injuries.

Shannon Larkins, Cervical Spine Physiotherapist: Evaluates and rehabilitates patients with cervicogenic headaches and cervical spine soft tissue injury.

Drs. Shahid Hosain and Mark Koltek, Adolescent Psychiatrists: Evaluate and manage patients with depression and anxiety disorders as well as those considering suicide.

Drs. Janine Johnston and Behzad Mansouri, Neuro-ophthalmologists: Evaluate and manage patients with visual and oculomotor disorders.

Drs. Marco Essig, Angela Sam, Martin Bunge, Neuroradiologists: Co-ordinate and interpret neuroimaging studies (i.e MRIs).

Drs. Michael Davidson, James Koenig, Scott Gregoire, Musculoskeletal Radiologists: Co-ordinate and interpret musculoskeletal imaging studies such as X-rays and CT scans.

Drs. Colin Kazina and Patrick McDonald, Pediatric Neurosurgeons: Evaluate and manage patients with structural intracranial and spinal injuries and other structural neurological conditions.

Drs. Peter MacDonald and Brian Black, Orthopedic Surgeons: Evaluate and manage patients with co-existing sport and orthopedic injuries.

Drs. Scott Sawyer and Norm Silver, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians: Co-ordinate clinical referral pathways between HSC Winnipeg's Children's Hospital and the Pan Am Clinic's minor injury for kids clinic to the concussion program.

Dr. Gerald Olin, Chiropractor: Evaluates and manages patients with cervicogenic headaches and cervical spine soft tissue injury.

Canada North Concussion Network Research Directors

Kelly Russell, Scientist, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba: Co-ordinates research studies related to multidisciplinary concussion care and the effect of concussion on school, mental health and quality of life.

Jeff Leiter, Exercise Scientist, Pan Am Clinic Foundation: Co-ordinates research studies related to exercise science biomarkers and rehabilitation.

Dr. Alan Mutch, Anesthesiologist, Health Sciences Centre: Co-ordinates research studies related to MRI biomarkers.

Administration

Dr. Wayne Hildahl: Chief Operating Officer, Pan Am Clinic

Shelley Sibbick: Manager, Ambulatory Care Clinics

Jodi Jennings: Unit Clerk

Courtney Pollett: Unit clerk

Jackie Brown: Co-ordinator/clerk

Vickie Derksen: Administrative/personnel

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