Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS), in partnership with Munson Healthcare, has launched the use of the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) concussion screening and management program. “TCAPS is committed to the health and safety of our student-athletes,” says Chris Parker, associate superintendent of TCAPS. “Through our partnership with Munson Healthcare, we are able to bring the ImPACT program to the sports where concussions are most likely to occur, helping to keep our students safer.”

ImPACT is a scientifically validated, computerized concussion management tool that is used by thousands of high schools, colleges, universities, and professional teams to help qualified healthcare providers better manage the injury. “Munson Healthcare is working in school districts across northern Michigan to help protect and reduce, and, if necessary, properly diagnose and treat concussions experienced by student-athletes,” says Joshua Thorington, PT, senior specialist for Outpatient Rehabilitation at Munson Medical Center. “From Frankfort to Kalkaska to Charlevoix, our goal is to be a leader in bringing ImPACT to school athletic programs across our entire system of care to help keep players healthy and safe.”

Implementation of ImPACT at TCAPS will begin as a pilot program during the 2016-17 fall sports season, with a focus on those sports with the highest risk of injury due to concussions, including 7th-12th grade football and 9th-12th grade soccer, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, hockey, skiing, and cheerleading. Funding for the program is provided by Munson Healthcare Foundations. The program is part of an ongoing partnership between TCAPS and Munson Healthcare, which provides experienced athletic trainers to TCAPS sports programs.

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