The silent epidemic

Hardly a day passes without the morning news feed or evening telecast sharing a story about a professional athlete sustaining a concussion on the field or ice, or about concussion research seeking to identify links to life changing neurological disorders. Given the fact that virtually anyone can sustain a concussion – athlete or not – it’s no wonder.

Faculty, researchers and health care providers across Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, and the faculties of Health Sciences and Engineering have long been engaged in concussion research.

Together with our hospital partners, we are pleased to present the second annual See the Line Symposium.

Building upon the tremendous success of the Symposium in 2013, a half-day of presentations sharing the latest in concussion research, therapy and clinical care is being planned. The event will feature international researchers, as well as local physicians, therapists and researchers sharing more information about prevention and recovery as well as the long-term impact of concussion.  

Dr. Robert Cantu will be the featured keynote speaker. Dr. Cantu is a clinical professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and co-director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, Boston University; senior advisor to the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee; and founding member, co-founder, medical director, and chairman Medical Advisory Board of the Sports Legacy Institute. 

Also confirmed to present are Ravi Menon, PhD, Robarts scientist and professor, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, and Kevin Shoemaker, PhD, professor, Faculty of Health Sciences.

The event this year will include a short panel discussion with some professional athletes who will speak to their experiences and recovery from concussion.

Later in the day, a special gala celebrating the 40th anniversary of Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic will take place. The evening will also include first-hand accounts from sport celebrities as they share their experiences with scientists in a conversation about the prevalence and consequences of concussion injuries during a moderated armchair discussion. All proceeds from the Gala will support See the Line, and this year’s program recipient, the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic.

To learn more or register to attend the Symposium or the Gala please visit the See the Line website.