University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences First to Offer ImPACT Trained Athletic Trainer Certification through New Concussion in Sport Course

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is the first institution of higher learning to incorporate ImPACT Trained Athletic Trainer (ITAT) certification into the curriculum of its online Master of Health Science in Athletic Training degree program.

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Students in the program will receive specialized training in ImPACT^© neurocognitive baseline and post-injury test administration and the implementation of ImPACT's Concussion Management Model in the online "Concussion in Sport" course. As part of the course, students must meet all requirements necessary to become an ITAT. At the completion of the course, students will receive ITAT credentials.

"Having the advanced knowledge of concussion that is gained through the ITAT certification process will give our students an immediate edge," said Program Director Jordan Hamson-Utley, PhD, LAT, ATC. "Being the first university to offer this is another way the University of St. Augustine  demonstrates its leadership in providing meaningful educational experiences in areas that clinicians require." 

The Concussion in Sport course was developed by University of St. Augustine contributing faculty member Dr. Robb Rehberg, a founding partner of the Rehberg Konin Group and executive director of Sport Safety International. Dr. Rehberg is part of a multidisciplinary team that works exclusively with patients suffering from sports-related concussion at the Center for Concussion Care and Physical Rehabilitation at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, N.J.

"Partnering with the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences to incorporate ITAT certification into the core curriculum of its online master's in athletic training program is a privilege for ImPACT," said Michael Wahlster, chief executive officer of ImPACT Applications. "We hope that other universities and colleges follow the lead of this progressive university to further expand concussion knowledge and education among future athletic trainers."

This innovative collaboration was spearheaded by Labiba Russo, ImPACT's chief training and education officer. "We are building ImPACT's training programs as a value-added for health care professionals," said Russo. "We believe that comprehensive concussion management requires multi-disciplinary clinicians working together to assist in safe return to play." Russo has been with ImPACT since inception.

About ImPACT
Developed by clinical experts who pioneered the field, ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the most-widely used and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system. Currently, more than 10,000 medical professionals have been trained by ImPACT on concussion management. ImPACT is in use by the large majority of teams in MLB, NHL, NFL and MLS.  More than 7,400+ high schools, 1,000+ colleges and universities, 900+ clinical centers, 200+ professional teams, select military units, Cirque du Soleil, and many other organizations around the globe use ImPACT. ImPACT Applications, Inc., provides tools such as the ImPACT Concussion Management Model to address the need for an accurate, medically accepted assessment system as part of an overall concussion management protocol. ImPACT is constantly updating products, services and industry-leading training programs by integrating new technologies, input from experts and users, and ongoing research on concussion rehabilitation methods. For more information, visit www.impacttest.com.  Learn more about the ITAT program at www.impacttest.com/training/itat.

About the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is a graduate institution that emphasizes health science education through innovative quality classroom and distance education. Founded in 1979, the university has locations in San Marcos, California; St. Augustine, Florida; and Austin, Texas. It offers degree programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, education, health science and orthopaedic assistant, as well as residency, fellowship and continuing education programs. It is a member of Laureate International Universities, a network of more than 80 institutions in 29 countries and one of the most significant global higher education providers for health sciences. For more information, visit www.usa.edu.

SOURCE ImPACT Applications, Inc.

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