A world-renowned expert in concussions and spinal cord injuries will be speaking at Brock University on Thursday, April 19.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Tator will join a panel of Brock faculty members, students and alumni in providing an overview of the current state of concussions from a broad perspective. Included will be discussions on Ontario’s recently passed Rowan’s law, concussion safety legislation designed to protect amateur athletes and educate coaches about the dangers of head injuries.

A prominent figure in the Canadian medical field, Tator was named to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 2009 and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 2017, he was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame for his work on preventing spinal injuries and concussions in sports.

“Concussion reality and mythology are both expanding,” says Tator. “That is good and bad news. The good is that we now have greater prevention potential, such as concussion legislation, and greater knowledge of which treatments are effective. The bad is that there is more marketing going on than ever before for bogus, unproven remedies by inadequately trained ‘experts.’ Thus, it is more important now for all of us to continually update our knowledge of concussions.”

Concussions — What Are They and What Can I Do? will feature speakers using their own research to explain key issues for parents, organizations, policy-makers, educators, practitioners, coaches and the general public.

Panelists include:

• Dr. Omar Khan (BSc ’98), MD FRCPC — Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Brock alumnus, working with concussion patients through ODK Physical Medicine at Hotel Dieu Shaver’s Medical Clinic)
• Hilary Findlay, PhD (Associate Professor, Sport Management— legalities around concussions for sport organizations)
• Caitlyn Gallant (Brock University doctoral candidate — research focusing on the ability to understand others’ thoughts and emotions, Theory of Mind, among individuals with concussions/mild traumatic brain injuries)
• Stephanie Cowle, Manager, Knowledge Translation, Parachute

The event takes place Thursday, April 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Brock University’s Sean O’Sullivan Theatre.

Part of the Lifespan Centre Speaker Series, the event is held in collaboration with Brock University’s Centre for Sport Capacity and Faculty of Applied Health Sciences.

There is no cost to attend but advance registration is required and can be done through Eventbrite.