The Concussion Clinic of Winchester Neurological Consultants has been at the forefront of sports concussion care since 2006. Since that time Mariecken Fowler, M.D. has raised awareness in the community regarding the grave and potential long-term effects of concussion when it is not managed effectively. This was long before the public recognition of many of the devastating outcomes from repeated concussions. We have built a concussion program with a standardized protocol and works with over 15 High Schools in Virginia and West Virginia, private schools, and Shenandoah University as a Team Physician. Dr. Fowler has treated thousands of concussion patients and given numerous lectures to parents, the public, and medical professions regarding concussion care.
The Concussion Care team is multidisciplinary, involving treatment and referral by Athletic Trainers at the school level, referral by Primary Care Providers, evaluation and management by Dr. Fowler in the clinic, and involvement of Vestibular and Cognitive rehabilitation/assessment by Physical therapists and Neuropsychologists when indicated. Specialized concussion evaluation may include Cognitive testing, Vestibular/Balance testing, Neuroimaging, and the ImPACT test. Dr. Fowler will help guide the athletes in return-to-play timing and any necessary school accommodations.
Dr. Fowler is a Credentialed ImPACT Consultant, indicating that she is endorsed by the University of Pittsburgh Sports Medicine Department as a leader in the field of concussion management and evaluation. She has been using the ImPACT test since 2007 and is a member of the American Academy of Neurology Sports Medicine Subsection. As one of only three Neurologists in the Country triple board-certified in Cognitive/Behavioral Neurology, Neurology, and Neuroimaging she is uniquely qualified to evaluate and manage the effects of a concussion.
Dr. Fowler has worked in conjunction with the Athletic Trainers of Winchester Physical Therapy, and Valley Health to provide our local High Schools with comprehensive concussion care, including an ImPACT testing program. The ImPACT test is a 20-minute computerized neuropsychological test developed at the University of Pittsburgh that evaluates cognitive function including memory and reaction time. By utilizing this test and comparing our local athletes to their own baseline scores, Dr. Fowler can compare the athlete’s brain function to their normal level of functioning. This is an important tool in the assessment of concussion. It is used by many professional sports teams including the NFL and by thousands of high schools and colleges nationwide.
As clinical experts, we are a trusted resource for:
- Neurological Assessment including a review of medical and neurological history, neurological examination, neuroimaging review, vestibular/balance and cognitive testing
- Baseline ImPACT testing and review by Credentialed ImPACT Consultant
- Post-injury evaluation and recommendations for daily activity or accomodations
- Treatment/Rehabilitation including referral for Vestibular rehabilitation if indicated
- Assistance in monitoring stages of return to play with school, and athletic trainers
- Cognitive testing including ImPACT testing, Neurotrax testing, and referral to our network of Neuropsychologists for ongoing cognitive evaluations if long term cognitive issues are identified.
In addition to being the leaders in Sports Concussion Care, Dr. Fowler is also an expert in the evaluation and management of other forms of mild traumatic brain injury. This includes car accidents and other forms of trauma.
Information about Concussion: