Berkshire Brain Injury & Neurological Services

About Ellen Deibert, MD

Dr. Ellen Deibert is a neurologist with subspeciality training in Neurointensive Care and Neurorehabilitation. As a result, Dr. Deibert has developed a strong interest in treating patients who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. Dr. Deibert works with brain injury patients both in the hospital and in outpatient clinics. She also works collaboratively with the rehabilitation department at Berkshire Medical Center who have specially trained therapists in cognitive rehabilitation for those patients who may require it. In addition, Dr. Deibert works closely with two talented neuropsychologists in the area who are very experienced in brain injury and help develop appropriate care plans in rehabilitation.

Dr. Deibert has expanded her clinic to focus on concussion patients. This includes professionals and athletes who have suffered a concussion and may need clearance for work or school. As part of the concussion work they have incorporated the ImPACT system to use as a tool that will help guide appropriate return to play decisions for young athletes. This work is not only exciting as it improves the level of care they can deliver to the patients in their community but also helps them develop direct ties with the school systems so that they can expand their community education programs.

Community Work and Involvement

Dr. Deibert and her collegues in the rehabilitation department have participated in many community talks on concussion and head trauma. Their most recent talks have included:

1. Emergency Nurses Association, Pittsfield Country Club, Pittsfield MA Nov 2006

2. Paramedic Refresher Course at Berkshire Medical Center and at County Ambulance Oct. 2006.

3. Fall Mandatory Coaches Meeting, Topic was Concussion Management, August 2006, Waconah High School, Dalton, MA.

4. Winter Mandatory Coaches Meeting, Topic was Concussion Management, Nov. 2006, Taconic High School, Pittsfield MA.

5. Ski Patrol Update on Concussion, Jiminey Peak, MA, October 2007

6. Workshop for Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts titled “Mood Disorders after Traumatic Brain Injury, May 2007

7. School Nurses Association, 'Diagnosis and Management of Concussion', Hyannis MA, June 2007

BHS Program for ImPACT Baseline Testing in Berkshire County High Schools



In 2007, Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) invited local high schools to participate in a program designed for student-athletes involved in sports that are high-risk for concussions. The program, sponsored by BHS for the first two years, involves athletes taking a pre-season neurocognitive baseline test called ImPACT.



Last summer, many high school athletic directors and coaches were trained on how to conduct the testing with their athletes, and almost 500 athletes have been baseline tested within nine Berkshire County high schools so far. These athletes participate in sports like basketball, football, soccer, baseball and softball, gymnastics, wrestling, ice hockey, downhill skiing and lacrosse.



'We are pleased with the initial level of participation, yet more opportunities exist to protect our athletes further,' said Dr. Ellen Deibert, a neurologist for Berkshire Medical Center and the director of the BMC Concussion Clinic. Dr. Deibert is the only Credentialed ImPACT Consultant (CIC) in Western Massachusetts trained in evaluating and analyzing ImPACT data.



'The increase in concussions and the lack of baseline scores to support treatment reinforce the value and importance of pre-season baseline testing for all athletes involved in high-risk sports,' continued Dr. Deibert.



In 2007, BMC saw 661 concussion cases in the Emergency Department, which is a significant increase over the 454 concussions treated in 2006.



'Our goal continues to be to ensure that our community's athletes and individuals are properly diagnosed and returned to play, work or school as safely as possible,' said Dr. Deibert.



BHS and Dr. Deibert are looking ahead to year two of the program and recently held another training session for athletic directors and coaches to gear up for the next sports season.

Local Articles:

Headband- Newsletter for the Berkshire Brain Injury Support Group. This comes out monthly. The cognitive team in the rehabilitation department writes a section called 'Modality of the Month'. This currently goes out to 225 readers. The goal of the section is to help patients with day to day activities and decision making. For instance, one topic was how to negotiate a grocery store. It covered tips on how to make a list and the most efficient way of finding items of need in the store. The publication is planned to continue through 2007.