Gwinnett Medical Center

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About Gwinnett Medical Center

Gwinnett Medical Center is a not-for-profit healthcare network providing high quality facilities and services to residents of Gwinnett County, Georgia and surrounding communities. In 2007, Gwinnett Medical Center launched Project PATH, a comprehensive strategic initiative that is planning, advancing and transforming healthcare in Gwinnett County.

Our county has a thriving high school sports program, which has developed many collegiate and professional athletes over the years. Our affiliated physicians provide medical coverage at many high schools in the county. To support our physicians' efforts to improve the quality of care on the playing field, our hospital system has created outreach programs to meet the needs of our student athletes. We currently provide full-time certified athletic trainers at local high schools in Gwinnett County. In addition, our team of ATCs provides coverage at community sports events.

Gwinnett Medical Center's Sports Medicine Program has a vision to improve the standard of care for athletes suffering concussions. For this reason, Gwinnett Medical Center has provided all Gwinnett County Public High Schools, several local private schools, and the youth football league with ImPACT.
For more information, please visit: http://www.gwinnettsportsmed.com/concussions

Schools Using ImPACT

Central Gwinnett High School
Brookwood High School
Duluth High School
Norcross High School
Hebron Christian Academy
Shiloh High School
Collins Hill High School
South Gwinnett High School
Parkview High School
Millcreek High School
Dacula High School
Meadowcreek High School
Berkmar High School
Peachtree Ridge High School
North Gwinnett High School
Grayson High School
Wesleyan Academy
Greater Atlanta Christian School
Gwinnett Football League
The Gwinnett Gladiators

Community Work and Involvement

Over the past year the GMC Sports Medicine Program has actively educated the Gwinnett County community about ImPACT and sports concussion injuries through community awareness and educational offerings. These include:

* ImPACT Program Implementation for Gwinnett County Athletic Directors - presented by Mathew Pombo, MD, May 1, 2008
* Current Concepts in Concussion Management for Congregational Health Ministries Program, presented by Tim Simmons ATC, LAT - September 15, 2008
* ImPACT Presentation for the Gwinnett Football League Trainers Clinic, presented by Mark Cullen, MD, August 3, 2008
* Current Concepts in Sports Concussion Management for the Athletic Trainer, presented by Mark Cullen, MD - June 15, 2008
* Current Concepts in Sports Concussion Management for the Orthopedic Physician, presented by Mark Cullen, MD - June 25, 2008
* Current Concepts in Sports Concussion Management for the Primary Care Physician, presented by Mark Cullen, MD - September 23, 2008
* ImPACT and Concussion Rehabilitation Techniques for Physical and Occupational Therapists - presented at Gwinnett SportsRehab by Mathew Pombo, MD,
October 30, 2008
* Current Concepts in Sports Concussion Management for the Trauma Physician and Staff, presented by Mathew Pombo, MD and Mark Cullen, MD - February, 2009
* Current Concepts in Sports Concussion Management for the Pediatrician, May, 2009
* Current Concepts and Implementation Strategies in Sports Concussion Management for the Athletic Trainer, presented by Mathew Pombo, MD and Mark Cullen, MD
March, 2009

ImPACT History:

Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC) began utilizing ImPACT in the spring of 2008. Since that time, the Sports Medicine Program has implemented the system through collaborating with the local school system. GMC has developed multiple education offerings presented to schools, local athletic trainers, primary care physicians, pediatric physicians, trauma specialists, orthopedic surgeons, county coaches, athletes, county athletic directors, local parents, and community coaches.

No other hospital in Georgia offers this service county-wide, and GMC is providing it at no fee. GMC's goal is to reduce the chance of follow-up concussions, thus helping the student athlete's performance both on the field and in the classroom. The GMC ImPACT program is overseen by ImPACT trained physicians who serve on the GMC Sports Medicine Committee.

Mark Cullen, MD is a sports medicine fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon who has been certified in the use of ImPACT. Dr. Cullen serves as team physician for several Gwinnett County High schools and athletic clubs. He has more than three years of experience with ImPACT. He may be contacted at mcullen@georgiasportsmedicine.com.
Mathew Pombo, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, recently joined the GMC medical staff after completing his sports medicine fellowship in Pittsburgh where he was trained and certified in the ImPACT program. Dr Pombo is currently the team physician for Shiloh High School in Gwinnett County. He may be contacted at matpombo7@hotmail.com.
Fred Chi, MD is a sports medicine fellowship trained physician. He completed his fellowship at The Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia. Dr. Chi's specialties include orthopedics, sports medicine, and arthroscopy. He may be contacted at fchi@sos-atlanta.com.