County to Launch Concussion Task Force

In an effort to educate students, parents and coaches, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino has created a Concussion Task Force to help young athletes avoid the dangers of head injuries.

The task force’s mission is to “develop a model program, available to schools to voluntarily adopt, that addresses pre-injury, sideline management and post-injury treatment for concussion in high school sports settings,” according to Astorino.

A total of 20 local physicians, high school athletic trainers and school officials have joined the group, which will hold an introductory press conference Monday, July 13, in White Plains.

Members of the task force include:

• Dr. Mark Herceg, Commissioner, Dept. Community Mental Health
• Dr. Sherlita Amler, Commissioner, Dept. of Health
• Dr. Jay Dunkle, Neuropsychologist, White Plains
• Dr. Eric Schwabe, Vestibular Therapist, NY Sports Medicine Institute
• Dr. Avi Mohan, Pediatric Neurosurgeon, Westchester Medical Center
• Dr. Barbara Kapetanakes, Neuropsychologist
• Dr. Jeffrey Young, private practice
• Dr. Katherine Hough, Pediatrics on Hudson
• Dr. Jonathan Berkowitz, ER Physician at WMC
• Dave Byrnes, President Section I Athletic Trainers Society & Yorktown H.S. Ath Trainer
• Michael Mirabella, VP of Section I Athletic Trainers Society & White Plains Ath Trainer
• Arthur McCormack, Athletic Director Irvington High School
• Douglas Sawyer, Athletic Trainer, The Hackley School
• Mike O’Donnell, Athletic Director Stepinac High School
• James Rose, Yonkers Athletic Dir. and Chair of Section One Safety Committee
• Mike Skerritt, Director of HR at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES

Monday’s press conference is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. in the 9th floor press room of the Westchester County Executive’s Office, 148 Martine Ave., White Plains.