The Dolphins want to make sure student athletes stay safe!
The Miami Dolphins Foundation, together with the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute and KiDZ Neuroscience Center at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, are sponsoring The University of Miami Countywide Concussion Care High School Program (UMCCCHSP).
Following the passing of the Florida Youth Concussion Legislation, a state law that requires that any student-athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion must immediately be pulled from the playing field and receive medical clearance to return to play, UMCCCHSP was formed in 2012.
In the past five years, the program has expanded to include all contact high school sports in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
UMCCCHSP is managed by a team of experts in neurology, neurosurgery, neuroscience, ENT, physical therapy and neuropsychology. An annual education and training workshop is provided by a multidisciplinary medical team for all high school athletic trainers and athletic directors prior to each football season to update their knowledge of the protocol and concussion management.
As part of this relationship, the Dolphins will take part in the annual concussion seminar.
Additionally, the Miami Dolphins Youth Programs have sponsored a high school training program, partnered with USA Football to cover the cost of training for all coaches that take part in Player Safety Coach (PSC) certifications and have hosted area youth and high school boys and girls football teams to watch offseason practices and take part in character building sessions.
In all, the program will impact more than 15,000 high school student athletes per year.