Free Seminar for parents, coaches and athletes will be held at M State Fergus Falls
<Fergus Falls, MN > — Lake Region Healthcare’s Sports Medicine team is partnering with the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance to bring former NFL player and Super Bowl champ Ben Utecht to Fergus Falls for a free educational seminar on concussions at 7pm Monday, April 29th in Legacy Hall at the Fergus Falls Campus of M State.
“After the Minnesota Youth Sports Concussion Law went into effect in 2011, coaches, referees, parents and athletes have been learning a lot about recognizing the signs and symptoms of concussion. This pro-sport, family-friendly event will feature speakers who will share their concussion experiences along with experts in the concussion field who can share what kids and parents need to know,” said Brian Pickering, Athletic Trainer in the Sports Medicine Department at Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls. “We’ll also be talking about how kids and adults should respond to head injuries on the field or playground and share some new information on safety products and smart phone apps,” he added.
Former NFL player Ben Utecht will be the featured speaker. Utecht signed to the Indianapolis Colts in 2004 and was a starting tight-end alongside quarterback Peyton Manning. After three seasons with the Colts, they finally made it to Super Bowl XLI in 2006 against the Chicago Bears and won. Utecht signed with the Cincinatti Bengals in 2008 and during training camp in 2009, he received a serious concussion that knocked him out for 90 seconds. The concussion would take over 8 months to recover from and permanently put him out of the 2009 season.
Also speaking on the 29th will be Kayla Meyer, a teenager who suffered two concussions playing hockey for New Prague. Meyer has testified at the Minnesota State legislature and become an advocate for proper recognition and treatment of head injuries in high school athletes.
This event is free and open to the public and will begin at 7pm on Monday, April 29th in Legacy Hall at M State Fergus Falls.
About Lake Region Healthcare
Lake Region Healthcare is living out its vision to be Minnesota's preeminent regional healthcare partner. With over 70 medical staff and over 850 employees, its team is dedicated to serving its patients and community with integrity, teamwork, compassion and excellence. For more information about Lake Region Healthcare, visit www.lrhc.org.
About The Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance
Founded in 1984, the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance employs a professional staff of 47 and hundreds of volunteers work to further our mission to enhance the quality of life and bring the promise of a better tomorrow for all people affected by brain injury. More information can be found at www.braininjurymn.org.
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