Navy Medicine Tackles TBI with Philadelphia Eagles

By Valerie A. Kremer, Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs

PHILADELPHIA (NNS) -- Navy Medicine and the Philadelphia Eagles met at the Eagles training facility in Philadelphia to discuss shared initiatives both Navy Medicine and the National Football League (NFL) face related to treating traumatic brain injury (TBI), May 23.

Rear Adm. Thomas Beeman, deputy commander for the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Bethesda, Md., met with the top athletic trainer and medical staff of the Eagles during the visit as part of Philadelphia Navy Week.

"I think the Department of Defense is doing a fabulous job in helping identify and treat traumatic brain injury," said Rick Burkholder, head athletic trainer of the Philadelphia Eagles. "We are glad we could learn from Navy Medicine on how the Navy is providing care for TBI and we will hopefully continue to trade information on treating TBI in the future."

During the visit, Beeman and the Eagles medical staff discussed concussion management, resiliency training, advancements in virtual reality treatment, and alternate TBI therapy.

"We thank the NFL for paying close attention to traumatic brain injury," said Beeman. "There are many similarities Navy Medicine and the NFL face in the types of injuries that come from head trauma, rather it be on the battlefield or the playing field."

During his presentation, Beeman also pointed out the advancements in Navy Medicine's research and development as being a key factor in the Navy's maritime strategy and a priority of the Navy Surgeon General, Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson.

"The more data both Navy Medicine and the NFL collect regarding TBI, the better off we will both be in finding ways to advance care and therapies for the injury," said Beeman. "Adding the medical component of the NFL and the academic components of Navy Medicine in collaboration can provide the best care possible to our service members and players."

As a global force for good, Beeman also addressed the importance of not only providing rehabilitative care to the players but also to warriors and their families.

"We also have to equip warriors with the skills to navigate a life altering event," said Beeman. "This is also true in treating TBI and post-traumatic stress of players when they come off of the field."

Philadelphia Navy Week is one of 21 Navy weeks across the country in 2011. Navy Weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they make in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence.