A new program on head injuries is being pioneered by Maizie Ross, Tiahna Merwin, and Hannah Lowry

On Thursday Feb 21 three healthcare students gathered in Bearcat Hall during tutorial to give a presentation on head injuries. Their program, Brains Before Gains, was started by senior Tiahna Merwin, junior Maizie Ross, and junior Hannah Lowry this 2018-2019 school year. They competed with their presentation informing on concussions, Second Impact Syndrome, and CTE in SkillsUSA Regionals on Feb 23 in the Career Pathway Showcase: Health Services contest.

“Brains Before Gains is a program dedicated to informing and educating high school athletes, coaches, and parents on head related injuries, primarily focusing on concussions. We want athletes to know what brain injuries they are at risk for and understand evaluation, diagnostics, protocol, and evaluation,” the program’s mission statement explained.

The program hopes to start presenting at PRHS for athletes and parents but eventually present to other schools within the county.

“Our program is devoted to spreading awareness not fear,” the mission statement explained. Merwin, Ross, and Lowry have presented to the Sports Medicine Class and some of the spring athletic teams.

“Head injuries are not something to fear, they’re something to be aware of and educated on,” Ross said.