VCU Experts on Traumatic Brain Injury Provide Insight about Risk, Treatment and Damage

By Cheryle Rodriguez

Experts at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and the VCU School of Medicine are available to provide insight on treating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), such as head injuries suffered by student athletes related to sports and recreation activities. 

From 2001 to 2009, the number of annual Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)-related emergency room visits increased significantly, from 153,375 to 248,418, with the highest rates among males aged 10 to 19 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Charles Dillard, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist who can address various aspects of TBI or concussion, treatment, risk, needs and awareness. View a video of Dillard speaking about children and concussions in VCU OnTopic.

The Children’s Hospital’s Brook Road campus has a long history of treating TBI and has a designated comprehensive clinic to address the needs of patients. 

John Povlishock, M.D., professor and chair of VCU School of Medicine’s Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology and director of the Commonwealth Center for the Study of Brain Injury, is internationally known and has studied TBI for 30 years. 

Povlishock’s findings have disclosed new avenues to prevent permanent damage and loss of brain function. He has studied the changes that occur in the brain once a traumatic episode occurs and has translated that work into promising clinical trials for brain-injured patients.

Interviews can be conducted in person, over the phone or using the university's VideoLink Ready Cam studio. ReadyCam transmits video and audio via fiber optics through a system that is routed to your newsroom. To schedule a live or taped interview, contact VCU Public Affairs, (804) 828-1231.