Welcome to the Concussion Center at UTulsa. The center offers free services to patients from the UTulsa campus and the greater Tulsa area to support recovery from concussion-related injuries. This interdisciplinary center brings together athletic trainers, psychologists and speech-language pathologists to provide personalized, comprehensive care that supports a safe return to daily life. In addition to clinical services, the center offers education for health care providers and the community, as well as real-world experience for students in concussion treatment and prevention.
Concussion Center
Services
- Concussion education and rehabilitation
- Return-to-learn planning
- Return-to-physical-activity planning
- Cognitive rehabilitation
- Vestibular rehabilitation
- Concussion-related mental health management
- Health care provider training and education
- Community concussion education, including interactive tools like concussion simulations
- Athletic training and school policy consultation
- Spanish translation support / Asistencia con traducción al español
Contact
The Concussion Center is located in the Mary K. Chapman Center. Call the center at 918-631-2504 or email concussioncenter@utulsa.edu to schedule an appointment.
Interested parties can also invite the Concussion Center to speak to their group by emailing concussioncenter@utulsa.edu.
About concussion care and education
——————————
How do I learn more about concussion care and recovery?
Understanding and managing concussions requires more than just rest. The Concussion Center at UTulsa provides education and support for health care providers, schools and the broader community.
Education for the health care provider
The center provides ongoing education to health care providers by sharing the latest research on concussion diagnosis, management and recovery. Providers receive guidance on evidence-based follow-up procedures and are kept up to date on state and federal laws governing concussion protocols in schools, sports and clinical settings. This ensures consistent, informed care that aligns with current best practices and legal requirements.
Community education (non health care providers)
The center offers community education using hands-on tools, such as concussion simulations, to help participants better understand the effects of brain injuries. They learn to recognize red flags that require immediate medical attention and the critical importance of reporting a concussion to ensure proper care and recovery. This education empowers coaches, teachers, parents and others to respond effectively and support safer outcomes.
Athletic training and school concussion policy review
The center works closely with athletic trainers to implement current concussion policies and individualized rehabilitation plans. This includes guidance on safe return-to-play timelines and evidence-based return-to-learn strategies that support both physical and cognitive recovery. Through this collaboration, athletic trainers are equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to manage concussions effectively within their teams.
What is an interdisciplinary teaching concussion clinic?
A concussion is a type of brain injury that affects how someone thinks, feels, moves and communicates. Recovery from a concussion is not just about resting; it is about helping the brain heal in multiple ways.
The Concussion Center at UTulsa brings together experts from different fields, including psychology, speech language pathology and athletic training, to work as a team. Each provider addresses a different part of the concussion experience, combining their knowledge to support full recovery.
Athletic trainers
Athletic trainers are professionals who understand the physical effects of concussions, such as headaches, dizziness and balance issues. They monitor physical activity and help individuals return safely to movement and sport.
Psychologists
Concussions can affect mental health, causing anxiety, irritability, sleep problems or emotional ups and downs. Psychologists help with coping strategies, stress management and recognizing when mental health support is needed during recovery.
Speech language pathologists
Speech language pathologists help with thinking and communication. After a concussion, people may have difficulty with memory, focus, word finding or organizing thoughts. These specialists provide strategies to improve cognitive communication skills, which are essential for learning, working and everyday life. They help patients return to school or work safely.
Why this approach works
When these professionals work together, patients receive coordinated and complete care. Benefits include:
- Faster, safer return to daily life: Each expert addresses a unique part of recovery, so no area is overlooked. When appropriate, providers may work together to improve outcomes.
- Better communication among providers: Instead of separate appointments and mixed messages, the team collaborates and shares insights.
- Personalized care: Recovery plans are tailored to each person’s symptoms, needs and goals.
- Education and empowerment: As a teaching clinic, the center helps patients and families understand the injury and how to manage it, reducing confusion and uncertainty during recovery.
An interdisciplinary concussion clinic is like a team huddle for healing. By combining knowledge and care from multiple fields, patients receive the best chance to recover fully and confidently. Involving families, students and providers in the learning process makes recovery more effective, supportive and empowering.
Spanish translation support / Asistencia con traducción al español
The Concussion Center at UTulsa is committed to accessible care for all patients. We offer Spanish translation for all documents and educational materials, and a Spanish-speaking team member is available to support communication during appointments.
El Centro de Conmociones Cerebrales de UTulsa se compromete a brindar atención accesible a todos los pacientes. Ofrecemos traducción al español para todos los documentos y materiales educativos, y un miembro del equipo hispanohablante está disponible para facilitar la comunicación durante las citas. Para más información, llame al 918-631-2504 o envíe un correo electrónico a concussioncenter@utulsa.edu.