First Aid

Sports Medicine

Wellspan Sports Medicine

WellSpan Sports Medicine provides medical support for the York Suburban Athletic program.  The Athletic Trainer primarily responsible for the high school is Joe Koncewicz, Jr. (LAT, ATC).  The Athletic Trainer primarily responsible for the middle school is Dee Chambers (MS, ATC).  The physician primarily dedicated to YSSD is Dr. Nathan Bucks, DO.  Finally, if any students are injured to the degree where surgery is needed, WellSpan has two fellowship trained sports medicine surgeons: Dr. John Deitch, MD and Dr. Craig Ruder, MD.  Brief bios for the WellSpan Sports Medicine Team are available on the center of this web page.

WellSpan Orthopedics offers a Saturday morning sports medicine clinic for student-athletes who experience injuries and need weekend care. The sports medicine clinic is staffed by fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians, licensed athletic trainers and orthopedic technicians skilled in the treatment of sports-related injuries. The clinic is available from 10am to Noon on Saturdays during the fall sports season. Please contact WellSpan Orthopedics for additional information at (717)812-4090.

 

Meet the WellSpan Sports Medicine Team

 

Dee Chambers, MS, ATC is an athletic trainer with Wellspan Rehabilitation in York County.  She works with a variety of athletes from middle school through semi-professional athletes.  She is also involved with WellSpan’s injury prevention program.  She received a bachelor’s degree in biology/allied health from Elizabethtown College and her master’s in athletic training from Seton Hall University.

Welcome Letter – Dee Chambers

 

Joe Koncewicz, Jr., BS, LAT, ATC is an athletic trainer with WellSpan Sports Medicine in York, PA. He works with a variety of athletes from middle school through semi-professional levels. Joe also sees patients for the WellSpan Injury Prevention Program. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from King’s College in 2009, during which he did his 2008-2009 senior rotations with the Wilkes University football team and girl’s volleyball team, as well as the King’s College men’s basketball team. He has been working with WellSpan since 2010. Through WellSpan, he has also worked with the Harrisburg Stampede arena football team and Gettysburg College.

Welcome Letter – Joe Koncewicz

 

Nathan Bucks, D.O. earned his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.  He completed a sports medicine fellowship at Crozer-Keystone Health System in Springfield, Pa.  He is board certified in sports medicine and family medicine.   Dr. Bucks is a sports medicine physician practicing out of the York office of WellSpan Orthopedics. He will be present during home varsity football games this fall.

 

Dr. John Deitch

 

Craig Ruder, M.D. earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland. He completed an orthopedic sports medicine fellowship at Hughtston Sports Medicine Foundation in Columbus, Georgia. Dr. Ruder is board certified in orthopedic surgery and specializes in sports related orthopedic injuries.
WellSpan Sports Medicine Website

 

Policy on Management of Concussions in Student-Athletes

This Policy has been formulated based on information gathered from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA), the American Medical, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and is in compliance with Pennsylvania state law.

A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (aka concussion) is an injury that interferes with the normal function of the brain. It occurs when the brain is rocked back and forth or twisted inside the skull as a result of a blow to the head or body. The severity of the blow to the body/head is not a direct link to the severity of the resulting concussion. There is no such thing as a minor concussion. Any suspected concussion must be taken seriously.

All student-athletes participating in sports must have a baseline test done using the ImPACT neurological computerized concussion test. This test is to be completed within the first three days of practice or the establishment of a team roster, whichever is last. Any additions to rosters after that must be tested prior to that individual participating in any sport with exposure to contact, including balls and/or equipment (i.e. field hockey balls, lacrosse sticks, etc.). Athletes who do not complete a baseline concussion test will not be permitted to participate in any scrimmage or game activity until the test is completed. This test is valid for 2 years as based on the recommendations of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the makers of the ImPACT program. For example, a student will take the test in ninth grade and repeat it in eleventh grade.

If a coach or a parent suspects an athlete/child may be concussed or if the athlete himself suspects he may be concussed, the coach/parent/athlete must immediately notify the Certified Athletic Trainer (AT). If the AT is not on site the coach will contact the AT and inform him/her of the situation. Once it is verified that the student-athlete has signs and symptoms of a possible concussion he/she may not return to any activity that day.

The following guidelines apply once the AT confirms the concussion:

  • The AT will administer the ImPACT test and will send the results to the treating physician.
  • The AT will provide a note to the athlete’s PE teacher excusing the athlete from PE as well as any activity that may raise the heart rate and further delay healing.
  • If necessary, the athlete will provide a doctor’s note to the guidance office to implement any academic accommodations that may be needed during the recovery period.

The AT will release the athlete for return to activity only when the following criteria are met:

The athlete must be symptom-free at rest.

  • The athlete must be symptom-free with exertion.
  • The athlete must have ImPACT scores that are within the established normal range of baseline testing.
  • The treating physician must provide a signed, written release for the athlete to return to activity.
  • The athlete must have a normal neurologic/physical exam.
  • Concussion testing (ImPACT testing) is completed every other year for student-athletes. New students or those who may have missed testing in the proper year will complete the ImPACT test with the start of the fall sports preseason. Testing will be completed at the school, in a quiet, controlled environment such as the school computer lab.

 

CDC:  Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports