Lecture to focus on sports concussions

CentraState Medical Center is offering a physician lecture, “The Dangers of Sports-Related Concussions,” on Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus, 901 W. Main St., Freehold Township.

The free lecture will be given by Steve Weintraub, D.O., sports medicine specialist on staff at CentraState Medical Center and medical director of the Freehold Regional High School District.

The event will feature guest appearances by Tammy and Preston Plevretes of Marlboro. Preston Plevretes, 23, suffered a severe brain injury four years ago when playing in a football game for LaSalle University one month after an earlier concussion. He collided head-on with an opposing player in a game at Duquesne University in November 2005.

After surviving a coma and lifesaving surgery, he has endured three more brain operations and years of physical therapy, according to a press release.

In the fall of 2009 the Plevretes family settled a lawsuit against LaSalle University for $7.5 million. The suit charged that the university failed to properly treat Preston’s first concussion, causing the later life-threatening injury from second impact syndrome.

The Feb. 3 lecture at CentraState will include a discussion about what a concussion is, second impact syndrome, signs and symptoms of post head injury, management of head injury, and brain function recovery.

The event includes a light supper provided courtesy of CentraState Specialty Script and Surgical. To register or for more information, call CentraState OceanFirst Rehabilitation at 732-294-2700.