Health & Fitness
Clara Maass Screens More than 100 Student Athletes For Free
They came from as far away as Sussex and Monmouth Counties, soccer players, football players, and athletes of every kind for free cardiac and concussion screenings performed at Clara Maass Medical Center.
In all, 101 children were given complimentary health screenings as part of the Matthew J. Morahan “Play it Safe” program, sponsored by Barnabas Health. Each child received a baseline EKG, blood pressure check and impact test as part of the screening. It is the second one held at Clara Maass Medical Center.
“We are so delighted to be able to offer this valuable community service and help protect the health and safety of student-athletes throughout the state of New Jersey,” said Mary Ellen Clyne, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of CMMC.
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“This is a wonderful opportunity for young athletes to get a preventative screening at no cost that will help protect them from injury or illness on the athletic field,” said Dr. Frank Mazzarella, vice president of the Medical Staff at CMMC.
Mom Gabriela Costa of Nutley brought her two sons, ages 10 and 11, to the screening before they began their fall sports season. Alison Mackey of Verona brought her 9-year-old son who plays recreation football. Other children showed up in their soccer uniforms.
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At the event, which was held in the Cancer Center at Clara Maass Medical Center, nurses were available to give complimentary blood pressure screenings to parents. Though the line moved quickly, light refreshments and comfortable seating was available for participating families.
CMMC plans to hold additional screenings in the future.
The Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes provides education, evaluation and assessment of sports injury and sports-related cardiac and concussion screenings. Barnabas Health serves and cares for more pediatric patients than any other health care organization in New Jersey; this program furthers our long-standing commitment to the health and well-being of children and young adults.
Screenings are free of charge and a parent or guardian is asked to be present. For more information about the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes, please visit our website at www.barnabashealth.org/morahan or call 973.322.7913.
