Concussion Clinic expands eligibility, moves to unique location

Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing

Dr. Kate Higgins, an athletic neuropsychologist with Husker Athletics, performs a concussion balance test on mock patient Makayla Burchett, a freshman from Harlan, Iowa. Burchett wears a laser pointer as she moves her head around a target on the wall while balanced on a force plate. Nebraska Medicine recently moved its concussion clinic to the Nebraska Athletic Performance Lab in Memorial Stadium.

The Nebraska Medicine concussion clinic at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is expanding services and relocating.

Originally in the University Health Center and limited to assisting students, the clinic moved Jan. 1 to Memorial Stadium in the Nebraska Athletic Performance Lab. The new space allows the clinic to serve the entire campus — students, faculty and staff — as well as the local community.

The changes improve accessibility to care, allow more people to receive treatment and provide a unique service location.

The clinic is led by Dr. Kate Higgins, a neuropsychologist who evaluates, diagnoses and treats patients who have had a concussion and manages concussion symptoms.

Student Makayla Burchett performs a Modified Balance Error Scoring System test as she balances on a stress plate in the new concussion clinic.

“I am excited that we are able to offer a clinic staffed by health care providers with training and expertise specifically in concussion and who will diagnose sports-related concussions, manage and treat each injury in a dynamic and individualized manner, and provide clearance for athletes to return-to-sport,” Higgins said.

Trained experts at the clinic work to ensure that concussion care plans are tailored to treat individual patient symptoms and offer innovative concussion management.

Common reasons to visit the clinic include car accidents; slips, trips and falls; sports-related head injuries; and any other inadvertent injury to the head.

Concussion clinic services are available 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment only. Call 402-472-5000 to schedule an appointment. A doctor’s referral is not required to receive care, but some insurance plans may require a referral for coverage. Individuals should contact their insurance carrier before scheduling a first appointment.

Learn more about the clinic.