Anthony Martino is the chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of South Alabama (USA) College of Medicine. Martino has practiced neurosurgery for 25 years specializing in pediatric neurosurgery. Throughout his career, Martino has been actively involved in championing head injury prevention programs. These efforts include initiating the south Alabama regional ThinkFirst program for which Dr. Martino is currently the physician sponsor. In concert with ThinkFirst, the USA Department of Neurosurgery has an active concussion management program which evaluates concussed athletes, including those from the USA sports programs (NCAA Division I), from time of impact through recovery.
Ashley Marass is an associate professor at the University of South Alabama (USA) College of Nursing and a pediatric nurse practitioner with USA Health. Marass created the computer-based CCATP while completing the Doctor of Nursing Practice program (with honors) at Samford University. Marass’ special interests include concussion education, neurosurgical nursing, adolescent medicine and pediatric HIV. Marass’ experience as a nurse in the public school system has afforded her invaluable insights that aided in the development of the format and content, and, implementation of the CCATP.
James Toldi is an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of South Alabama (USA) College of Medicine and a primary care sports medicine physician with USA Health. He is also the fellowship director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at USA COM. Toldi treats all sports related injuries but has a passion for concussion education, evaluation and treatment. He has developed a systematic approach to screening concussions as well as safe, evidenced based return to learn and return to sport protocols. Toldi is the medical director of the CCATP. In this role, along with his team of physical therapists, athletic trainers, researches and medical providers, they provide the community and local schools with concussion education, baseline testing and dedicated clinic follow up with the latest evidence-based protocols. Toldi looks to continue to expand the concussion field with multiple designed research projects.
Chelsea Best is a physical therapist with USA Health. She moved to Spanish Fort, Alabama from San Diego, California. She received her master’s degree from Cal State Long Beach and became a concussion specialist while working at an outpatient sports medicine clinic. Chelsea’s personal experience with vertigo is what drew her to treating concussions and vestibular dysfunctions. She has attended continuing education courses focused on treatment of sports and non-sports related concussions as well as various causes of dizziness. Chelsea has been involved with the CCATP and baseline testing of athletes in Mobile and Baldwin counties. She is an integral part of the CCATP at USA Health treating many athletes at the college and high school level using vestibular physical therapy and achieving excellent results with accelerated safe return to play.
