Chief of Neurology at Baptist Medical Center Named Independent Neurologist for Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville, Florida, February 6, 2010 -- Sean C. Orr, MD, chief of neurology at Baptist Medical Center, has been named independent neurologist for the Jacksonville Jaguars; his partner, neurologist Syed Asad, MD, will assume the role as independent neurologist for the team in Dr. Orr's absence.

As the Jacksonville Jaguars' independent neurologist, Dr. Orr will be responsible for evaluating the neurological condition of players after they have suffered a concussion during a practice or game to determine when it is safe to return to play.

Dr. Orr was selected by Jacksonville Jaguars team physician David Murray, MD, who said, "I have worked with Dr. Orr through Baptist Health's stroke program and in the Emergency Center at Baptist Medical Center. I selected him as independent neurologist for the Jacksonville Jaguars after witnessing his competence and skill in the field of neurology. He is a great addition to the Jacksonville Jaguars' medical team."

Dr. Orr's appointment is in response to the NFL's new and expanded return-to-play policy regarding concussions, according to an NFL news release dated 12/2/09. The release says, "The stricter 2009 statement on return-to-play was developed by the NFL's medical committee on concussions in conjunction with team doctors, outside medical experts, and the NFL Players Association in order to provide more specificity in making return-to-play decisions. The new guidance supplements the 2007 statement on return-to-play that encouraged team physicians and athletic trainers to continue to take a conservative approach to treating concussions. This established that a player should not return to the same game after a concussion if the team medical staff determined that he had lost consciousness."