HeadStrong Community Leadership

Mark X. Cicero MD, FAAP is an associate professor in the section of pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) at the Yale School of Medicine. Prior to this appointment, he completed medical school at State University of New York at Buffalo, pediatrics residency and chief residency at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, and PEM fellowship at Yale. He has designed experiential and didactic curricula in pediatric disaster medicine, and has published original research about disaster medicine educational strategies. His research is sponsored by Emergency Medical Services for Children and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. He has served nationally as a consultant for prehospital and hospital pediatric disaster preparedness. Firsthand disaster experience includes hurricane Isabel in Norfolk VA, as well as an epidemic. He serves as the chair of the pediatrics committee of the National Association of EMS Physicians, and on the National Biodefense Science Board.

Alexander Rogers, MD is a Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Michigan. He has been involved in multi-center interventional and observational research for the past 2 decades, serving as site PI for multiple protocols and the site lead for the PECARN network. Dr. Rogers has experience with implementing studies in the clinical setting, and leads a team of research coordinators who facilitate research at our site. Dr. Rogers is interested in traumatic brain injury as well as neonatal hypothermia and mental health.

Dr. Nate Hunt is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at University of Michigan with a background in EMS and emergency nursing. The early portion of his career focused on clinical practice and evolved to education and training new paramedics and nurses. His passion for EMS continued through medical school, residency, and into fellowship. He currently provides case follow up and education for EMTs, paramedics, and flight nurses within the local hospital catchment, provides medical direction, provides on-site education and exposure to EMS-focused physicians, and trains and operates with local ground- and air-based EMS agencies. He is an active part of numerous EMS research projects including EPOC and M-RISE, among others. He currently serves as the director of research within the EMS division. He plans to continue these projects as well as develop and execute new ideas to further the field of EMS and Emergency Medicine.

Dr. Eckner received his M.D. degree from Case Western Reserve University and his M.S. degree from the University of Michigan in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis. His research addresses mild traumatic brain injury in athletes, including concussion prevention through neck strengthening exercise, concussion biomechanics, determining the role of reaction time testing in concussion assessment, long term effects of concussion on neurological health, as well as, in the management and rehabilitation of athletes. Dr. Eckner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Director of Clinical Research, Michigan NeuroSport and PM&R Concussion Programs, and Director of the PM&R Resident Research Program, in addition to the Michigan Concussion Center’s Research Associate Director.

Dr. Kate Couturier is the EMS Medical for Yale New Haven Hospital’s EMS system covering 12 towns and 27 agencies. She also serves as Dean of the Yale Center for EMS (CEMS) CoAEMSP-accredited paramedic training programs. She previously served as the Associate EMS Medical director and as the Education Medical Director for CEMS. Dr. Couturier is board certified in Emergency Medicine (EM) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Her work focuses on improving operations, safety, and training for EMS clinicians with a special focus on education. She has a background in public health and public health advocacy. Dr. Couturier spent several years on active duty with the US Navy studying circadian rhythm and performance as a Dive Medical Officer being honorably discharged as a Lieutenant Commander. She has contributed chapters to several academic textbooks on dive medicine and circadian biology. Dr. Couturier serves as co-chair for Connecticut’s EMS Medical Advisory Committee’s policy subcommittee.

Daniel J. Corwin, MD, MSCE, is an attending physician and Associate Director of Research in the Division of Emergency Medicine and Emergency Department Lead and Investigator of the Minds Matter Concussion Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Christina L. Master, MD, FAAP, CAQSM, FACSM, FAMSSM, is a pediatric and adolescent primary care sports medicine specialist, as well as an academic general pediatrician, at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). At CHOP, she works with the Division of Orthopedics, the Sports Medicine and Performance Center and the Division of General Pediatrics (Primary Care). Dr. Master is the only pediatric sports medicine specialist with subspecialty board certification in brain injury medicine (BIM) in the region. She practices sports medicine at CHOP's King of Prussia Campus, and also continues to see primary care patients as a pediatrician at Karabots Pediatric Care Center in West Philadelphia, a practice she's had since she first started at CHOP 30 years ago. In addition, Dr. Master also is a professor of clinical pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Master completed her undergraduate studies at Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, and graduated summa cum laude from The State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY. She completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she also served as chief resident. Dr. Master spent 17 years with the Pediatrics Residency Program at CHOP, 11 of which were as the Associate and Vice Program Director. Dr. Master completed a sabbatical year of fellowship training in primary care sports medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Her research and clinical interests are in the area of pediatric and adolescent concussion. She has received funding for her research from both private and federal funding agencies including the Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Defense. She is an internationally recognized expert on concussion, having written and lectured extensively about concussions in children and adolescents, and is the co-founding co-director of the Minds Matter Concussion Program at CHOP. She is also the mother of three grown children, who participated in activities ranging from track and field to ice hockey while growing up. She has run the Munich, Philadelphia, Budapest, and New York City Marathons and has completed triathlons at the sprint and Olympic distances.

Kelsy’s primary role at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is serving as a Nurse Navigator for the Minds Matter Concussion Program. Additionally, she serves as a Program Manager for CHOP’s Toyota Way Forward Fund project. Before becoming a nurse, Kelsy worked as a Public Health Educator and then Trauma Prevention Coordinator. As a nurse she expertise in trauma/surgical as well as emergency, pre/post anesthesia recovery and orthopedics.

Benjamin holds an MBA with a concentration in New Venture Development, as well as a bachelors degree in Economics; both from SUNY University at Albany. He is a seasoned professional with over a decade of operations management and business development experience in diverse sectors. Recognized for demonstrating a natural aptitude for change management, as well as for business consulting and financial analysis, he has a history of contributing directly to company growth and expansion throughout his career. As such, he has consistently exceeded budgetary and performance goals, and is adept at achieving maximum operational impacts with minimal resource expenditure. Professional focal points include business development, regulatory compliance, process optimization, project management, culture development, strategic planning, and risk mitigation. Delivering superior administration on the latter areas of expertise requires utilization of effective communication and prioritization skills, as well as critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and team building to support efficiency and maximum returns. Ben is a Business Consultant and Project Manager for multiple initiatives and clients, which allows him to best leverage these skillsets.