Brian Vernau, MD, FAAP, CAQSM

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Brian Vernau, MD, FAAP, CAQSM, is a pediatric sports medicine specialist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) with expertise in primary care sports medicine.

Areas of Expertise: Pediatric and adolescent injuries and injury prevention, Concussions, Overuse injuries, Medical issues in athletes, Exercise intolerance, Exercise in chronic illness, Special interest in lacrosse athletes
Locations: Specialty Care, King of Prussia; Specialty Care & Surgery Center, Brandywine Valley; Middleman Family Pavilion

Appointments, Referrals and Video Visits: 215-590-1527

Background

Brian Vernau, MD, FAAP, CAQSM, is a pediatric sports medicine specialist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in the Division of Orthopaedics and the Sports Medicine and Performance Center.

Dr. Vernau specializes in treating sprains, strains, concussions and overuse injuries in youth athletes. He focuses on movement patterns and injury prevention to keep athletes on the field in the future.

Dr. Vernau treats athletes with chronic medical conditions that may affect their athletic performance. He has a special interest in athletes with medical conditions such as difficulty breathing (exercise induced asthma, vocal cord dysfunction), colds, flu, and other illnesses, abdominal pain or reflux, hemophilia, cancer survivors, and athletic skin conditions. Exercise is medicine, even if you have a history of hemophilia, cancer, sickle cell disease, lung disease, gastrointestinal issues, or skin conditions! Dr. Vernau enjoys helping these athletes find activities that are safe to participate in, given their medical condition.

Dr. Vernau is the team physician at Kennett High School. He also provides medical coverage at lacrosse and soccer tournaments throughout the Philadelphia region year-round.

He works primarily in Glen Mills, PA, at the CHOP Specialty Care & Surgery Center, Brandywine Valley, and at the Specialty Care & Surgery Center, King of Prussia.

Dr. Vernau completed his undergraduate studies and medical degree at Penn State University. He completed his pediatric residency at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where he received the Arnold Gold Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award. He completed his fellowship training in sports medicine at CHOP.

He lectures extensively throughout the region about medical conditions in athletes, concussions, and injury prevention in youth sports. He serves on the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine educational committee. He is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness and the American College of Sports Medicine. He is active in the community in lacrosse and roller hockey and as a very novice runner.

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, University Park, PA

Residency

Pediatrics - Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus OH

Fellowship

Pediatric Sports Medicine - The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia PA

Board Certification

Pediatrics – American Board of Pediatrics
Sports Medicine – American Board of Pediatrics

Titles and Academic Titles

Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialist

Conditions Treated

Departments and Services

Publications

Papers

2023

Vernau BT, Haider MN, Fleming A, Leddy JJ, Willer BS, Storey EP, Grady MF, Mannix R, Meehan W, Master CL.: Exercise-Induced Vision Dysfunction Early After Sport-Related Concussion Is Associated With Persistent Postconcussive Symptoms. Clin J Sport Med Mar 2023.

2021

Leddy JJ, Master CL, Mannix R, Wiebe DJ, Grady MF, Meehan WP, Storey EP, Vernau BT, Brown NJ, Hunt D, Mohammed F, Mallon A, Rownd K, Arbogast KB, Cunningham A, Haider MN, Mayer AR, Willer BS.: Early targeted heart rate aerobic exercise versus placebo stretching for sport-related concussion in adolescents: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Child Adolesc Health 5(11): 792-799, Nov 2021.

2018

Vernau BT, Stephenson DJ. “Delayed Onset Abducens Palsy in a Concussed Child.” Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2018;17(1):20-22.

2015

Vernau BT, Grady MF, Goodman A, Wiebe DJ, Basta L, Park Y, Arbogast KB, Master CL. Oculomotor and Neurocognitive Assessment of Youth Ice Hockey Players: Baseline Associations and Observations After Concussion. Dev Neuropsychol. 2015 Jan;40(1):7-11.

“Just a contusion?” Kidney laceration in a Collegiate Football Player, Published to AAP Sports Medicine Case Studies

Posters and Presentations

Lectures by invitation

2023

"Injury Prevention in Lacrosse," NXT Lacrosse Club Philadelphia, PA

"Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus," Radiology/Orthopedics Joint Grand Rounds, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (Regional audience

2022

"Uniquely Pediatric Injuries." Delaware County Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds, Drexel Hill, PA

"Sacroiliac Joint Disease," Radiology/Orthopedics Joint Grand Rounds, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (Regional audience)

2021

"Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome," Radiology/Orthopedics Joint Grand Rounds, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (Regional audience)

2019

"Medical Issues in Athletes", West Chester University Athletic Training Guest Lecture, West Chester, PA

2018

"Medical Issues in Athletes", West Chester University Athletic Training Guest Lecture, West Chester, PA

"Concussion: From Sideline Management to RTP," Adam Taliaferro Foundation 2018 Sports Medicine Symposium, Penn State Brandywine, Brandywine, PA

"Sports Participation with Bleeding Disorders: Keeping it Safe," Region III Annual Meeting, Hemophilia Treatment Centers, Washington D.C.

2018

Vernau BT. “Sports Participation with Bleeding Disorders: Keeping it Safe.” Region III Annual Meeting, Hemophilia Treatment Centers. May 8, 2018.

Vernau BT. “Concussion: From Sideline Management To RTP.” Adam Taliaferro Foundation 2018 Sports Medicine Symposium. April 13, 2018.

2017

Vernau BT. “Delayed Abducens Palsy in a Concussed Child.” Podium presentation at American College of Sports Medicine national conference. June 1, 2017.

2016

Vernau B. Medical Issues in Athletes. West Chester University, West Chester, PA; March 24, 2016. 

Vernau B. Concussion management. CHOP Primary Care Kennett Square; March 2, 2016.

2015

Dhanota A, Vernau B, Wiebe DJ, Basta L, Grady MF, Master CL. Balance Assessment of Youth Ice Hockey Players: Baseline Correlations and Observations Following Concussion. Presented at: 2015 AMSSM National Conference; 2015 Apr 14-19; Hollywood, FL.

Vernau B. Medical Issues in Athletes. Crozer Chester Hospital Grand Rounds, Chester, PA; July 7, 2015. 

Vernau B. Physical exam workshop, CHOP Adolescent Medicine; May 18, 2015. 

Vernau B. Uniquely Pediatric Injuries. Penn PM&R resident conference, Philadelphia, PA; April 29, 2015.

Vernau B. Game Day Nutrition and Hydration. SafeKids symposium, CHOP Virtua; March 3, 2015. 

2014

Vernau B. Respiratory Infections in Athletes. West Chester University, West Chester, PA; April 3, 2014

Vernau B. Ultrasound in Sports Medicine. Fellow’s Conference. Aria 3B and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; March 19, 2014.

2013

Vernau B. Concussion: Evaluation and Management of the Athlete. Fellow’s Conference. Aria 3B and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; November 27, 2013.

Vernau B. ICM Musculoskeletal Workshop. University of Pennsylvania Perelman College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA. November 5, 2013.

Editorial and Academic Positions

Editorial Positions

2015-present, Case Reviewer, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in Professional Organizations

2013-present, American College of Sports Medicine

2013-present, American Academy of Pediatrics

- 2013-present, Member, Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness

2013-present, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

- 2014-present, Member, Education Committee