Brian Vernau, MD, FAAP, CAQSM

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Brian Vernau, MD, FAAP, CAQSM, is a sports medicine pediatrician 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 & Surgery Center, Brandywine Valley; Specialty Care & Surgery Center, King of Prussia

Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Background

Brian Vernau, MD, FAAP, CAQSM, is a sports medicine pediatrician 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

Certificate of Additional Qualification in Sports Medicine (CAQSM)
Pediatrics

Titles and Academic Titles

Sports Medicine Pediatrician

Conditions Treated

Departments and Services

Publications

Papers

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

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