Concussion Specialists

The Concussion Program is led by Cynthia LaBella, MD. Dr. LaBella is board certified in both pediatrics and sports medicine. She is the medical director for the Institute for Sports Medicine at Lurie Children’s and associate professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. LaBella has more than 10 years of experience in sports medicine and concussion care. She directs the concussion program’s research efforts, including a community-based project to guide schools in developing return to classroom protocols for students recovering from concussions.

Rebecca Carl, MD, is an attending physician in pediatric sports medicine and non-operative orthopaedics at Lurie Children’s and assistant professor of pediatrics at the Feinberg. In addition to her work with our concussion program, her knowledge and experience includes a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, sports injury prevention, and the Ponseti Method for clubfoot treatment. She is currently leading a research and advocacy project to provide concussion education to Chicago Park District youth sports programs. Dr. Carl is also a co-author on the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement, "Returning to Learning Following a Concussion."

Brian Tho Hang, MD, is an attending physician at Lurie Children’s specializing in pediatric sports medicine and emergency medicine. He is a clinical instructor of pediatrics at the Feinberg School. He is leading our team’s current research to evaluate age-appropriate clinical tools for pediatricians to use when evaluating and , is an attending physician at Lurie Children’s specializing in pediatric sports medicine and emergency medicine. He is a clinical instructor of pediatrics at the Feinberg School. He is leading our team’s current research to evaluate age-appropriate clinical tools for pediatricians to use when evaluating and managing young athletes with concussions.

Sigrid Wolf, MD, is an attending physician in the Division of Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care, and the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. 

Jacqueline Turner, MSN, APN, FNP-BC, is a certified pediatric advanced practice nurse at Lurie Children’s specializing in orthopaedics, sports medicine and concussion care.

Kristi McCracken, MBA, ATC, is a certified athletic trainer. As Sports Medicine Coordinator and Head Athletic Trainer for our Institute for Sports Medicine, she offers her expertise in athletic training for children and adolescents.