About Us

The Maine Concussion Managment Initiative (MCMI) was founded in 2009, through a generous grant from the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement at Colby College. The goal of our program is to enhance the health and safety of Maine high school athletes by educating medical practitioners and school administrators about the dangers of traumatic brain injury and the importance of consistent concussion management.  We are a group of physicians, parents, athletic trainers, neuropsychologists, teachers, and other professionals dedicated to minimizing the effects of concussion on Maine youth.

The mission of MCMI is to improve the safety of Maine's youth by increasing awareness, promoting advocacy, and standardizing the management of activity related concussions.

Dr. Atkins is currently serving as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology and the Coordinator of Multicultural Student Programs and Support at Colby College, where he has worked for 4 years. 

After working nearly 10 years for IBM, Joe decided to go back to school.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Vassar College, where he held a dual major in Computer Science and Cognitive Science.  He then went on to get his PhD in Brain and Cognitive Sciences from the University of Rochester.  His areas of expertise are: visual learning, perceptual learning, cognitive science, virtual reality, sensory integration, decision making with uncertainty, visual deficits due to brain damage, artificial intelligence.
 
Dr. Atkins currently lives in Skowhegan with his wife, Holly.

Dr. Paul Berkner is currently serving as the Director of Health Services at Colby College in Waterville, ME.  Formerly, he practiced with  Middlebury Pediatric Medicine.  He received his D.O. from the University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Morristown Memorial Hospital.  Dr. Berkner specializes in pediatrics.

Dr. Heinz specializes in the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of sports-related musculoskeletal injuries. He received his undergraduate degree from Indiana's Purdue University and then graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine and then went on to perform a fellowship in primary care sports medicine, where he subspecialized in shoulder injuries. Dr. Heinz holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine. He is an adjunct professor at the University of New England. Dr. Heinz is the team physician for the Portland Sea Dogs and a team physician for U.S. Soccer. He is also the company physician for the Portland Ballet and the orthopaedic consultant for Bridgton Academy, Gould Academy and Deering High School.

Caroline Wade

Sonia Vargas

Vince Galea