Concussion Clinic

Dr. Higgins guides concussion clinic patient
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Hours of Service

Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fridays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Patient Eligibility

  • University of Nebraska students from all campuses
  • Community members
First aid kit

Services Covered By Student Fees

  • Concussion Clinic services are not covered by student fees

Get Diagnosed and Treated for a Concussion

A concussion is a mild brain injury caused by a blow to the head, face or body. Concussions may cause loss of consciousness, but not all do. Patients may have a variety of symptoms that require specialized care from an experienced qualified provider.

At the concussion clinic, our expert neuropsychologist can diagnose concussions as well as treat and manage symptoms. We help students get the therapy they need to fully restore all brain function and transition back into physical activity and schoolwork. We also clear student-athletes to return to their sport following a concussive episode.

Common reasons to visit the clinic include:

  • Car accidents
  • Slips, trips and falls
  • Alcohol-related falls
  • Sports-related head injuries
  • And any other inadvertent injury to the head

Appointments

Appointments are required. Call 402.472.5000 to schedule an appointment. After you've made an appointment, have your primary care provider fax your medical records to the University Health Center. The health center fax number is 402.472.4593.

A doctor’s referral is not required to receive care, but some insurance plans may require a doctor's referral for coverage. Please contact your insurance carrier before scheduling your first appointment.

A no-show is when a patient misses their scheduled appointment without informing the clinic of their cancellation. Only one no-show is allowed for specialty care services (i.e. orthopaedics, optometry, concussion clinic, dermatology and nutrition services). If a patient fails to show up to a scheduled appointment more than once, they will no longer be able to schedule with any specialists at the University Health Center. 

Cost

  • Concussion Clinic visits have a charge, which is not covered by student fees. We can submit charges to private insurance plans.
  • To determine how much your visit will cost, we recommend contacting your health insurance provider for coverage information.
  • Patients are responsible for any charges not covered by insurance.
  • UnitedHealthcare StudentResources insurance holders will be charged a copay for these services.
  • Learn more about billing and insurance.

Location

The Concussion Clinic is located inside Memorial Stadium.

  • Enter through Gate 18, the Nebraska Athletic Performance Lab
  • Take the elevator up to Level C which will open straight into the clinic

Parking

There are reserved parking stalls in the faculty/staff parking lot off of 14th and Vine. These stalls are marked "East Stadium Research Labs".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you have a concussion without losing consciousness?

Yes, losing consciousness isn’t required for the brain to experience a concussion.

What are some lesser-known symptoms of a concussion?

Concussions can cause more than just headaches. Other symptoms include dizziness and nausea (especially when reading, using a computer, or driving), emotional or behavioral changes and sleep disruptions.

How long does it take to recover from a concussion?

It depends on the injury. Normal recovery is typically between 1 and 4 weeks. The research shows that the faster a patient gets into care, the faster their recovery will be.

Meet Our Staff

Kathryn Higgins

Kathryn L Higgins, PsyD, ABPP-CN

Board-certified clinical neuropsychologist

Undergraduate: Psychology and Theology from Fresno Pacific University
Masters: Experimental Psychology from California State University, Fresno
Doctorate: Clinical Psychology with a specialty in Neuropsychology from Forrest Institute of Professional Psychology
Fellowship: Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cerebral Brain and Biology Behavior

I have worked for Nebraska Medicine since 2019. One thing I love about my job is that I get to work with college-aged students. They are often invested in their recovery and have rehabilitation goals they want to achieve. It’s exciting to watch their hard work and see them get better. I also enjoy working with young adults because their injury mechanisms vary widely, and they are a diverse group of patients. In addition to my work here, I also am a truck driver in the Nebraska National Guard. Two fun facts about me: I have two cats (one of which weighs 20 pounds), and I have 12 nieces and nephews.