WVU Medicine offers VIP concussion care for domestic violence survivors

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Survivors of domestic violence who suffer repeated head injuries now have access to specialized, top-tier concussion treatment through a first-of-its-kind program at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI).

“One of the biggest misconceptions about concussion is that it’s most common in athletes. That simply isn’t true,” Javier Cárdenas, M.D., director of the RNI Concussion and Brain Injury Center, said. “Falls are the most common cause, and for domestic violence survivors, the number of concussions is often described as ‘too many to count.’ These patients deserve the same level of treatment and support as professional athletes, and that’s exactly what we provide.” 

The Domestic Violence Injury Program (dVIP) provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for symptoms like headaches, dizziness, memory problems, and vision changes. A team of 13 specialists, including neurologists, psychologists, and rehabilitation therapists, works together to create individualized treatment plans.

Patients are prioritized with concierge-style support, including curated appointment schedules, advanced therapies like float tanks and light therapy, and complimentary meals for patients and families.

“What’s heartbreaking is that many of these concussions go untreated because the focus is often on safety and the social aspects of domestic violence,” Dr. Cárdenas said. “That’s understandable, but these patients also need medical care. The good news is concussion symptoms are treatable. We can help.”

Since opening in 2024, the program has already cared for nearly 50 survivors, working closely with shelters and the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence to ensure safe, confidential access.

“It’s never too late to seek care, even if an injury happened years ago,” Cárdenas said. “Survivors should know they are never too far gone.”

To learn more about concussion care and the Domestic Violence Injury Program at WVU Medicine’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, visit WVUMedicine.org/Concussion.

Cárdenas shares more about the hidden toll of head injuries, the importance of early treatment, and how WVU Medicine is prioritizing survivors in a recent episode of the Live Healthy WV podcast, Domestic Violence: VIP Brain Injury Treatment for Survivors. 

About Live Healthy WV
Live Healthy WV, a podcast presented by WVU Medicine, aims to help everyone live a better, healthier life in West Virginia and beyond. Find the latest episodes of Live Healthy WV on the MetroNews website or MetroNews TV app.