James Vodvarka

Dr. James Vodvarka, D.O. went to the University of Pittsburgh where he obtained his bachelor of science degree, and after that he obtained his medical degree at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. He then did his residency at Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh in Internal Medicine, and has been board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine since 1992. Dr. Vodvarka met Mike Webster through a teammate whom asked him to evaluate Mike do to conflicting reports from other physician's concerning Mike's mental state. Dr. Vodvarka made the diagnosis of traumatic brain injury at the first visit. He also hypothesized at this time that the cause of Mike's injury was due to "repetitive brain trauma" caused by repeated concussions during Mike's professional football career. Dr. Vodvarka was also the first physician to use the term "chronic traumatic encephalopathy" to describe Mike's injury making Dr. Vodvarka, and Mike Webster the "ground zero" for the concussion crisis as it exists today. Due to the NFL's resistance to accept the fact that professional football was responsible for causing Mikes condition, Dr. Vodvarka also initiated putting the team together which eventually challenged the NFL in court which ended up as a landmark decision in Mike's favor. With the help of Bob Fitzsimmons (Mike's attorney), and Sunny Jani (Mike's best friend/caregiver), a team of psychologist's, physician's, and attorney's were assembled setting the stage for a precedent case that would put traumatic brain injuries/concussions on then forefront of several sports throughout the world. Mike would later say prior to his death in 2002 that this was the most important team that he was ever on. He used the same dedication while he was alive researching to the best of his ability traumatic brain injuries/concussions, and hypothesized that he was not the only player in the league suffering from brain trauma. He was also very determined to help all the past players in the NFL get help if they exhibited signs of traumatic brain injury, and present/future player's with the education to play the game safely so they would not suffer as he did. This was his goal, and he was truly a great man.