In this episode of Brain Bros, we sit down with Dr. Roger Zemek, a leading pediatric emergency physician-scientist whose work has reshaped modern concussion care. We explore his path into pediatric emergency medicine, what drew him to concussion research, and how projects like the 5P prediction tool and large multi-centre collaborations have improved diagnosis, prognosis, and recovery for young people with concussion.

Dr. Zemek also shares insights on the changing landscape of concussion management—from debunking rest-only myths to embracing early, safe activity—and discusses the vision behind the TRANSCENDENT program, a transformative effort to identify new markers of recovery. He reflects on translating research into real-world practice, the future of concussion care, and the big questions that continue to drive his work.

Welcome to the first episode of our podcast on concussions! We kick things off by looking back at the history of concussion, sharing key resources and initiatives in Canada, and giving you a sense of what you can expect from future episodes.