Educational History

B.S., Health & Fitness Management – Athletic Training, Marymount University; MSPT, Marymount University; PhD in Education, Kinesiology Concentration, George Mason University

Professional Highlights

• Launched the Inova PMR Concussion Clinics (2011): Collaborated with an exceptionally talented and dedicated team to launch the Inova PMR Concussion Clinics, expanding access to comprehensive concussion care across Northern Virginia.
• International Research Presentation (2021): Presented original research at the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• Virginia Concussion Initiative (VCI): Collaborating with an interdisciplinary team at VCI (concussion.gmu.edu) to advance equitable and evidence-based concussion care for all.

Research

• Sanandaji, M., Blackstone, A., Hacherl, S., Desai, D., Cook, N., McGill, C., Martin, J., Kelshaw, P., DeSalvo, G., Madden, M., Avramovic, S., Caswell, S. (2025). A – 41 Concussion in Middle School Student-Athletes Receiving Special Education Services, Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, Volume 40, Issue Supplement_1, July 2025, Page i41, https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acaf058.41.
• Blackstone, A. Examining the Alignment of Virginia Public School Divisions’ Concussion Policies with State Law and Guidelines. [Dissertation]. Fairfax, Virginia: George Mason University; 2024.
• Blackstone, A., McGill, C., Lincoln, A., Piccolini-DeSalvo, G., Kelshaw, P., & Caswell, S. (2024). Barriers to the implementation of public-school concussion policies. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 58 (Suppl 1), A138. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-concussion.363
• Blackstone, A.M., McGill, C., Lincoln, A., Piccolini-DeSalvo, G., Kelshaw, P., & Caswell, S. (2024). Public-school concussion policy compliance with state guidelines. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 58 (Suppl 1), A139–A139. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-concussion.364
• Caswell, S. V., Ferranti, S., Hacherl, S., Kelshaw, P., Lincoln, A., Blackstone, A., & Caswell, A. (2024). The epidemiology of concussion in middle school age wrestlers. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 58(Suppl 1), A139–A140. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-concussion.366
• Hacherl, S. L., Deasi, D., Avarmovic, S., Blackstone, A., Kelshaw, P., Martin, J., Caswell, A., Cortes, N., Herman, D., & Caswell, S. V. (2024). Factors Associated with Concussion Diagnosis in Middle School (MS) Athletes: 795. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 56.10S (2024): 280-281.
• McGill, C., Madden, M., Lincoln, A., Piccolini-DeSalvo, G., Blackstone, A., Kelshaw, P., & Caswell, S. (2024). Level the playing field: Exploring barriers to concussion practices for athletes with intellectual disabilities. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 58(Suppl 1), A147–A147. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-concussion.385
• Blackstone, A. M., Werner, S., McGill, C., Hacherl, S., Kelshaw, P. M., Lincoln, A. E., DeSalvo, G., Cook, N. E., & Caswell, S. V. (2023). Virginians Report Unequal Access to Appropriate Licensed Healthcare Providers for Concussion. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 38(5), 812–812. https://academic.oup.com/acn/article-abstract/38/5/812/7199427
• Blackstone, A.M., Kelshaw, P., Hacherl, S., Erdman, N., Lincoln, A., Dunn, R., Martin, J., Ambegaonkar, J., Cortes, N., Caswell, S. The Epidemiology of Concussion in Middle School Football. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology 36 (2021): 642.
• Eshelman, M., Kelshaw, P., Blackstone, A.M., Hacherl, S., Erdman, N., Caswell, S., & Caswell, A. (2021) Sport Differences in Pediatric Quality of Life Among Middle School Athletes. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000763612.70347.f5

Fields of Expertise

Specialized in the assessment and rehabilitation of individuals with vestibular dysfunction, neurological and balance disorders, and concussion.

Personal Highlights

I have three sons — two in college and one recent graduate. While I’m proud of their academic accomplishments, I’m even prouder that they’ve grown into kind, grounded adults who still return my calls (most of the time).

Recommended Links

concussion.gmu.edu
vci.gmu.edu

Quote

Success is doing good work with good people, driven by good intentions, to make a lasting difference in our community.”