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A photo of Paul Gubanich.

Fellowship Director, Division of Sports Medicine

Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

513-803-4878

Board Certified

My Biography & Research

Biography

I am a sports medicine physician within the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s. My specialty interests include sport concussion, traumatic brain injury, injury prevention, sports performance and promotion of healthy lifestyles. I value partnering with patients to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that meets their needs and goals. My ambition is to treat every patient like one of my family members.

I enjoy working with children as it is particularly impactful. Most health habits form at a young age. Encouraging our youth to achieve the rewards of engaging in physical activity and sports promises to provide them the tools for a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.

The complexity of the human body, with its amazing functions and healing capabilities, inspired me to become a physician and a researcher. My research interests include the evaluation of management tools and treatments to improve outcomes from concussion. I am also focused on preventing injuries through the promotion of physical activity and exercise to treat medical conditions.

I have cared for athletes of all levels – from the weekend warrior to the professional – including on the medical staff of several professional and collegiate organizations. I was honored to be an elected Fellow to the American College of Sports Medicine, one of the largest sports medicine societies in the world. I also serve on the research committee and faculty for the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.

My work has allowed me to fulfill my passion for promoting positive health behavior and physical activity for athletes of all ages and levels.

In my free time, I enjoy coaching youth sports, traveling and being active outdoors. I also enjoy spending time with my family (and pets).

Clinical Interests

Sports concussion; medical problems in athletes; injury prevention; performance enhancement;  musculoskeletal ultrasound

Research Interests

Sports concussion; promotion of positive health behavior; injury prevention

Academic Affiliation

Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

Divisions

Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine

My Locations

My Education

Undergraduate: Ohio University, Athens, OH, 1997.

Medical School: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 2001.

Residency: Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 2004.

Fellowship: Sports Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 2005.

Graduate: Masters of Public Health, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 2007.

My Publications

Altered brain microstructure in association with repetitive subconcussive head impacts and the potential protective effect of jugular vein compression: A longitudinal study of female soccer athletes. Myer, GD; Foss, KB; Thomas, S; Galloway, R; DiCesare, CA; Dudley, J; Gadd, B; Leach, J; Smith, D; Gubanich, P; et al. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2019; 53:1539-1551.

Neurocognitive and Quality of Life Improvements Associated With Aerobic Training for Individuals With Persistent Symptoms After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Secondary Outcome Analysis of a Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial. Gladstone, E; Narad, ME; Hussain, F; Quatman-Yates, CC; Hugentobler, J; Wade, SL; Gubanich, PJ; Kurowski, BG. Frontiers in Neurology. 2019; 10.

Performance Times for the King-Devick Test in Children and Adolescents. Gubanich, PJ; Gupta, R; Slattery, E; Logan, K. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2019; 29:374-378.

Short Sleep and Adolescents' Performance on a Concussion Assessment Battery: An Experimental Sleep Manipulation Study. Beebe, DW; Powers, SW; Slattery, EW; Gubanich, PJ. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2018; 28:395-397.

White matter alterations over the course of two consecutive high-school football seasons and the effect of a jugular compression collar: A preliminary longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging study. Yuan, W; Foss, KD B; Thomas, S; DiCesare, CA; Dudley, JA; Kitchen, K; Gadd, B; Leach, JL; Smith, D; Altaye, M; et al. Human Brain Mapping. 2018; 39:491-508.

Structural Connectivity Related to Persistent Symptoms After Mild TBI in Adolescents and Response to Aerobic Training: Preliminary Investigation. Yuan, W; Wade, SL; Quatman-Yates, C; Hugentobler, JA; Gubanich, PJ; Kurowski, BG. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 2017; 32:378-384.

Neck Collar with Mild Jugular Vein Compression Ameliorates Brain Activation Changes during a Working Memory Task after a Season of High School Football. Yuan, W; Leach, J; Maloney, T; Altaye, M; Smith, D; Gubanich, PJ; Foss, KD B; Thomas, S; DiCesare, CA; Kiefer, AW; et al. Journal of Neurotrauma. 2017; 34:2432-2444.

Aerobic Exercise for Adolescents With Prolonged Symptoms After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: An Exploratory Randomized Clinical Trial. Kurowski, BG; Hugentobler, J; Quatman-Yates, C; Taylor, J; Gubanich, PJ; Altaye, M; Wade, SL. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 2017; 32:79-89.

Analysis of head impact exposure and brain microstructure response in a season-long application of a jugular vein compression collar: a prospective, neuroimaging investigation in American football. Myer, GD; Yuan, W; Foss, KD B; Thomas, S; Smith, D; Leach, J; Kiefer, AW; Dicesare, C; Adams, J; Gubanich, PJ; et al. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2016; 50:1276-1285.

The Effects of External Jugular Compression Applied during Head Impact Exposure on Longitudinal Changes in Brain Neuroanatomical and Neurophysiological Biomarkers: a Preliminary Investigation. Myer, GD; Yuan, W; Foss, KD B; Smith, D; Altaye, M; Reches, A; Leach, J; Kiefer, AW; Khoury, JC; Weiss, M; et al. Frontiers in Neurology. 2016; 7:74-00074.