Concussion Certification

Vision | Brain | Functional Neurology

✅ Learn Concussion Phenotypes [categories] and specific protocols for clinical success

✅ COACH CVA² framework developed by Dr. DeAnn Fitzgerald OD

✅ The course integrates objective visual–motor metrics, multi-system therapy, and hands-on clinical application

✅ Increase clinical certainty with specific protocols unique to each clients assessment - increase your clinical outcomes!

✅ Direct hands on experience and continuing mentorship - a completely unique learning experience

Brain

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Vision

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Concussion

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Certification

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Coach CVA²

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Brain ✳︎ Vision ✳︎ Concussion ✳︎ Certification ✳︎ Coach CVA² ✳︎

Why This Certification?

Unique Program Design

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The certification program is designed as a comprehensive, year-long, hybrid education and mentorship experience centered around Dr. DeAnn Fitzgerald’s vision-based concussion management framework: the Coach CVA² model. The structure combines online didactic education, hands-on clinical immersion, mentorship, competency testing, and final certification.

Combines Functional Neurology + Vision

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The course integrates objective visual–motor metrics, multi-system therapy, and hands-on clinical application, allowing participants to immediately translate functional neurology principles into reproducible concussion care.

What makes this program different?

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We combine theory with hands on practical application. We provide online modules [10 modules] starting in January 2027. Then join in Dr. Fitzgerald’s clinic for the practical weekend - spring 2027, where Participants will:

  • Work directly with rehabilitation equipment

  • Practice Coach CVA² implementation

  • Demonstrate competency in assessment and intervention

  • Apply multi-system concussion strategies in clinical scenarios

A mentorship model will complete the year of training, so that by the end of 2027 you will have knowledge, competency, and clinical Certification.

The program content involves:

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  • Neuroanatomy

  • Neurophysiology

  • Vision-based rehabilitation

  • Multi-system concussion management

  • Functional and practical application and competency development

Meet Dr. Fitzgerald, OD

Dr. Fitzgerald has created a unique program based on her vast experience with neuro-rehabilitation within her own clinic structure. She's identified specific concussion phenotypes/categories, and specific protocols that create clinical success for each category: autonomics → posture/spatial → ocular-vestibular integration → cognition.
Her skill as an educator is known through the Optometry and Functional Neurology professions. She's packaged her knowledge into this unique Certification Program - the Coach CVA² model.

COACH CVA² framework

Dr. DeAnn Fitzgerald is a nationally recognized optometrist and leader in neuro-optometric rehabilitation and concussion care, serving on the board as the Immediate Past President of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA).

She is the founder of Cedar Rapids Vision in Motion, a multidisciplinary clinic specializing in the treatment of concussion, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative conditions, where she applies a whole-brain, functional approach to restoring neurological performance and quality of life.

A college athlete and coach herself, Dr. Fitzgerald also developed Active Evolution Studio, a sports vision and concussion-focused performance center that works with amateur and professional athletes across multiple sports. Her work has included implementing large-scale baseline concussion testing programs, with over 20,000 athletes screened, and collaborating with youth football programs to establish near-universal preseason baseline protocols.

Her clinical and performance protocols have gained attention at the highest levels of sport, including interest from the National Football League, reflecting her impact on advancing concussion management and athlete safety.

Dr. Fitzgerald has a special interest in sports vision performance and concussion.  She attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where she played softball and basketball. At Pacific University, she went to the NCAA softball nationals two years in a row. She taught pitching and batting clinics and was umpire in chief of softball tournaments for high school students. Dr. Fitzgerald also played semi-professional softball in the 1980’s.

Dr. Fitzgerald has lectured nationally and internationally about neuro-rehabilitation and concussion. She is CIC certified in ImPACT, which is a web-based product used in concussion management. 

Dr. Fitzgerald is a member of American Optometric Association (AOA), Iowa Optometric Association (IOA), College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), Optometric Extension Program Foundation (OEPF), and International Association of Functional Neurology and Rehabilitation (IAFNR).

Certification Program Details

  • Structure

    • 10 online modules

    • Approximately 50 minutes each

    • Hosted online (Kajabi - IAFNR platform)

    • Includes quizzes and CE tracking components

    Topics Include - Built around Coach CVA² phenotypes and the sequence: autonomics → posture/spatial → ocular-vestibular integration → cognition

    • VOR and VOR cancellation

    • Gaze stabilization

    • Visual motor systems

    • Multi-system therapy

    • Neuroanatomy

    • Neurophysiology

    • Vision-centered rehabilitation strategies

    Assessment Requirements

    • 10–12 multiple-choice questions after each module

    • Final comprehensive online summary test

    • Completion required before attending hands-on training - some type of checklist and confirmation - with clear language so people don’t think they can show up WITHOUT having done this!

    Goals

    Participants must:

    • Understand foundational neurophysiology

    • Learn Coach CVA² phenotypes

    • Develop competency in vision-centered concussion assessment

    • Prepare for hands-on implementation

  • Before attending the in-person component, participants must:

    Required Completion

    • Finish all online modules

    • Pass online testing/checklists

    • Complete pre-screening competency requirements

    Purpose

    This ensures:

    • Participants arrive prepared

    • Hands-on time is used efficiently

    • Skill level is standardized before clinical immersion

  • Friday

    • Skill review

    • Guided implementation

    • Equipment familiarization

    • Pod-based learning stations

    Saturday

    • Hands-on competency testing

    • Station-based assessments

    • Protocol implementation testing

    • Clinical application scenarios

    Sunday

    • Remediation

    • Additional support

    • Skill reinforcement for participants needing extra assistance

    Hands-On Training Goals

    Participants will:

    • Work directly with rehabilitation equipment

    • Practice Coach CVA² implementation

    • Demonstrate competency in assessment and intervention

    • Apply multi-system concussion strategies in clinical scenarios

  • The mentorship phase is intended to:

    • Help practitioners integrate protocols into practice

    • Troubleshoot cases

    • Reinforce clinical decision-making

    • Improve implementation confidence

    • Transition participants from learning to mastery

  • Requirements

    Participants Must:

    1. Pass online module testing - each module test, then we did discuss possible ‘end of full 10 module testing’

    2. Complete competency check-offs during hands-on weekend

    3. Successfully complete mentorship participation

    4. Deliver a final case presentation via Zoom

    Final Case Presentation

    Participants will:

    • Present a patient case

    • Demonstrate understanding of Coach CVA² sequencing

    • Explain clinical reasoning

    • Show application of vision-centered protocols

    This acts as the final demonstration of competency.

  • Upon successful completion of all phases:

    • Participants earn Coach CVA² Certification

    • Certified in Dr. DeAnn Fitzgerald’s Vision-Centered Multi-System Concussion Framework

    • Become part of an ongoing professional development network

    1. Yearly membership in IAFNR as part of our professional network.

    2. Yearly University Accredited Continuing Education - 15 hours of specialty focused CE hours in the core topics of Functional Neurosciences, Concussion, TBI etc.

    3. Yearly case study and/or literature review - continuing writing, learning and research to advance the Concussion | Brain | TBI | Research

2027 In Person Event

Cedar Rapids - Active Evolution Studio

“Dr. Fitzgerald is an excellent communicator and teacher. She takes complex Functional Neurology and Vision centered concepts and breaks them down into practical protocols of assessment, and treatment.”

Dr. Hughes