Cardiac Screenings and Evaluations

Student athletes needing cardiac screening or clearance, prior to participation in any athletic program, can get one by contacting the office directly to schedule a complete cardiac evaluation or by attending a screening offered free of charge through the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes at Barnabas Health. Dr. Rivera works closely with the Barnabas Health screening program director, participating in panel discussions for local schools and groups interested in setting up a program at their facility, and reading EKGs from those screenings. Monmouth-Ocean Children's Heart Center is available for post screening evaluations with priority scheduling. We make every effort to get athletes who can safely return to activity, back on the field as soon as practicable.


The Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes at Barnabas Health is committed to the safety and education of youth athletes. The center provides statewide education, evaluation, and assessment of sports injury and sports related cardiac and concussion screenings. To find out more about how your school or organization can team up with the Morahan Center, please call 973-322-7913 or visit our website at www.barnabashealth.org/morahan

Any student athlete attending one of the Barnabas Health screenings, who is identified and referred for additional cardiac evaluation, will be given priority scheduling for the post screening evaluation. When calling the office for a post screening evaluation, please identify which screening location your child attended. This will enable us to locate the EKG, and other relevant information from the screening.

Please bring cardiac history of both biological parents if available. This would include any diagnosis or prior EKG that parents may have had. This information is very useful when certain arrhythmias or conditions have been detected. Some of these cardiac conditions tend to run in families and siblings may also need evaluations at a later date.

During the post screening evaluation the athlete will receive a repeat EKG, an echocardiogram to identify structural abnormalities, and possibly a holter monitor to rule out or further diagnose arrhythmias.

Once all testing has been completed, and reviewed, along with family history, the athlete may be cleared to return to athletic activity or referred for further testing or management. Either way we are with you through the entire process. We want you back in action as soon as medically practicable.