Posted at: 06/01/2009 5:27 PM | WHEC.com
Updated at: 06/02/2009 11:56 AM
By: Lynette Adams

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Update on URMC CEO injured in bicycle accident

Doctor Bradford Berk, the CEO of the U of R Medical Center, remains in guarded condition after suffering a serious spinal cord injury.

Dr. Berk lost control and fell off his bicycle while going around a curve in Middlesex, Yates County. He underwent two surgeries over the weekend. He continues to have some limited movement in his arms and legs, but it is still too early to tell exactly how much movement he may regain.

Dr. Berk was wearing a helmet and that may have helped save his life. A helmet may be one the most important pieces of equipment bikers wear yet on Monday, News 10BC cameras spotted a number of cyclists riding without one.

Dr. Berk may have a long road to recovery as his body heals from the spinal injuries, but doctors say he doesn't have head injuries to contend with. Strong Hospital says Berk was wearing a helmet when he crashed on Saturday and was lucid enough to give instructions on how to care for his injury.

“Helmets are there to protect your head,” said Jean Triest. She is a traffic safety specialist with Monroe County’s Department of Public Safety. “The force from the crash is what's going to injure you but with a helmet when you have a force it spreads it over a wide area of the helmet.”

Triest says helmets prevent 88-percent of head injuries and 85 percent of traumatic brain injuries.

New York State law requires everyone under the age of 14 to wear a helmet if they are riding a bike, skate board, or non-motorized scooter.

Dr. Bradford Berk has been the CEO of the U of R Medical Center since the summer of 2006. Monday afternoon, hospital officials introduced an interim CEO. Dr. Mark Taubman will take over while Dr. Berk recovers.

Taubman is the Chair of Medicine at the U of R Medical Center.

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