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St. Luke’s University Health Network has been selected as the Official Sports Medicine Provider for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association championship events.
The two-year agreement began with the current fall season and runs through 2023-24 academic year.
St. Luke’s will provide athletic trainers at all PIAA high school championship events, which include 12 boys and 11 girls state championship events: Cross Country, Golf, Tennis, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Spirit, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Football, Wrestling, Basketball, Track and Field, Lacrosse, Baseball and Softball. Additionally, St. Luke’s will provide physician services in support of athletic trainers during the Cross Country, Football, Wrestling and Track and Field championship events.
“We were well aware of the success that District XI has with St. Luke’s,” said Robert Lombardi, the Executive Director of PIAA, which is the governing body for high school, middle school and junior high school sports in Pennsylvania. “It was certainly a feather in their cap, and we took notice. We are looking forward to a terrific relationship.”
St. Luke’s is also the Official Sports Medicine Provider for PIAA District XI Championships, which encompasses scholastic sports in the Lehigh Valley Region.
“St. Luke’s Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Care was selected by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Executive Board based on its reputation for delivering the highest quality services in PIAA District XI,” said Douglas W. Lundy, MD, MBA, FAOA, FACS, the Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and orthopedic trauma surgeon for St. Luke’s University Health Network.
“There are a lot of high-profile programs out there, but the Executive Board identified St. Luke’s based on our proven track record to provide this service. Our team of orthopedic surgeons and primary care sports medicine physicians will provide services at select events, including the PIAA State Wrestling Championships, and our athletic trainers have worked with the PIAA Executive Committee and Sport Committee leaders to review plans and establish the team of athletic trainers and physicians needed to exceed all expectations. Our reputation from working the District 11 championships was essential in continuing PIAA’s trust in our quality and access.”
John Hauth, EdD, LAT, ATC and the Senior Director for Sports Medicine Relationships at St. Luke’s, who is also a member of the PIAA’s Sports Medicine Committee, said that St. Luke’s Sports Medicine will provide two orthopedic surgeons on site at the PIAA Wrestling Championships, and one at each PIAA championship Football game, Cross Country and Track and Field championship.
“PIAA was making a change in their program at the state championships,” Hauth said. “We had good relationships with PIAA through our local District XI, and they were aware of the tremendous service we provide, so they reached out to us.
“When you look at what PIAA represents, close to 350,000 student-athletes at almost 1,500 schools across the Commonwealth, there are a lot of good sports medicine programs out there, and to have been asked and selected to provide these services is an honor and a tribute to the grassroots efforts of our staff, their expertise and abilities.”
