St. Luke's University Health Network and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association's District 11 are teaming up to provide all District 11 schools and teams with technically advanced and responsive care and training for athletes.

"St. Luke's is already the official medical provider for the Lehigh Valley SteelHawks and the Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center," said John Hauth, manager of Sports Medicine Relationships, St. Luke's University Health Network."We also provide on-site, emergency and ongoing care for athletes at a host of schools in and around the Lehigh Valley, the Poconos and the Schuylkill County region. We now have the opportunity to do that for the entire District 11 as needed."Hauth added, "This is an opportunity and a responsibility that we accept with great commitment and enthusiasm."St. Luke's provides a full spectrum of sports-related medical services including orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, athletic training, physical therapy, primary care sports medicine, a concussion program, sports performance facilities and fitness centers."In addition to some co-branding and co-marketing efforts, St. Luke's will be providing on-site athletic training services, on-call and on-site physician services, medical and athletic training supplies and expertise and care where and when needed," Hauth said."St. Luke's is singularly well-positioned and equipped to handle the emergent and ongoing care for athletes. We have the most comprehensive services and the most integrated system in the region to do this.""PIAA District 11 is excited to enter in to a partnership with St. Luke's University Health Network," says Robert Hartman, PIAA District XI Chairman and Athletic Director for Whitehall High School."The educational mission and health and fitness resources of St. Luke's are important as we form a partnership between a dynamic educational institution and an organization of junior high and high schools. We look forward to the growth of this partnership."Hauth said St. Luke's and District 11 are establishing two $1,000 scholarships, to be awarded annually to senior District 11 athletes."Every bit as important as caring for our athletes, is raising the awareness of athletic injuries; educating parents, coaches and athletes about injury prevention; and doing everything we can, through this partnership, to keep our athletes safe," Hauth said.