Norwin OKs 5-year sports medicine pact with Excela Health

Joe Napsha, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·2 min read

May 11—Excela Health Medical Group of Greensburg will continue to provide sports medicine services for Norwin's athletes for the next five years.

The school board approved the $210,00 contract with Excela on Monday after asking Allegheny Health Network, Excela and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center last month to resubmit bids for the contract, which begins July 1.

The cost of three full-time certified athletic trainers from Excela Health will be about $42,000 annually. The contract includes the services of one board-certified physician for $75,000, or $15,000 per year.

"We're very excited about working with Excela Health as a community partner," Taylor said.

Excela was awarded the contract after amending its initial bid. The administration had recommended at the April 12 workshop meeting that the contract be awarded to Allegheny Health Network, which Taylor said at the time was offering Norwin the best deal. But at the April 19 meeting, the school board agreed toamend the original proposal, setting an April 23 deadline for revised proposals.

Allegheny Health Network and UPMC did not revise their bids by the April 23 deadline, Taylor said.

During the board's April 19 meeting, about 50 student athletes showed up in support of Excela's trainers, David and Angela Snowberger. An online petition began in support of the pair.

Unlike the contract proposed by Allegheny Health Network — which included naming rights to the high school gymnasium — the deal with Excela Health does not have that component, Taylor said. Excela's proposal includes $150,000 in sponsorship credit over the five-year contract, equal to about $30,000 annually.

Excela has agreed to participate in the district's career fair, providing students with career advice. Students will be permitted to witness surgical operations at Excela and participate in field trips to Excela facilities to learn more about health care, Taylor said.

Excela will display student artwork at its Norwin Square facility along Route 30 in North Huntingdon, Taylor said. It also will join in the school's wellness fairs, providing students, staff and the community with services such as blood pressure checks.

Joe Napsha is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe at 724-836-5252, jnapsha@triblive.com or via Twitter .