Since 2013, Lehighton Area School District has proudly worked in conjunction with Lehigh
Valley Health Network to provide Sports Medicine services to their athletes. Lehighton Area
School District currently has 3 full-time certified athletic trainers (ATC) on staff as well as an
on-site sports performance coach.
Our ATCs are on site to provide first-line injury evaluation and treatment recommendations for
student athletes based on education and experience. Their primary goal is to have all athletes
back competition as soon it is safely possible. Through LVHN, our ATCs have priority access to
scheduling physician appointments for injured athletes as well as direct communication with
physicians and physical therapists to help aid in the continuity of care.
LVHN proudly partners with local high schools, colleges, and professional sports teams to
provide specialized athletic training services. Our trained, certified athletic trainers stay on-site at
your school, ready to evaluate sports-related injuries and make appropriate treatment
recommendations.
Our certified athletic trainers provide first-line injury evaluation and treatment recommendations
to student athletes. We are an in-house resource, helping your team manage injuries quickly and
effectively.
Kristen Gieniec LAT, ATC
Kristen graduated from Panther Valley High School in 2003 where she participated in basketball and track. Kristen always aspired of working in the medical field growing up, during high school she was influenced by her athletic director to pursue a career in athletic training. Kristen attended Lock Haven University and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 2007. Upon graduation, Kristen began her career with OAA (Orthopedic Associates of Allentown) and started working in the physical therapy setting. In the fall of 2008, a position became available at Lehighton Area School District and Kristen has been enjoying her time with the Indians ever since. In 2022, Kristen became the Head Athletic Trainer at Lehighton Area School District. She currently resides in the Panther Valley area with her dog Gus.
Abraham Gillespie M.S., LAT, ATC, PES
Abe graduated from Whitehall High School in 2005 where he participated in cross country,
track, and basketball. He would go on to earn his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from
Lock Haven University in 2010. While working on his under-grad degree Abe had the privilege to do an internship at Princeton University working with the men's lacrosse team. In 2011 Abe would receive his master's degree from California of Pennsylvania in exercise science. His concentration was in performance enhancement and injury prevention. Along with his degree he would also earn a NASM certification as a performance enhancement specialist. While completing his master's degree he would work at Ursinus College. Abe has been working at Lehighton Area school district as an athletic trainer since 2011.
Jay D. Rehrig, LAT, ATC
Jay has been a practicing athletic trainer since 2001. He graduated from Northern Lehigh HS in 1996 where he participated in football and track. After a leg injury in football in the fall of
1995, Jay became interested in sports medicine while getting to know his high school athletic
trainer. Jay attended East Stroudsburg University where he studied athletic training receiving
his Bachelor’s Degree in 2000. Jay began his career in 2001 with OAA (Orthopedic Associates of Allentown) as an athletic trainer at Parkland School District. Then in 2002, he worked as an
assistant athletic trainer for Allentown School District at Dieruff High School. In 2003, Jay joined the staff at Coordinated Health and began a long career stint of 17 years at Pleasant Valley School District as the Head Athletic Trainer at the high school. In August of 2020, Jay joined Kristen and Abe at Lehighton Area School District where he currently practices. In his spare time, Jay enjoys drumming in a local country music group, Midnight Special Band. He currently lives in Slatington with his wife and two sons.