Bella Reber, PTA
EDUCATION: Associates in Science in Physical Therapy Assistant from Central Penn College
CONTACT:
breber@hartzpt.com
717.492.8708
What Makes Bella Special
Bella joined our team during her clinical rotation as a PTA student, and it quickly became clear she was someone we wanted to keep around. Her enthusiasm for patient care and natural ability to connect with people made an immediate impact on both our team and the patients she worked with.
Bella has a diverse background in caring for others. From working as a paraprofessional with preschool students at IU13 to providing dedicated care as a nanny, she’s developed a genuine understanding of what it means to meet people where they are and support them through their needs.
As a former cross country team captain and Lancaster-Lebanon League All Star, Bella also brings the determination and goal-oriented mindset of an athlete, which helps her inspire patients to push through challenges and celebrate their progress.
Want to know more? Here’s a little Q & A…
Why did you choose to be a PTA for your profession?
I have wanted to work in healthcare for a long time but wasn’t exactly sure where to go within the field. During the gap year I took after graduating high school, I tore my ACL, had surgery, and went through PT for recovery. During that time, I learned a lot about what being a PTA entails and realized that it ticked all my boxes for what I wanted in a career! After some further encouragement (specifically my grandmother, who had been pushing me towards PT for months at this point), I finally made the decision to go to school to become a PTA.
What’s something that has surprised you about your chosen career path?
Physical therapy is a much broader profession than I originally realized. From my experience in PT, I was under the impression that most patients were orthopedic related patients. Now that I’ve gotten more experience in the field, I’ve learned just how much can be treated through physical therapy. Just at Hartz, we have clinicians specializing in neuro, vestibular, aquatic, pelvic floor, concussion, and sports therapy. Definitely much more than I had thought initially!
Most important advice you give your patients?
Patience is key- unfortunately PT is not an immediate or magic remedy. Don’t become discouraged if you don’t improve right away or feel as though you hit a plateau. It takes time and patience throughout your treatment, but your hard work during your sessions will always pay off in the end!
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
My dad has always been a fountain of wisdom- some of his advice being good, some being a bit silly. My favorite piece of wisdom from him has been to “be cool”. That one sounds silly, but it is usually given at a time when I need to be reminded to stay calm or react to a situation with grace and composure. It has been a good reminder that most things in life are not worth losing your cool over, as difficult or frustrating as they may be.
Where would you be right now if you had zero obligations and money didn’t matter?
Somewhere tropical! There’s nothing better than spending the day lounging on the beach and swimming in the ocean, exploring a local beach town, going home to take a shower and change into something dry, and then having a delicious dinner. If I could do it every day, I certainly would.
Is there any experience you think everyone should be required to have? What is it?
Absolutely- working in food/customer service! Many people have a skewed understanding of what these jobs entail, and I think it would help a lot of people have more compassion for those working these jobs.
What’s your favorite place locally?
There’s a new coffee shop in Manheim called Today’s Grind that has delicious coffee. Would definitely recommend their iced cookie butter latte to anyone stopping in!
Do you have any pets?
I have 3 lovely cats, Leo, Lucy, and Luigi. I am a cat person through and through!
Favorite Sport to watch? Who’s your team?
I was never a big sport enjoyer until I got into hockey! I love going to Hershey Bear’s games, but as for the NHL, I am a Capitals fan.
What’s your favorite meal of the day?
Dinner! I love a good savory meal- pasta dishes, sushi, wings, soups or anything else of the sorts!
What’s on your bucket list?
Travel as much as possible, starting with seeing as many national parks as I can!