Crystal Hitz, DPT
EDUCATION: Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University | Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Exercise Science from Penn State University.
CERTIFICATIONS:
CONTACT:
chitz@hartzpt.com
717.492.8708
What Makes Crystal Special
Crystal is a local, originally hailing from neighboring Lebanon County where she grew up on her family’s dairy farm. The family farm likely inspired her first exposure to leadership development through public speaking contests with the Little Dutchmen FFA, as well as serving as the 2009-2010 Lebanon County Dairy Princess and Pennsylvania State Alternate Dairy Princess.
Crystal’s background includes clinical experience in the inpatient neuro rehab hospital setting, the outpatient orthopedic setting, and from a clinic leadership perspective at the level of Assistant Clinic Director. She is a Direct Access licensed clinician and has expanded her clinical skillset throughout the years with advanced training in Vestibular & Concussion Rehab, TMD, and has completed parts A-C thus far in her pursuit of a Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT) McKenzie Certification. Crystal has also recently completed the GROW leadership training which puts emphasis on leaders’ communication skills that will lead to employee empowerment and improved collaboration.
She was an avid tennis player throughout high school and college, but completed obstacle course races and transitioned into a runner during her graduate school years, and still regularly participates in Vacation Races’ National Park Half Marathon Series, having most recently completed the 2023 Rocky Mountain National Park Half Marathon this past July.
Want to know more? Here’s a little Q & A…
Why did you choose to be a PT for your profession?
My grandmother’s advice. She knew I was interested in the sciences, marveled at the intricacies of the human body (and had a great appreciation for muscles working as needed, as I grew up on my family’s dairy farm), and she told me I had the personality to guide and encourage people on their rehab journey.
What’s something that has surprised you about your chosen career path?
Physical therapists have such a diverse clinical skill set, yet our less renown specialties (ie: vertigo, concussion rehab, jaw dysfunction, pelvic health PT, etc) and our accessibility to the public (direct access) are still not well known by the general public. As a profession we need to more intentionally market ourselves and advocate for skilled physical therapy services.
If you weren’t a PT what would you be doing, especially if salaryweren’t a concern?
Achieving my personal goal of visiting all the US National Parks.
What energizes you at work?
A positive, encouraging work environment with a cohesive team, and finally having a breakthrough or “cracking the case” to a patient’s pain and being a part of their journey in their return to the activities they enjoy in life
What is one thing that instantly makes your day better?
I can’t pick just one, so: my pup, blue skies and sunshine (I joke that I’m solar-powered), hiking through mountains, fields full of fireflies…just to name a few
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
“Communication is the key to EVERY relationship!” – My dad. I’m continuing to find this increasingly relevant with each passing year of acquired life wisdom.
What’s one habit you’re trying to form (or un-form)?
I’m trying to read more in general, but specifically getting into the habit of reducing screen time and instead reading before going to bed
Is there any experience you think everyone should be required to have? What is it?
Traveling outside of your home country. Travel teaches us a lot about ourselves, about different cultures and customs, and about the natural world around us. A lot of growth and life lessons occur with travel and allow us to broaden our horizons and shape new perspectives on situations.
What’s your favorite famous or inspirational quote?
“The Woman in the Arena” (a rendition of Theodore Roosevelt’s ‘The Man in the Arena’):
“It is not the critic who counts; not the woman who points out how the strong woman stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends herself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if she fails, at lease fails while daring greatly, so that her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Do you have any pets?
YES! One amazing dog named Dr. Watson (I’m a Sherlock Holmes fan – could you tell?)
Are you reading or binge watching anything right now?
TV-wise, I just finished watching Ted Lasso – such a good show!
In the world of literature, I’ve read the full Sherlock Holmes collection and have more recently been engaging in books targeting personal and leadership development, as there is always room for learning and improvement
What’s your favorite tradition (holiday or otherwise?)
It’s a fairly new family tradition, but we call it “Christmas of Activities” – seeing as my immediate family now consists of all grown adults, instead of exchanging gifts on Christmas day, we’ll still gather for a meal and fellowship but then we all also have to plan an activity for the whole family to participate in over the course of the following year (ie: attend a show at the Fulton, do a corn maze, go to a baseball game, attend a cooking class, etc). It’s a good excuse to see each other multiple times per year as well as challenge ourselves to try new things.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I was the 2009-2010 Lebanon County and 2009-2010 PA State Alternate Dairy Princess
What’s something you’ve done, but you’ll never do again?
Earned my Norwegian rite of passage by climbing out onto Kjeragbolten.
What do you do for fun?
Hike, spend time with family, have friend game nights, fall campfires, travel, & play tennis
