Nichole Stauffer, PTA

Want to know more?  Here’s a little Q & A…

Why did you choose to be a PTA for your profession?
In my junior year of high school, my mom was diagnosed with frozen shoulder and was in physical therapy. She was the one who encouraged me to look into the profession. I knew I didn’t want a desk job and I really enjoyed helping and encouraging people, so the Physical Therapy field felt like the right fit. Fast forward through PTA school and four and a half years of outpatient clinic experience, I love what I do and couldn’t see myself doing anything else!

What’s something that has surprised you about your chosen career path?
What I didn’t expect when I first started as a PTA was the type of relationships that you build with your patients from the start of their therapy to their “graduation day.” Let’s be honest, most people aren’t excited to start physical therapy and/or just went through a recent surgery and aren’t feeling their best on Day 1. However, the patient/therapist relationship grows significantly during therapy sessions, conversations, encouragement, seeing results and returning to normal life, and by the end, it is bittersweet to see my patients graduate PT.

What energizes you most at work?
When patients begin to see progress/results from their hard work. That and country music 🙂

What are you passionate about?
A very new passion of mine is gardening! This is the first year I’ve ever planted a garden and I am already reaping the benefits. Being able to pick fresh vegetables or herbs from my backyard makes me more excited to cook and try new recipes!

Where would you be right now if you had zero obligations and money didn’t matter?

I would be sipping coffee on a cabin porch that overlooks the Rocky Mountains.

What’s one habit you are trying to form?

I’ve never been a morning person, however I want to get in the routine of getting up early enough to do morning devotions followed by a work-out or walk my dog without having to rush to work.

What’s one thing that instantly makes your day better?
My dog greeting me when I get home!

What is your favorite place locally?
I love a good, homemade ice cream spot. Two of my favorites are Lapp Valley Farm and Fox Meadow’s Creamery.

What is your favorite tradition?

Every year at Thanksgiving, our whole extended family gets together and we spend the day eating, playing games and watching football. My favorite dish is “Roasht” – a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition!
What do you do for fun?

I enjoy traveling, adventures and trying new things! Last year, I checked sky diving and a hot air balloon ride off of the bucket list. Both of which I would do again!

Do you have any pets?

I have a standard golden doodle named Oakley. She loves playing fetch and her only toys are tennis balls because it’s the only toy she can’t chew up!