What happens when a physical therapist assistant with decades of clinical experience gets sidelined by long COVID — and decides it’s time to rewrite her career?

In this inspiring episode, Gina Vitale shares how she transitioned from being a dedicated clinician, Pilates instructor, and home health provider into a thriving healthcare content writer — without going back to school, without a writing degree, and without losing the essence of what made her a great PTA.

Gina opens up about:

• Recovering from the brain fog and emotional toll of long COVID
• How home health care uniquely shaped her communication and observation skills
• The transferable skills from patient education that helped her succeed in writing
• Getting her first (underpaid) writing gig — and why it was still a win
• How LinkedIn became her most valuable professional tool
• Her advice to healthcare professionals who are burnt out, overwhelmed, or stuck

If you're a healthcare provider thinking about your next step — or curious how others are reinventing themselves without leaving their identity behind — this is a must-listen.

Katie sits down with new grad PTA and leader Russ Burns for a vibrant discussion about advocacy, innovation, AI, and what it means to be a modern PTA in 2025. As they prepare to attend the Future of Rehab Therapy Summit at APTA HQ, they reflect on career transformation, the importance of in-person connection, and why PTAs need to see themselves as both contributors and leaders.

Guest: Russ Burns, PTA, military police platoon sergeant, Ohio Physical Therapy Association early professional leader | Instagram

Topics Covered:

• First year as a PTA: what Russ has learned
• AI in clinical workflows and education
• Multidisciplinary advocacy at the APTA Summit
• Non-linear career paths for PTAs
• Leadership and professional growth for early professionals
• Speed round: bold takes and buzzwords

Links & Resources:

• Future of Rehab Therapy Summit (APTA)
• Ohio Physical Therapy Association (OPTA)
• Katie Sutton on LinkedIn
• PTA Plus Podcast YouTube

In this insightful episode, host Katie Sutton sits down with Drew Contreras of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to unpack the five biggest reasons PTAs (and other rehab professionals) must pay attention to the Future of Rehab Therapy Summit, happening July 9–10 in Washington, DC.

This is not just another conference—it’s a pivot point for the entire rehab profession.

If you're a PTA, PT, OT, SLP, or healthcare innovator, this summit is where you'll find the conversations that are shaping the future of rehab. From tech innovation to interprofessional collaboration, it’s all covered here.

Original Airdate:Aug. 3, 2023

Welcome to the PTA+ Podcast! In this episode, host Katie Sutton has a captivating conversation with Amy Smith Hamel, PTA, a remarkable leader in the physical therapy field. Amy, the Regional Director of Operations at Restore Therapy in Alabama, shares her journey into leadership, the power of seizing opportunities, and the profound impact of mentorship and service. Join us as we explore Amy's advice on developing yourself in the field of physical therapy and beyond, including leading through adversity and weathering storms in leadership. Amy is not only a leader but also an avid mountain biker, wife, mom, and more!

Episode Highlights:

• Introductions and backgrounds with Amy Smith Hamel
• Discovering Amy's PTA+ _____
• Developing your leadership style
• "Plus Point" segment featuring Amy

This week’s conversation pulls no punches: it’s time to stop waiting for someone to save your PT career. If you’re not embracing change, building tech literacy, and developing self-awareness, you’re falling behind.

We cover:

• The top skills for healthcare professionals by 2030
• Why “manual dexterity” is losing importance
• How to build career resilience starting NOW
• Using AI like ChatGPT as a clinical ally
• One unforgettable quote: "You're the boat. Start swimming."

This week’s conversation pulls no punches: it’s time to stop waiting for someone to save your PT career. If you’re not embracing change, building tech literacy, and developing self-awareness, you’re falling behind.

We cover:

• The top skills for healthcare professionals by 2030
• Why “manual dexterity” is losing importance
• How to build career resilience starting NOW
• Using AI like ChatGPT as a clinical ally
• One unforgettable quote: "You're the boat. Start swimming."

Many physical therapists and PTAs hit a career crossroads—burnout, stagnation, or the itch to try something new. In this episode, Jimmy and Katie Dwyer walk through a 4-question framework inspired by James Clear to help you rethink your next move.

If you’ve ever asked yourself: "What else can I do with my skills?" or "Am I stuck in this role forever?" — this episode is for you.

In today's episode, Katie interviews returning guest, Dr. Drew Wilcox, who is a PTA and PTA educator at Utah Tech. Drew talks about the reason he pursued a Ph.D. and then breaks down the groundbreaking research he performed for his dissertation on perceived stress in PTA students. His research dives into what the causes of stress are, the comparisons to DPT students, and what educators can do about it.

Thank you for tuning in to another insightful episode of the PTA+ Podcast. Be sure to subscribe for more conversations with trailblazing physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Share your thoughts on today's episode, and remember, the journey to redefine your career starts with the first step. Join us next time as we continue to explore the diverse aspects of being a PTA+!

Contact Information:

You can reach Drew Wilcox at: drew.wilcox@utahtech.edu

If you have questions, comments, or would like to be a part of this show, you can reach me, Katie Sutton, at klsutton0725@gmail.com

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