August 2020 - PTA Focus

Wendy was born and raised in Ephrata, PA growing up in the heart of Lancaster County. She always knew she wanted to have a career in a health related field. A graduate of Ephrata High School and Towson University, Wendy was also a 4 year letter winner on the Women’s Swim Team at both institutions. While interning in Boynton Beach, Florida for the United States Water Fitness Association, she discovered her fascination with both aquatic fitness and aquatic therapy. This ultimately shifted her studies to Physical Therapy. Wendy completed her PTA studies at Central Penn College in May 2001.

Wendy has been an employee of HARTZ Physical Therapy since October 2001. HARTZ Physical Therapy is a privately owned, outpatient physical therapy company with five clinics in Lancaster County. The organization currently has three facilities that are equipped to treat aquatic therapy needs. In the past few years, she has been a driving force within the company for the increased use of aquatic therapy. Wendy firmly believes that within the outpatient physical therapy setting, Aquatic Therapy is the most underutilized and underappreciated form of physical therapy. It has become her mission to educate all her fellow coworkers and colleagues on the overwhelming advantages of choosing aquatic therapy during all types of physical therapy treatments.

Wendy is also working to obtain her Aquatic Therapy Clinical Competency for the PTA from the APTA. She has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), and of the Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association (PPTA) since 2001. In addition, she was awarded the Advanced Proficiency for Physical Therapist Assistants from the APTA. Wendy is the long-time Race Director of the annual fundraiser, HARTZ PT Fall Blast 5K. In its 16 years, this event has raised over $200,000 for Lancaster County based charities. Wendy’s love of the water has been with her from an early age. For the past two years, she has held the position of head coach for the Cocalico High School Swim Team. When she is not in the clinic or at the pool, she spends her time training for various open water swims all over the country.

Over the years, maintaining memberships with both the PPTA and APTA, allowed Wendy to network with colleagues from all over the country. It has also given her endless resources for continued education allowing growth in the way she practices as a physical therapy assistant.