Grace Wells, OTR/L
EDUCATION: Occupational Therapy Degree from Elizabethtown College
CERTIFICATIONS: Neuro-Integrative Functional Rehabilitation & Habilitation (Neuro-IFRAH) trained and Vision Rehabilitation Graduate Certificate
CONTACT:
gwells@hartzpt.com
717.735.8880
What Makes Grace Special
Most Grace’s clinical experience has been working within an inpatient rehabilitation hospital and then outpatient therapy clinic with a focus on neurologic impairment. Her most recent experience has been working within an administrative role in a rehabilitation hospital with a focus on functional outcomes and documentation review. She is happy to be returning to a clinical position and using her skills to help people reach their functional goals.
In her free time, she loves spending quality time with her family, staying active and finding new adventures both near and far. She also spends time volunteering and enjoys making a positive impact on those around her. She has been the Race Director for the Elizabethtown Turkey Trot for the past several years.
Want to know more? Here’s a little Q & A…
Why did you choose to be an OT for your profession?
I knew I wanted to go into a healthcare profession, however before I made my decision, my older sister chose to go to school for physical therapy. I didn’t want to follow in her footsteps, so I looked at other healthcare professions and found Occupational Therapy. It worked out because OT is a great fit for me!
If you weren’t an OT what you be doing, especially if salary wasn’t a concern?
When my kids went to daycare many years ago, there was a classroom helper, Miss Donna, who was there every morning greeting the kids with smiles and hugs. Then at the end of the day, I would hear about all the fun things they did with Miss Donna. She had the best job! If I wasn’t an OT, that’s what I would be, I would be a Miss Donna…spending the day playing with kids!
What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position?
When I tell folks the name of my profession they say, “So you help people find a job?”
What energizes you at work?
My patients give me my energy when I see them working towards the goals they set for themselves. I love being a part of that.
Most important advice you give your patients?
This is a journey. Move forward one day at a time. Set small goals while keeping your eye on your big goal. Celebrate the small wins.
What is one thing that instantly makes your day better?
Surprise visits from my kids. Everytime!!
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
A patient of mine once told me as I was commenting on his good outlook, “You have got to look for the good in things, if you don’t it’s disastrous.”
Where would you be right now if you had zero obligations and money didn’t matter?
I would be traveling near and far, searching for the natural wonders of the world, meeting new people, and taking in all the new experiences!
Is there any experience you think everyone should be required to have? What is it?
I think everyone should be required to take an anatomy and physiology class in school. There is nothing like learning what you are made of and how you work.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about doing things that help those around me. I volunteer my time in many capacities and doing so makes my heart happy!
What’s your favorite famous or inspirational quote?
There are so many, I couldn’t pick just one. My phone is full of screen shots of inspirational quotes from social media. I write many of my favorites in a notebook I have. The cover of the book says, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” N.D. Walsch. That is a good one!
Do you have any pets?
We have a 5-year-old mini goldendoodle named Jasper! He is a fun ball of fluff that we can’t get enough of. When going on walks he gets offended when someone walks by without petting him. He has voice buttons that he uses daily to tell us he wants to do a puzzle (doggie puzzle for food), play (his favorite game is keep away) or wear a shirt (he does love his shirts).
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
My husband and I used to do a lot of road cycling and when professional races came through the area, we would follow the races. I’ve watched a few cyclists ride by while standing on Chickies Rock Hill.
How do you like to start or end your day?
I start most of my days exercising in my basement, following a circuit or cardio session from my Facebook wellness group. Exercising in the morning, before I am fully awake is the best. I don’t initially realize what I am doing and by the time I “wake up”, I’m done!
What’s on your bucket list?
On the top of my bucket list right now is to travel to Italy and visit the small town in Southern Italy that my family is from.
What do you do for fun?
For the past two summers we have been raising Monarch butterflies! We collect the caterpillars from the milkweed in our garden and put them in the netting we keep at the kitchen window. It is so fun watching the caterpillars eat their way through leaf after leaf and then form into their cocoon. And when they are ready, it’s amazing to watch them open into a butterfly!
What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home?
I have the travel bug and enjoy traveling. The furthest I have traveled was to Paris, France when I was in high school. A close second, and more recent, was a trip to Scotland to visit our son who was studying abroad. This past year we had a great trip to Ireland for our son’s wedding. A great excuse for a trip!!
