At Confluent Health, we’re always proud to celebrate the voices and journeys of our clinicians. This week, we’re giving a well-earned spotlight to a member of the Confluent Health Family: John Cooper, Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) at HPRC Physical Therapy, who was recently featured on the PTA+ Podcast.
The episode, titled “It’s Never Too Late: One PTA’s Path to Purpose & Passion,” is a must-listen for anyone in the rehab world looking for inspiration, encouragement, and practical insight—especially fellow PTAs navigating career crossroads or seeking new energy in their work.
In the episode, John gets real about his career path, sharing his journey from past regrets to new beginnings. A seasoned clinician and newly certified ASTYM practitioner, John opens up about how he rediscovered his why through limb-loss rehabilitation, becoming a powerful advocate for underserved patients and underrepresented specialties.
The episode dives into topics like:
- Navigating CEU regrets and how to realign your learning.
- How to overcome imposter syndrome and lean into confidence as a provider.
- Why PTAs should say “yes” to more.
- The benefits of specialty training like EIM’s orthopedic program.
- The expanding role of PTAs in prosthetics and phantom limb care.
- How certifications like ASTYM can reignite clinical passion and purpose.
Whether you’re a new grad finding your footing or a 10+ year PTA thinking about what’s next, this episode is packed with relatable moments and tactical takeaways. John’s story is proof that it’s never too late to change direction, invest in yourself, and fall back in love with the work that changes lives.