Greg Zarvell, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
Because my mom was a nurse I was exposed to the benefits of a job caring for people, I knew I wanted to work in healthcare from an early age. After graduating from Kewanee High School, I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fitness Leadership from Northern Illinois University. I got my first job in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Kewanee Hospital in July of 2000 and worked for 3 years until the department was shut down. After delivering home medical equipment for 2 years, I got another job in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Graham Hospital in Canton in September of 2005. I was once again able to pursue my passion for helping people recover from heart or lung disease so they would be able to return to work or the activities of their daily lives. I continued to live in Kewanee and made the 52 mile commute to Canton to work. Unfortunately, when the Pandemic hit in the spring of 2020, my position at Graham Hospital was eliminated.
Knowing jobs in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation are hard to come by and very competitive, I made the decision to go back to school. I registered for classes at Black Hawk College and was accepted into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program in 2021. I chose to get a PTA license because being a Physical Therapist Assistant would allow me to follow my passion for helping people in their recoveries, but would also increase my chances of coming back home to work and serve the people of my community. I completed the classes and received my Assosciate’s Degree in Applied Science in August of 2023 and passed my PTA boards exam in October 2023. I started working at a clinic in Galesburg in September 2023. When a position opened up at Kewanee Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists, I jumped at the opportunity to come back home to work with an amazing group of therapists.
When I am not at work, I love to go fishing, play golf poorly, and read. I also love to spend time with my family and my golden retriever Jazz and beagle Dexter.
