Hello! My name is Dr. Ava Huegel, and I am a member of the Madden and Gilbert Physical Therapy team in Harrisburg. Here’s a little bit of history for you to get to know me better…I grew up in Strasburg, PA, and attended Lampeter Strasburg School District for the entirety of grade school. After graduation, I took some time and followed my high school sweetheart, Andrew, to North Carolina where he was stationed while serving in the Marine Corps. For approximately a year and a half, I lived and worked as a waitress in the tiny coastal town of Swansboro, NC (a must-visit spot if you appreciate incredible coastal views and food!). By September of 2017, he was finishing up his time in active duty and I was settling on my next endeavor which led us both to Annville, PA as I had been accepted at Lebanon Valley College.

I attended Lebanon Valley College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science degree in 2021 and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2023. As a student, I was inducted into the National Physical Therapy Student Honor Society and was the recipient of the Distinguished Student Award for my graduating class. I’d like to admit that there was some spectacular epiphany moment that led me to decide on physical therapy as a profession…but realistically, it is more so that it checked the majority of boxes that I found important. I have always loved interacting with and teaching those around me as well as living a healthy lifestyle, and I find the balance between work and home to be vital in sustaining happiness. Physical therapy is a profession that makes it possible to achieve each of my core values and make a lasting impact in the community.

As far as my life beyond the clinic, I have a wide array of passions and hobbies that fill my time. Andrew and I were married in July of 2019 and now reside in Palmyra, PA with our two labrador retrievers, Archer and Sawyer, as well as a handful of chickens. We enjoy traveling to new places together (actually, we just finished up a 10-week cross-country road trip!) and spend lots of time completing projects to improve and personalize our fixer-upper home. I enjoy spending time outside consisting of hiking, fishing, paddle boarding or kayaking, and gardening; however, I do appreciate plenty of time tucked inside reading a good book (I am always looking for new book/author recommendations!).

Now you know a little bit about me, and I can’t wait to hear more about you! Let’s work together to focus on your goals, personalize your care, and ultimately achieve lasting results!