I had the pleasure of interviewing Gina Vitale, a licensed physical therapist assistant who has successfully transitioned into the world of ghostwriting and health content writing. With more than 30 years of clinical experience, Gina brings a wealth of knowledge, empathy, and practical insight into her work with clients. Her journey, from patient care in Ohio and Seattle, through the challenges of the pandemic, to her new life in Europe as a full-time writer, is both inspiring and instructive.
In our conversation, Gina shares how her background shaped her writing, the kinds of projects she enjoys most, and how she approaches collaboration with clients. She also talks about her shift from healthcare to writing, the value she places on education and clear communication, and the additional services she offers beyond ghostwriting.
Can you introduce yourself?
I am a licensed physical therapist assistant with 30+ years of experience. I attained my associate’s degree in applied science for physical therapist assistant from Cuyahoga Community College in 1994. I worked most of my career in Ohio, but moved to Seattle, WA for the last 8 years that I treated patients. Now, I am in Europe (Italy last year, France currently) and visit family and friends in the US a couple of times per year.
What inspired you to become a ghostwriter?
I was planning to leave patient care, for several reasons, but had not found that path before the pandemic. In March 2020, I became ill with COVID-19, as expected being a front-line worker. I did not expect to be ill for 3 months. When I returned to the clinic, everything was different, including me. I realized I needed to fast track out of in-person care.
I began learning about non-clinical options and eventually settled on health content writing because I had an aptitude for writing. I learned as much as I could, wherever I could, while working full-time as a PTA still. My first client was a ghostwriting project for a non-profit. I left clinical care in September 2023 to pursue content writing full-time.
Currently, I am working with a health product company reviewing, analyzing, and reworking their blogs. I’m also writing in various forms for a children’s research hospital. I love being able to use my knowledge and experience for other paths.
What kinds of projects do you enjoy most?
I love writing informational and educational pieces. So much of my time as a clinician was spent educating people about their physical health and general wellness. I felt it was important work, and content writing provides a similar feel. I worked on a ghostwriting project for an e-book in early 2024. That was both exhilarating and stressful. Overall, I’d say I prefer working with healthcare businesses and organizations.
How do you structure your fees, and what factors influence the cost of a project?
I prefer to charge based on the entire project scope: the length, type of content, time required to prep and complete it, and a few other items that can get lost in per word or hourly rate. I use a professional writing organization’s published suggested rates as my base to determine how to price a project.
Besides ghostwriting, do you provide additional services to your clients?
I actually do have bylines for various wellness and health publications, as well as my own website and Medium account. I also write informational web pages. I do still contribute to health and wellness in the form of virtual training when a client appears, but that is more of a side gig.
How can our readers connect with you?
Visit me at: https://www.ginavitalewrites.com/
