We are thrilled to add the compassionate care and expertise of Ms. Hess to our team.

As Grace describes it, her professional experience has encompassed “many medical lives.” Most recently, she spent 11 years working in the Emergency Department at Lancaster General Hospital. Over the course of her career, she has also worked in family medicine, occupational medicine, orthopedics (serving as a surgical first assist on spine cases), plastic surgery, and urgent care. Grace has loved every stage of her 26 years in medicine and is appreciative of what each role has taught her. In this next chapter, Grace is excited to create meaningful, lasting connections with her patients at Novara Health.

“The Essence of Medicine Is Caring for People”

From an early age, Grace knew she wanted to work in healthcare, but her path to becoming a Physician Assistant wasn’t exactly linear. She graduated with a BA in Sport and Exercise Science from Messiah University and spent two years working in physical therapy. Without thinking anything of it, she attended an open house for PA school with her sister—and immediately, she felt drawn to make a shift in her career.

Newly married and living in Lancaster, Grace attended the PA program at Hahnemann, now part of Drexel University School of Health Professions. For five years, Grace and her husband lived separately during the week, only reuniting on weekends—two years while Grace was in PA school and another three while her husband attended seminary. Grace jokes that it was only after finishing their respective schooling that they truly had the opportunity to live life as newlyweds.

Years later, Grace and her family settled into life on a 97-acre farm, raising their children while she continued to grow professionally. In the Emergency Department, where she spent nearly half of her medical career, Grace had the opportunity to care for patients of all sociodemographic backgrounds, treating everything from minor acute health problems to severe life threatening illnesses and traumatic injuries. While she loved the camaraderie of working with a close-knit team and making decisions under pressure, she found herself wanting to give her patients something more.

“I Found Medicine Stripped Down to Its Simplest Form”

Grace can recall many memorable moments in her career, but a turning point came recently in 2025 during a medical mission trip in a remote area of Peru. With few distractions, she found medicine stripped down to its simplest form. “The best part about that trip,” Grace recalls, “was that it gave me permission to spend time. To really connect with my patients on a personal level.”

At Novara Health, Grace is excited to work with that same intention. She is dedicated to providing holistic care that honors the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of every patient she sees. Welcome to Novara Health, Grace!