With a strong commitment to teamwork and a focus on patient care, Kayla Rettger (Barony), MA-C, Mount Nittany Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, consistently goes above and beyond to support her colleagues and ensure the best possible experience for patients. Her dependability, initiative, and professionalism strengthen her department and directly impact the care Mount Nittany Health delivers each day — even in challenging circumstances.
For these reasons and more, Kayla was recently named the Dec. 2025 Mount Nittany Health Employee of the Month.
While Kayla exemplifies all of Mount Nittany Health’s core values, she is being honored for the value of teamwork. Her nomination reflects the meaningful impact of her collaborative spirit and dedication. It stated:
“Kayla has exemplified every quality we seek in our employees at Mount Nittany Health. Over the past month, she has been asked to assist in multiple roles in our office as we navigate many staffing changes. This has disrupted her ability to maintain a normal office flow for herself, but by sacrificing her time, she has ensured the success of our ability to provide excellent patient care.
While assisting in different sections of the office, Kayla does not merely go through the motions. She has identified discrepancies that would have caused patients’ surgeries to be delayed due to administrative errors. Kayla took it upon herself to correct these discrepancies, even though it was not her job to do so. This is just one example of her commitment to teamwork and integrity, ensuring the success of Mount Nittany Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.”
Kayla has been a valued member of Mount Nittany Health for nine months, serving as an MA-C. In that short time, she has already made a remarkable impact, supporting patients across the health system.
A graduate of Tyrone Area High School and the Great Lakes Institute of Technology’s accelerated Medical Assistant Program, Kayla brings more than 11 years of orthopedic experience and two years of podiatry experience to her role. Her deep clinical background and adaptability allow her to seamlessly support multiple areas of the practice while maintaining a strong focus on patient care.
Reflecting on her role, Kayla shared, “Most days my job does not feel like a ‘job.’ There are bad days, of course, but you take that with grace. Orthopedics holds a special place in my heart. The true reward is watching and helping patients get their life back after joint replacement or any orthopedic or podiatric surgery.”
She added, “I find it ironic that podiatry found its way back to me after all this time. Working with Dr. Yarger when he is here in the office is such a privilege. He shows such true compassion and empathy toward our patients — we are lucky to have him.”
When asked how it feels to be named Employee of the Month, Kayla said, “I feel honored. It’s a pretty cool feeling. It’s definitely a reward for all the work you do. And to sit here and think somebody thought it was worthwhile — it’s just humbling.”
Kayla describes her department as a “second family” and a “home away from home.” She shared, “Picture Thanksgiving Day — that’s what it feels like. I’ve only been here for nine months, and everyone welcomed me with open arms. Everyone in our department brings so much to the table day in and day out. I’m thankful to be a part of it. I never go a day without laughing and smiling. That’s a true win in my book.”
She was also quick to note, “This isn’t just an award for myself — this one is for the whole office.”
Outside of work, Kayla enjoys walking her rescue dogs, Buster (a Beagle mix) and Oscar (a Pug mix), along an old coal mine trail, kayaking, swimming, and spending time with her family — especially her six-month-old nephew, Colston. She is also an avid concertgoer and makes it a point to see her favorite band, Shinedown, live whenever she can.
Kayla credits her parents, James and Janine Barony, for instilling her strong work ethic and continually supporting her. She also recognizes her twin sister, Kylie, who has been her “cheerleader since day one.” Kayla carries with her the memory of her late grandfather, Ronald Bracken, who passed away in October. “He was a big part of my life in anything I did,” she shared. “He inspires me every day, even though he is not physically here — my true guiding light.”