Whole Health Physical Therapist

Jennifer Gansen, PT, DPT is a Whole Health Physical Therapist for the Madison VA and a doctoral student in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Kinesiology (Exercise Psychology) program. Dr. Gansen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Northern Iowa in 1990, a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa in 1992, and a transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Concordia (Mequon) University in 2008.

Dr. Gansen’s involvement in the VA's vision to transform from a problem-based disease care system to a person-centered whole health care system began with the Atlanta VAHCS. As Supervisory Physical Therapist for the Empower Veterans Program (EVP), a QI initiative providing integrated self-care training for individuals with chronic pain, Dr. Gansen applied experience in neurologic rehabilitation research, chronic pain, somatic education approaches, and as a VA outpatient clinician to develop EVP-Mindful Movement. Both roles included program development, management, implementation, and evaluation of person-centered care. Dr. Gansen has presented to diverse national audiences including PT, Whole Health/CIH, Primary Care, and front-line pain practitioners.