PHYSICAL THERAPY FACULTY AND STAFF

Karen Wientjes, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH

Professor

B.S.P.T.,University of Scranton
M.P.H., West Chester University
D.P.T., Neumann University

Ph.D. SaybrookUniversity

Certified Wound Specialist (CWS®)

Email: wientjek@neumann.edu
Phone: 610-361-2466

Dr. Karen Wientjes is a PA-licensed Physical Therapist and a Certified Wound Specialist® through the American Board of Wound Management. She has been teaching at Neumann for over 25 years. She is an active member of the Neumann community having served in various capacities, including Faculty Senate President, curriculum committee, academic policy committee, human resource committee, institutional review board, and the Middle States review committee. In addition to teaching at Neumann University, Dr. Wientjes is a per diem therapist in the skilled nursing, sub-acute, and outpatient settings. She also provides volunteer physical therapy and mentorship to DPT students at the pro bono PT clinic at Our Lady of Angels convent on Neumann’s campus. She has been actively involved with the APTA on various levels, having served as a Program Chair and a consultant for the development of curriculum guidelines and wound care coding initiatives. A past President for the American Board of Wound Management, she is currently the Exam Chair, overseeing the development and administration of interprofessional woundcertification exams. Dr. Wientjes enjoys providing service through mission work in Peru and Haiti. She has presented nationally and internationally, as well as published articles on wound care, pain management, and integrative strategies for wound healing. Her current areas of research include wound bed preparation, wound measurement, and a mind-body-spirit approach to overall well-being.

Instructor for the following courses:

PT 516: Fundamental Physical Therapy Skills

PT 519: Physical Agents

PT 619: Clinical Reasoning I

PT 714: Wound Management

PT 719: Clinical Reasoning II

PT 720: Administration and Management

PT 742: Mentored Experience I

PT 743: Mentored Research Experience II

PT 744: Mentored Research Experience III

Recent presentations and publications:

Wientjes K, Seaner, N. Effects of a Mindfulness Training Program with Doctor of Physical Therapy Students. Poster presented at: APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Houston, TX. February 14, 2025

Selby-Silverstein,L., Mahoney, E., Shaughnessy T.J., Wientjes, K. (2024). Diabetic Foot Ulcer-Beyond Wound Closure: Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG+). https://www.apta.org/patient-care/evidence-based-practice-resources/cpgs/diabetic-foot-ulcer-beyond-wound-closure-clinical-practice-guideline

Wientjes K. Healthcare and Healing Traditions of Amazonia. Educational session at: Neumann University, Franciscan Institute Program, Aston, PA. October 3, 2024

Wientjes K. Soft Tissue Infections Associated with People Who Inject with Drugs. Virtual educational session for: Southeast District of the American Physical Therapy Association, Pennsylvania. September11, 2024

Wientjes K, Anderson H. IncorporatingSelf-care and Mindfulness Strategies to Reduce Anxiety in DPT Students. Educational session at: Neumann University Faculty Symposium, Aston, PA. May 14, 2024

Wientjes K. Managing Pediatric Wounds. Educational session at: National Institute of Rehabilitation, Lima, Peru. March 6, 2024

Wientjes K., Arizini C., DiSanto D. The Lived Experiences of People with Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds. Research platform presented at: APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Boston, MA. February 17, 2024

Wientjes K, Shaughnessy T. On the Rise: Soft Tissue Infections Associated with People Who Inject Drugs. Educational session at: APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Boston, MA. February 15, 2024

Wientjes K. The Relationship Between Psychosocial and Emotional Factors and Wound Healing Characteristics in Patients with Leg Ulcers. Poster presented at: Symposium for Advanced Wound Care in Washington DC. April 28,2023

Wientjes K. Incorporating Mindfulness-Based Techniques to Enhance Wound Healing. Educational session at: APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Diego, CA. February 23, 2023

Wientjes K, Puliti L, Hoertz E. The Relationship Between Psychosocial and Emotional Factors and Wound Healing Characteristics in Patients with Leg Ulcers. Poster presented at: APTA Combined Sections Meeting in San Diego, CA. February 23, 2023

Wientjes, K., McKee, J. Advanced Modalities for Chronic Wounds. Webinar: Virtual Wound Rounds. https://www.virtualwoundrounds.com. April 22, 2021

Wientjes K. Hypnotic Suggestions for Wound Healing. E-Poster presented at: American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) 2021 Annual Meeting. March 4-7, 2021

Dr. Casey Herrmann is a PA-licensed Physical Therapist and has been a faculty member at Neumann University since 2024. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences from Texas A&M University, Master’s Degree in Exercise & Health Sciences from University of Houston- Clear Lake, and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of the Sciences. She then continued her studies with a clinical residency in Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy at UT Southwestern. Dr. Herrmann has been recognized as a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy as well as a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. In addition to teaching at Neumann University, Dr. Herrmann works at GSPP Rehabilitation, Pennsylvania Hospital as an acute care physical therapist. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Acute Care Special Interest Group of the APTA-PA, literature appraiser for the heart failure clinical practice guideline, peer reviewer for the entry-level physical therapy competencies for oncologic PT, and is a member of the Specialization Academy of Content Experts for the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary section of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists. Her research interests include early mobility in the intensive care unit, cardiac rehabilitation, and lymphatic interventions in the neonatal population.

Instructor for the following courses:

PT 626: Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy

PT 508: Exercise Physiology

PT 742: Mentored Research Experience I

PT 743: Mentored Research Experience II

PT 744: Mentored Research Experience III

PT 619: Clinical Reasoning I

PT 719: Clinical Reasoning II

Publications:

Bayliss J, Herrmann C et al. Impact of pre-admission observation hours on key physical therapist clinical education stakeholders: quantitative analysis. Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 2022; 36(4): 341-347.

Bayliss J, Herrmann C et al. Impact of pre-admission observation hours on key physical therapist clinical education stakeholders: qualitative analysis. Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 2022; 36(2): 107-114.

Recent presentations:

Herrmann, C., Rogers, J., Ruiz, A. Safety of lymphatic management in the neonatal intensive care unit: A case report. Presented at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, Houston, TX. February 2025.

Herrmann C, Fluehr L, Dietrick C. To Move or Not to Move: Case Reflections of Patients with Advanced Mechanical Circulatory Devices. Acute Care SIG for APTA-PA. May 2024.

Awards:

Exceptional Student Professional Service Award, Alpha Eta Honor Society, October 2021

· Awarded to an honor society member who demonstrates exceptional service

within and beyond their program of study and confines of their institution in addition to demonstrating membership in professional societies and leadership positions in those societies.

Alumni Association Award for Samson College, University of the Sciences, May 2021

· Awarded to the Samson College of Health Sciences graduate with the highest grade point average.

Packman Family Award in Physical Therapy, University of the Sciences, May 2021

· Awarded to the DPT student with the highest grade point average in the professional curriculum.

John E. Kramer Award, University of the Sciences, May 2021

· Awarded to one non-traditional student in recognition of academic excellence.

PPTA Student Leadership Award, Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association, October 2020

· Awarded to one DPT student in Pennsylvania based on leadership, dedication to the physical therapy profession and community, and APTA involvement.

Emerging Leader Award, University of the Sciences, June 2020

· Among three students selected at the University of the Sciences for demonstration of

leadership qualities.