Sarah Wenger, PT, DPT, OCS, FNAP has been a professor at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions since 2007. Wenger has published and presented on a range of topics related to her clinical and academic areas of expertise in chronic pain, underserved populations, clinical reasoning and interprofessional care and education. She provides pro bono physical therapy services at Stephen and Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Health Services, an interprofessional community-based federally qualified health center. Wenger enjoys working with people who have chronic medical, social, behavioral and environmental complexities and teaching students how to care for patients with complex needs. Her treatment focuses on patient education and building self-efficacy to empower patients to manage their chronic conditions as independently as possible. As part of an interprofessional team, Wenger developed a chronic pain clinical reasoning model and psycho-education program. She mentors DPT and orthopedic residency students in the clinic and teaches complexity content in pathophysiology and case-based courses. Wenger also mentors students on an annual service trip to Guatemala, serves on the PT department’s Curriculum, Student Affairs, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees, is a member of the College’s Curriculum Visioning Task Force, and served on the University’s Antiracism Task Force Subcommittee on Learning, Leadership and Education. At 11th Street, she serves on the Antiracism Counsel and on the Community Relief Committee.
Academic Distinctions
CNHP Teaching Excellence (on-site) Award, 2020
Faculty Fellowships
Distinguished Fellow. Physical Therapy Academy of the National Academies of Practice (NAP): 2019 – present
Professional Society
• Member US Association for the Study of Pain 2020 – present
• Member International Association for the Study of Pain 2018 – present
• Member Orthopedic Section APTA 2005 – present • Pain Management SIG
• Member Education Section APTA 2010 – present
• Member American Physical Therapy Association 1996 – present
Offices
• APTA #ChoosePT Spokesperson 2018 - present
• Core Member APTA Pain Workgroup 2018 - present
• Pennsylvania Delegate to the 2006 and 2009 APTA House of Delegates
• Chair Pennsylvania PT Political Action Committee 2001 – 2012
Selected Publications
Nilsen, M., Drusedum, D., Wenger, S., & Sharpe, J. (2020). Addressing chronic pain vulnerability with interprofessional care and retrospective reflections from art and physical therapists on interprofessional education: A dual case study. Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice, 100331.
Wenger, S., Drott, J, Fillipo,R., Findlay, A., Genung, A., Heiden, J., Bradt, J. (2018). Reducing Opioid Use for Patients with Chronic Pain: An Evidence-Based Perspective. Physical Therapy, Volume 98, Issue 5, 424–433, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzy025
Wenger, S., Banz, D., Terry, G. (2016). A Model for Clinical Reasoning in Persistent Pain. Orthopaedic Practice, 28(2), 137-140.
Berenson, L. D., Wenger, S., Goodill, S. (2012). Standardized Patient Feedback: Making It Work Across Disciplines. Journal of Allied Health, Vol 41, No 1, e27-e31.
Wenger, S., Lockard, M., Benedetto, M. (2012). Human Simulation for Rehabilitation Science. In L. Wilson & L. Rockstraw (Eds.), Human Simulation for Nursing and Health Sciences. ( New York: Springer Publishing Co.
Grant participation:
College of Nursing and Health Professions Dean’s Rapid Relevant Response (R3) Grant. Interprofessional Chronic Pain Care: A Train the Trainer Program (3T). Total Funding: $10,000. 2/1/2020 – 3/1/2021. Role: Primary Investigator.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain. Award Number: 1R34AT009555-01A1. Total Funding: $717,750.00. 9/25/18 – 7/31/21. Role: Study Clinician.
Research Interests
Chronic pain, interprofessional care, underserved populations, clinical reasoning