Dr. Karen A. Wientjes, a professor of physical therapy, has been elected president of the American Board of Wound Management (ABWM).  

The ABWM is a not-for-profit organization established for the purpose of credentialing multidisciplinary professionals in the field of wound management. It establishes and administers a certification process to elevate the standard of care in wound management and is dedicated to an interdisciplinary approach in promoting prevention, care, and treatment of acute and chronic wounds. 

Wientjes has taught at Neumann for 21 years. She has been a Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) through the ABWM since 1999 and has served on its board of directors since 2014. She stays involved in clinical practice as a wound specialist at Optimum Physical Therapy Associates in West Chester and as a consultant to area hospitals. 

She has provided physical therapy services through several mission trips to Peru and Haiti and has presented nationally and internationally on topics related to wound healing and physical therapy. Her areas of research include wound measurement, biophysical agents, and integrative approaches to healing. She emphasizes a mind-body approach to healing and helps her patients optimize their outcomes through a holistic plan of care. 

“I have always been passionate about treating patients with wounds,” says Wientjes.  “It is a privilege for me to partner with patients in their healing process, and I am proud to be a part of an accredited organization that recognizes the multidisciplinary nature of providing wound care.” 

The CWS® credential helps providers, hospitals, and patients identify and access healthcare professionals with expertise in the field. “I look forward to upholding the high standards of our exam development and certification process,” she explains, “advancing the visibility and recognition of these credentials, and ensuring the best quality care for individuals with wounds.” 

Wientjes graduated with a physical therapy degree from the University of Scranton in 1994, a master’s degree in integrative health from West Chester University in 2003, and a physical therapy doctorate from Neumann University in 2007. 

She began her two-year term as ABWM president on November 12, 2020.