Brian Wienk, PT, ScD, MSPT, OCS, COMT is a tenured Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and University and Assistant Director of Clinical Education at Briar Cliff University. He is licensed in South Dakota and Iowa. He has been employed as a core faculty member at Briar Cliff since May 1, 2016.
Dr. Wienk graduated with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of South Dakota in 1994. In 2007, Dr. Wienk earned his ScD (teaching track) from Texas Tech University and Health Science Center. During the process, he completed hundreds of hours of continuing education on diagnosing and managing musculoskeletal disorders, earning the designation of Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist by the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine. In 2005, he received certification in Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (SASTM) and has been teaching colleagues across the region ever since. Throughout the years, Dr. Wienk has consistently been a clinical instructor for professional students in the clinic. In 2009, he received a Clinical Instructor of the Year award from the University of South Dakota. In 2011, he was awarded the South Dakota Physical Therapist of the Year. In 2017, Dr. Wienk became a board-certified Orthopaedic clinical specialist, and he continues to practice as a PRN therapist in outpatient rehabilitation and industrial rehabilitation.
Before joining the core faculty at Briar Cliff University, Dr. Wienk was employed for 17 years at Avera McKennan Hospital, where he was a staff outpatient orthopedic therapist. Before that, he worked for two years for HealthSouth Corporation and three years for Sioux Falls Physical Therapy Center. He saw several types of musculoskeletal diagnoses and collaborated closely with orthopedic neurosurgeons and chronic pain specialists. In addition, Dr. Wienk taught as an adjunct faculty at the University of South Dakota from 2006-2015, assisting in musculoskeletal sections related to the spine, comprehensive lab practicals, admission interviews, and tests and measures.
Scholarly, Dr. Wienk has co-authored one peer-reviewed journal article and has presented twenty-four peer-reviewed abstracts at regional and national professional conferences on a variety of topics, including blood flow restriction, sound-assisted soft tissue mobilization, physical therapy modality utilization, service-learning, teaching pedagogy, interprofessional collaboration, telehealth, student confidence, and a variety of pro monoclinic topics.
Dr. Wienk has been an active member of the APTA since 1992. He has served in leadership roles for APTA South Dakota, including the Delegate and Chief Delegate. He also served on the APTA-SD continuing education committee, PT board task force, public relations, ethics, and PT PAC committees. Dr. Wienk is also involved in service to the Department (Awards and Leadership Chair, Assistant Director of Clinical Education/Pro Bono Faculty Advisor), University (Faculty Development Committee, Center for Health Care Initiatives Committee Member), Dr. Wienk is involved with service to the community by serving multiple roles in his church including pulpit supply, moderator, pastor search committee, outreach, and mission boards. He taught Karate for 17 years to college students and children. He has coached youth track, basketball, and basketball, Let me Run, and has been deeply involved with prison ministry, including the M2 Prison ministry program at the South Dakota State Penitentiary.