Julie Wingen is the owner of Pain & Movement Solutions, a five-location practice serving South Dakota. Recognized as 2024 South Dakota Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year and 2019 PT of the Year, she advances the value of physical therapy and direct access. Julie serves as APTA Federal Affairs Liaison, is a past Payment Chair, and currently chairs the APTA Private Practice Peer2Peer Committee, bringing proven advocacy and leadership to the APTA Private Practice Section.

Candidate Statement:

I didn’t set out to become a business owner. I pursued physical therapy because I wanted to help people live healthier, fuller lives. Early on, I saw the potential of private practice—physical therapists leading musculoskeletal care, transforming lives through movement, and reducing reliance on costly, invasive interventions.

At the same time, I recognized a clear gap between that potential and reality. Despite our education and strong evidence base, physical therapists are often positioned as a secondary service—undervalued and underutilized within the healthcare system. That didn’t align with the future I saw for our profession, and I made the decision to help change it.

Less than a year after graduating, I opened Pain & Movement Solutions in 2011. What began as a single clinic has grown into a multi-location practice built on a clear model: physical therapists as primary providers for neuromusculoskeletal care. Our treatment model, culture, and community impact have earned recognition, including South Dakota Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year and PT of the Year. More importantly, it has reinforced what is possible when we step fully into our value.

I believe in where private practice is going. Demand for what we offer continues to grow, and our opportunity to shape the future of healthcare is real. At the same time, challenges within our profession still limit our full potential. I am inspired by the practice owners and leaders pushing that change forward, and I am running for the PPS Board of Directors to help accelerate and build on that progress.

I live in the same reality as many of you. I am a solo owner who still treats patients while carrying responsibility across every part of my organization. I am also a wife, a mom of three, and actively involved in my community and church. Like many practice owners, I make critical decisions daily without the support of a large administrative team. I understand both the pressure and the opportunity that come with that responsibility, and I am committed to representing that perspective.

I will represent small and mid-sized practices at the board level. While practice sizes may differ, many of our challenges are shared—and solutions that move one part of the profession forward ultimately strengthen us all. My leadership has been grounded in action. As Payment Chair, I built a committee that delivered measurable results, including increased Medicaid reimbursement, prevention of PTA payment cuts, and expanded workers’ compensation direct access. As Federal Affairs Liaison, I have built relationships with legislators that have led to consistent support for physical therapy, including progress on loan repayment initiatives.

Through Peer2Peer, I have had the opportunity to present at conferences, mentor, and serve practice owners across the country. That experience—and now serving as committee Chair—has reinforced my commitment to continuing the work of those who have invested in this profession and paying that impact forward.

Whether you’re a solo provider, leading multiple clinics, or part of a multi-state platform, there are key areas I believe we must stay focused on:

  1. Strengthening our brand. We are a doctorate-level profession, and we must consistently own that value. Our identity should be clear, with unified messaging so our impact is recognized in both public and decision-making spaces.
  2. Advancing payment reform. We deliver essential, high-value, cost-effective care, yet remain underrecognized and underleveraged. Strengthening our economic data will ensure our impact is undeniable and that reimbursement aligns with our value.
  3. Addressing workforce challenges. Patient demand continues to grow while recruitment remains a barrier. Rising education costs and limited loan repayment opportunities make private practice a harder path. We must find solutions that support small businesses as the impact of private practice is unmatched.
  4. Making private practice easier to execute. Our Section has made meaningful progress, and we need to keep building on it. Providing practical tools, resources, and support reduces friction and allows practice owners to grow their teams, expand access, and increase their impact.

We are at a critical moment for our profession, and APTA Private Practice is uniquely positioned to lead us into our full potential. I am ready to contribute and would be honored to help move our profession forward.