Joel Sattgast

Joel Sattgast is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Eastern Washington University (EWU). He holds a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Creighton University and an undergraduate degree from Concordia University, Nebraska. Dr. Sattgast is a board-certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Prior to his academic role, he practiced clinically in Northwest Washington and taught in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs at institutions in Michigan and North Carolina, focusing on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, exercise prescription, clinical reasoning, and pain science. His expertise includes orthopedics, sports performance, and injury management in elite and endurance athletes. Research interests span running biomechanics, performance coaching, and communication strategies in healthcare. He is affiliated with the Health Sciences Building at EWU.

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree from Concordia University, Nebraska
• Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Creighton University
• Professional Background:
• Clinical practice in Northwest Washington
• Teaching roles at DPT programs in Michigan and North Carolina
• Key Expertise:
• Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
• Sports and performance medicine
• Biomechanics of running

Dr. Sattgast’s work emphasizes bridging clinical practice with academic education, particularly in optimizing injury prevention and performance outcomes for athletes. His research trends focus on translating biomechanical insights into practical coaching and therapeutic strategies.