JWPHPT Welcomes Lisa VanWiel as Incoming Associate Editor
Introducing the Next Associate Editor of JWPHPT
The Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy is pleased to welcome Lisa VanWiel, PT, DPT, PhD, as the incoming Associate Editor of the Journal of Women’s & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (JWPHPT). Dr. VanWiel will succeed Patricia A. Crane, who previously served as Associate Editor and was recently appointed Editor-in-Chief.
Dr. VanWiel is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. She brings experience as a pelvic health researcher, educator, clinician, and peer reviewer, including several years of service reviewing manuscripts for JWPHPT.
Her broad areas of expertise include pelvic health across adolescence and aging; women’s health in musculoskeletal care and sports; incontinence; osteoporosis; pregnancy and postpartum health; cardiovascular health; psychological factors; healthcare policy and services; musculoskeletal disorders; and qualitative research.
Dr. VanWiel’s scholarship has examined the complex relationships among pelvic floor function, physical activity, mental health, and cardiovascular health. Her published research includes studies of pelvic floor outcomes associated with physical activity during pregnancy, postpartum experiences with urinary incontinence and physical activity, and the relationship between urinary incontinence and cardiovascular disease risk. She has also contributed a systematic review examining associations between pelvic floor dysfunction and postnatal mental health.
Her commitment to pelvic health education is reflected in her research on integrating pelvic health coursework into Doctor of Physical Therapy curricula. This work, accepted for publication in JWPHPT, explores how a pelvic health elective course can help prepare students for entry-level physical therapy practice.
The Academy looks forward to the research expertise, clinical perspective, and thoughtful editorial leadership Dr. VanWiel will bring to JWPHPT as the Journal enters its next chapter under Dr. Crane’s leadership.
Dr. VanWiel’s notable published works include:
VanWiel L, Noonan E, Johansen-Bracken R. Awareness, Perceived Value, and Barriers to Pelvic Health Physical Therapy in the Perinatal Period: A National Community Survey. Journal of Women’s and Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. Accepted 07/28/2026.
VanWiel L, Gallagher J, Sirotiak Z, Shutters C, Gibbs BB, Whitaker K. Supporting Safe Physical Activity in Pregnancy: Pelvic Floor Outcomes From the Pregnancy 24/7 Study. J Athl Train 2026; published online May 12. DOI:10.4085/1062-6050-0723.25.
VanWiel, L., & Grabowski, P. (2026). Preparing Students for Entry-Level Practice Through a Pelvic Health Elective Course Embedded in DPT Curricula: A Pilot StudyJournal of Women's & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy https://doi.org/10.1097/JWH.0000000000000370
VanWiel, L., Butler, O., Carr, L. J., Gorzelitz, J., Story, W. T., & Whitaker, K. M. (2025). A qualitative analysis of postpartum women’s experiences with urinary incontinence and physical activity. Midwifery, 104591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2025.104591
VanWiel, L., Conway, G. v., Carr, L. J., Gorzelitz, J., Story, W. T., & Whitaker, K. M. (2025). Associations of urinary incontinence with postpartum physical activity: A cross-sectional study. Midwifery, 148, 104535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2025.104535
VanWiel, L. L., Carr, L. J., Bond, D. S., Wu, Y., Tunitsky-Bitton, E., Tulikangas, P., Steinberg, A. C., & Whitaker, K. M. (2025). Associations of urinary incontinence, physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk among women in the United States. Preventive Medicine, 108277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2025.108277
VanWiel, L., Unke, M., Samuelson, R. J., & Whitaker, K. M. (2024). Associations of pelvic floor dysfunction and postnatal mental health: a systematic review. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2024.2314720
Journal of Women’s & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Therapy (JWPHPT) is the primary peer-reviewed, indexed resource for advancing pelvic health and women’s health physical therapy practice through the dissemination of definitive evidence, translation of clinically relevant knowledge and integration of theory into education, practice and research.
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