CAPT Scott Gaustad was selected as the Chief Professional Officer (CPO) for the therapist category effective March 16, 2011. As Chief Therapist Officer, CAPT Gaustad is responsible for providing leadership and coordination of Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps) therapist professional affairs for the Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) and the Department of Health and Human Services. CAPT Gaustad will provide guidance and advice to the Surgeon General and the Therapist Professional Advisory Committee (TPAC) on matters such as recruitment, retention, and career development of the Corps.

CAPT Gaustad received his Bachelor’s of Science degree from Northern Arizona University in 1988. He then entered the College of Health Sciences Physical Therapy Program at Northern Arizona University in 1988 where he received a master’s degree in Physical Therapy in 1991.

CAPT Gaustad began his Corps career as staff physical therapist at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri in 1995. In 1997, CAPT Gaustad was appointed Chief of Physical Therapy at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners and served in this capacity until 2006. He was responsible for the clinical and administrative physical therapy services at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners that is a major Bureau of Prisons medical referral center for low to maximum security medical, surgical, and forensic psychology inmates.

In October 2006, he transferred to the Whiteriver Service Unit with Indian Health Service (IHS) in Whiteriver, Arizona. CAPT Gaustad currently serves as a clinical specialist in the areas of orthopedics and advanced wound care. He also concurrently serves as the IHS Chief Clinical Consultant for Rehabilitative Services. As Chief Clinical Consultant, he serves as a resource to the IHS Chief Medical Officer and other IHS Headquarters staff on all aspects of Physical Rehabilitation (P.T., O.T. and SLP) for the IHS and the nearly 2.4 million Native Americans and Alaska Natives in the United States.

CAPT Gaustad has served on numerous Corps transformation and readiness work groups and has shown notable leadership in Corps activities. He served as chair of the Corps TPAC, Chair of Professional Advisory Committee Chair Group, and served on numerous TPAC subcommittees and task forces. CAPT Gaustad has lectured extensively on wound care, the diabetic foot, and orthopedic physical therapy. He serves as a contributor and subject matter expert to the biennial Indian Health Diabetes Best Practice Foot Care and Physical Activity Guidelines.

He is a member of many professional organizations including the Commissioned Officers Association, American Therapy Association, American, Association for the Advancement of Wound Care, American Professional Wound Care Association, Association of Military Surgeons United States, Military Officer’s Association, National Strength and Conditioning Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, and American College of Sports Medicine.

CAPT Gaustad has been a regular officer since 2004, and has received numerous Corps awards including two Achievement Medals, two Outstanding Unit Citations, seven Unit Commendations, two Special Assignment Awards, two Crisis Response Service Awards, National Emergency Preparedness Award, Hazardous Duty Award, Isolated Hardship Award, and Field Medical Readiness Badge.