Jennifer Hankenson, MD
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Biography
Dr. Hankenson, a physiatrist, is an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at Yale School of Medicine and Program Director of the Physiatry residency. She is board certified in Physiatry and Lifestyle Medicine. She specializes in neurorehabilitation in both adults and children. She works in a collaborative approach with other medical professionals, providing a patient and their family a multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving function and overall well-being.
Dr. Hankenson's areas of expertise include the following:
- Adult and pediatric tone evaluation and management
- Botox or chemodenervation as a treatment for spasticity, dystonia and thoracic outlet syndrome
- Baclofen pump management
- Post stroke or traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Cerebral palsy
- Neurologic rehabilitation
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Lifestyle Medicine interventions
Dr. Hankenson first discovered the specialty of physiatry or physical medicine and rehabilitation during her medical school training at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. Her interest in caring for patients with medical conditions requiring complex rehabilitation management grew during her residency at Medstar/Georgetown University in Washington, DC. There she gained exposure to both adult and pediatric rehabilitation in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. She has a strong interest in gait analysis and looks to restore functional gait through non-operative management. She also works closely with her orthopedic colleagues to help with rehabilitation needs pre- and post-surgery.
Dr. Hankenson treats patients at the Milford, Wallingford, North Haven and Long Wharf (pediatric patients only) clinic sites. When she isn’t in the clinic, she’ll be playing tennis, spending time with her family, and spending time outdoors.
Education & Training
- ResidentGeorgetown/Medstar National Rehab Hospital (2020)
- MDUniversity of South Florida
Activities
- Interventional Spasticity LectureZoom 2024Yale Neuroimmunology Fellows Lecture Series
- Functional Neurological DisordersTeams meeting at Yale New Haven Hospital 2023Inservice on FND and implications for Rehabilitation Clinicians
- The Role of Physiatry in Stroke RehabilitationNew Haven, CT, United States 2021Hospitalist Teaching Conference
- Rate of return to acute care when arriving after 5pm: A single institution analysis.Orlando, FL, United States 2020International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
- Botulinum toxin A and physical therapy as treatment for flexion contractures of the knees: A case reportOrlando, FL, United States 2020International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
- Lower lumbosacral plexopathy after posterior acetabular fractureOrlando, FL, United States 2020International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
- Physiatry, Pain Medicine, and the Opioid Crisis: A Focus on FunctionPodcast 2019Association of Academic Physiatrists Journal Club
- Screening for lead toxicity after gun shot wound in a rehabilitation settingOrlando, FL, United States 2018American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Malignant MCA stroke with severe disability after hemicraniectomyAtlanta, GA, United States 2018Association of Academic Physiatrists
- Rehabilitation of an adolescent with febrile infection-related epilepsy syndromeAtlanta, GA, United States 2018Association of Academic Physiatrist
- Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT): A Case Study Using MDT on a Non-Healing Upper Extremity Traumatic AmputationSacramento, CA, United States 2016Annual Meeting of the Association of Academic Physiatrists
Honors & Recognition
Award | Awarding Organization | Date |
---|---|---|
J3P Leadership Training | J3P | 2024 |
Resident of the Year | Medstar/Georgetown National Rehabilitation Hospital | 2020 |
Surgical Intern of the Year | Medstar Washington Hospital Center | 2017 |
Professional Service
Organization | Role | Date |
---|---|---|
Yale Primary Care | Disability Panel | 2024 |
American College of Lifestyle Medicine | Member | 2022 - Present |
Special Olympics medical screening for the Special Olympics of Connecticut MedFest | Volunteer | 2022 - Present |
Yale’s Sports Physical Event | Volunteer | 2022 - Present |
Yale Inpatient Advisory Board, Yale New Haven Health | Member | 2021 - Present |
American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine | Member | 2020 - Present |
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | Member | 2017 - Present |
Association of Academic Physiatrists | Member | 2017 - Present |
Quality Improvement Advisory Board, Medstar National Rehabilitation Hospital | Coach | 2016 - 2020 |
USF Health Service Corps, community on health care and the health career | Volunteer | 2012 - 2014 |
Judeo Christian Clinic and Brandon Free Clinic | Volunteer | 2012 - 2013 |
Big Brothers Big Sisters | Volunteer | 2008 - 2009 |
Departments & Organizations
- Clinical Faculty
- Physiatry
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- Yale Medicine