Meet the Freedom PTs: Stories from Our Team
Behind every successful recovery is a PT with a story — why they chose this career, what they love about helping patients, and the passions that make them unique. This National Physical Therapy Month, we’re spotlighting the Freedom Physical Therapy team so you can get to know the people who help keep our communities moving.
Michael Verplancke – DPT, CSCS, CMTPT, CFC
Clinic Location – Grafton Clinic
Areas of Expertise – Chronic Pain Management, Dry Needling, Headaches and Migraines, Myofascial Release, Spine Care, TMJ Dysfunction
Why PT?
When I attended college, I knew I wanted to do something within the medical profession. However, I never really knew what direction I would or should choose. While I was enrolled at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, I also had the good fortune of being able to play ice hockey. It was during both my Freshman and Sophomore seasons that I hurt both of my knees. These injuries required visits to a local Physical Therapist. It was during these sessions that I was able to fully appreciate the role of a PT in the rehabilitation process, and this interaction ultimately led me to apply to PT school, gain my degree and credentials, and here I am, still going strong!
Favorite part of job
I think my favorite part of this career is the end product. We build relationships with our patients, and we tend to see people at the lowest points. To be able to connect on a personal level, while also providing the tools needed for physical improvements, is the best reward any PT can get!
Fun Fact
My wife and I met nearly 30 years ago when we were in college, and we have 3 beautiful daughters (18, 16, and 15 years old), as well as a 6-month-old Golden Retriever named Georgia. I still play ice hockey, and I coach ice hockey at the High School level for the Lakeshore Lightning Girls’ Co-op. I also enjoy playing men’s league softball, golfing, and sitting by a fire on the patio with my family and a glass of bourbon! When life calms down a bit, I’d love to travel more.
Trenton Rehman – PT, DPT, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, Certified Functional Dry Needling Practitioner, Titleist Performance Institute Certified
Clinic Location – Brookfield Clinic
Areas of Expertise – Chronic Pain Management, Dry Needling, Headaches and Migraines, Myofascial Release, Orthopedic Care, Spine Care, TMJ Dysfunction, TPI Golf, Vestibular and Balance
Why PT?
The reason I chose to be a physical therapist is because when I was looking for a career I wanted something that allowed me to work with people, be active and help others be active. I was very lucky to shadow multiple great providers in the field before deciding to become a physical therapist and after shadowing Kris Johnson and Tim Provencher I saw what exceptional care looked like, I saw the true impact physical therapy can have on a persons life, and I saw the real relationships they formed with their p
Favorite part of job
My favorite part of the job is the relationships I form with my patients, hearing peoples stories about their lives, and the satisfaction of reaching a functional goal that someone was struggling to meet.
Fun Fact
I have many interests and hobbies, which now revolve primarily around my family including my wife Nicole, my son Lincoln, baby #2 on the way and my dog banks. When not spending time with them I really enjoy recreational sports like golf, sand volleyball, and basketball as well as getting out doors hunting and fishing. As of late, I have taken to gardening and spending time pickling vegetables.
Jeff Verhagen, PT, MBA, CMTPT, Director of Clinical Therapy & Clinical Operations Administrator
Clinic Location – Brookfield Clinic and Brookfield Greenfield Ave Clinic
Areas of Expertise – Chronic Pain Management, Craniosacral Therapy, Custom Orthotics, Dry Needling, Manual Therapy including Graston and Myofascial Release, Spine Care, TMJ Dysfunction, Vestibular and Balance
Why PT?
Well, being an athlete and enjoying sports, I thought this would be a great field to get into and help others. Little did I know then, that I would be dry needling patients and helping them with jaw/TMJ problems and fixing there vertigo along with some of the more common musculoskeletal problems I see every day. It gives me great satisfaction to be able to solve someone’s problem that they have had for years and being the one medical person that is able to figure out how to get them back functional and painfree…super satisfying and fun. It keeps me wanting to come to work every day.
I honestly thought I was going to become a medical doctor, if things didn’t work out as a physical therapist. But, I’m really glad I am doing what I am and having such an impact on people’s lives. I have patients and families that I have been serving over 25 years and that is just an awesome feeling that they put their trust in me and their family members.
Fun Fact
In my spare time, I enjoy playing golf, fishing/boating, exercising to stay in shape and spending time with my wife, kids and friends. Mainly now just my wife and friends since my kids are grown, with one a medical doctor down at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville and the other soon be a medical doctor as well, currently studying at the Medical College of Wisconsin. I have a very blessed life and a wonder family and friends and love serving others in my community.
Wes Kokott,PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CMPT, COMT, FDN2
Clinic Location – Mukwonago Clinic
Areas of Expertise – Chronic Pain Management, Dry Needling, TMJ Dysfunction, Neurological Rehab, Spine Care, TMJ Dysfunction, Throwing Analysis and Performance, Vestibular and Balance
Why PT?
I decided to become a PT when I was debating on different medical fields. My friend introduced to a serious and mean ultimate frisbee league on the East Side of Milwaukee after I graduated from my undergraduate studies. There I sustained a grade 3 hamstring strain, where I needed extensive rehab to get back to playing. After rehabbing for over 3 months, I had a much better understanding of what a physical therapist did. I loved how you get to know your patients more than any other health professional combined my favorite subject anatomy and physiology.
Favorite Part of Job
My favorite part of the job is trying to solve challenging patient conditions. I enjoy learning and applying new techniques and using them in my practice to help solve complex problems.
Fun Fact
My hobby is going on road trips. At each place that is unique, I will try to collect mugs.
Scott Coonen – DPT, CSCS, CMTPT
Clinic Location – Fox Point Clinic
Areas of Expertise – Chronic Pain Management, Dry Needling, Orthopedic Care, Spine Care, Sports Medicine
Why PT?
I pulled a hamstring in track junior year in high school and went to see a PT for it. Going through that experience helped me to realized that I wanted to be a PT. I enjoy helping others regain their mobility, strength, and function everyday.
Favorite Part of Job
Having great co-workers and helping people get back to living their lives the way they want.
Fun Fact
My home town is where the hamburger was invented in 1885 by Hamburger Charlie Negrein!
Come See Us at Freedom Physical Therapy
Our PTs are at the heart of everything we do. If you think physical therapy could benefit you — or if one of our team’s stories resonated — we’d love to meet you. Reach out today and take the next step toward greater freedom in how you move and live!