Captain Scott Gaustad
Chief Therapist Officer, U.S. Public Health Service

As chief therapist officer, CAPT Gaustad leads U.S. Public Health Service therapy professional affairs, advising the Office of the Surgeon General and the Department of Health and Human Services on the recruitment, assignment, deployment, retention, and career development of Public Health Service audiologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, and speech-language pathologists. During his Commissioned Corps career, CAPT Gaustad has worked as a clinical physical therapist with the U.S. Department of Justice/Bureau of Prisons and Indian Health Service (IHS).

CAPT Gaustad joined the Corps in 1995 as a senior physical therapist at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, MO. During his 11 years at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners, CAPT Gaustad served as a clinical physical therapist and Chief of Physical Therapy Services. He was responsible for coordinating and launching the first comprehensive multi-disciplinary wound care team for the medical center. He also coordinated and provided neuropathic foot care for more than 200 diabetic and nephropatic patients assigned to the medical center. Some of his collateral duties include serving as Chair of the Therapist Professional Advisory Committee, Chair of Bio-Ethics Committee, Infection Control Committee, a four-term president for the Ozark Commissioned Officers Association, and on many local and national committees.

In 2006, he transferred to the Indian Health Service and joined the physical therapy staff as a clinical specialist at the USPHS Hospital in Whiteriver, AZ. CAPT Gaustad currently serves as the Chief of Physical Therapy and Chief Clinical Consultant for Indian Health Service Rehabilitation Services. As Chief Clinical Consultant, CAPT Gaustad serves and advises the IHS Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Indian Health Service on all IHS Rehab Services issues.

In 2005, CAPT Gaustad served as Chief of Logistics as part of the Secretary’s Emergency Response Team‘s response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster in Mississippi. He again served in logistics as part of the Incident Response Coordination Team’s response to the 2008 Hurricane Ike disaster in Texas and for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. CAPT Gaustad currently serves as the Deputy-Team Commander for National Incident Support Team-Bravo.

“The variety of roles and responsibilities in clinical or non-clinical rehabilitation positions offer rehab professionals unlimited challenges and experiences. Not only will you serve as a rehab professional in your daily duties, you are also part of an unique team of professionals who respond to national or international disasters.” CAPT Gaustad firmly believes that serving as an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service offers the highest level of officership, collegial teamwork, and dedication to the mission of protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety of the Nation. “There is no finer cadre of rehab professionals than those who serve in the U.S. Public Health Service.”