Joseph A. Wegner, MD PNBC Founder and Board Member Dr. Wegner is one of the founding partners of Physicians Neck & Back Clinics (PNBC) along with Dr. Charles Kelly and Dr. Brian Nelson. In addition to his Doctor of Medicine, Dr. Wegner holds a Masters of Public Health and board certification in Occupational Medicine. Prior to devoting his practice to PNBC, he served as the director of Workers’ Compensation and Disability Management for Health Risk Management and treated patients for Group Health, Inc. (now HealthPartners), where he helped create their Department of Occupational Medicine. He is a frequent speaker on the topic of lower back pain, has conducted research studies and published articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, and participates in a training program for the University of Minnesota family practice residents. Having an interest in both local and national medical issues, Dr. Wegner served for nearly a decade as chair of the Minnesota Medical Services Review Board, which advises the Department of Labor and Industry on work-related injuries and illnesses.

Education:

• St. Thomas University, Bachelor degree in Biology, 1975
• University of Minnesota Medical School 1976-1980
• Joint residency in Internal Medicine/Occupational Medicine, University of Minnesota Affiliated Hospitals, 1981-1985
• Masters of Public Health, Environmental Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 1986

Certification(s):

• Board Certified in Occupational Medicine, 1987

Professional Activitie(s):

• Chairman of the Minnesota Medical Services Review Board (the group that advises the Department of Labor and Industry on medical issues relating to work-related injuries and illnesses) 1994-2001
• Past president of North Central Environmental and Occupational Medicine Society
• Fellow, American College of Environmental and Occupational Medicine
• Member, North American Spine Society
• Member, Ramsey County Medical Society

Speaking Engagement(s):

• Frequently a requested guest speaker in the area of low back pain

Awards: Recognized Physician:  National Committee for Quality Assurance Back Pain Recognition Program; 2-Year Recognition (June 24, 2008 – June 24, 2010).

Published Article(s):

• “The clinical effects of intensive, specific exercise on chronic low back pain: a controlled study of 895 consecutive patients with 1-year follow up.” Nelson, B., E. O'Reilly, M. Miller, M. Hogan, J. Wegner, and C. Kelly. Orthopedics 18(10): 971-981, 1995.
  
  
• “Can spinal surgery be prevented by treating surgical candidates with aggressive strengthening exercise? A prospective study of cervical and lumbar patients.” Nelson, B., D. Carpenter, T. Dreisinger, M. Mitchell, E. O'Reilly, C. Kelly, J. Wegner, A. Coulter, J. Palen, and M. Hogan. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 80:20-25, 1999.
  
  
• “ Worker’s Comp: What’s Gone Wrong?” BW Nelson and JA Wegner, Minnesota Physician. Volume 9, No. 7. October 1999.

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