Ward Heij is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training at the University of Utah. His work focuses on improving the delivery of evidence-based physical therapy for older adults through implementation science, behavior change strategies, and person-centered care.
Dr. Heij earned his PhD in Medical Sciences from Radboud University in the Netherlands, where he studied the implementation of Coach2Move, an innovative physical therapy approach designed to help older adults become and remain physically active. At the University of Utah, he leads efforts to adapt and implement Coach2Move across a variety of healthcare settings in the United States, collaborating with clinicians, health systems, and community partners to improve the quality and effectiveness of care.
His research interests include healthy aging, healthcare innovation, person-centered care, and the translation of research into everyday clinical practice. Through his work, he aims to bridge the gap between scientific evidence and real-world care, helping healthcare professionals deliver more effective and meaningful interventions for the people they serve.
Dr. Heij's research has received national and international recognition. His doctoral dissertation was nominated for Best PhD Dissertation in Biomedical Sciences in the Netherlands and for Best PhD Dissertation in Physical Therapy by the Royal Dutch Association for Physical Therapy. His research was also nominated for the Castor Research Award. In addition, his work was featured on the APTA's Meet the Author podcast following the selection of one of his publications as an Editor's Choice article in PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal.
Drawing on training in both health sciences and business, Dr. Heij is particularly interested in developing scalable strategies that help healthcare organizations implement evidence-based innovations and improve outcomes for the populations they serve.
