Bio

Zens joined the Dakota Wesleyan athletic training staff in 2018 as an associate professor, physical therapist and athletic trainer. He came to DWU after nearly 15 years at the Orthopedic Institute in Sioux Falls where he began as the first physical therapist and helped the rehab department grow to 14 PTs, four OTs and over a dozen athletic trainers. Zens specializes in both operative and non-operative care of shoulders, ranging from professional athletes to youth and everything in between.

He attended South Dakota State University where he attained his degree in athletic training. He then went on to Des Moines University – Osteopathic Medical Center and received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy and has since achieved the American Physical Therapy Association Sports Specialist Certification. He has been a speaker at several regional, national and international conferences and has several publications in journals such as Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, the American Journal of Sports Medicine, the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy and the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.

He is a member of multiple committees, including the state and national PT and AT Associations. The Canova, S.D., native is also an active member of the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists, where he currently serves as their president. He is active in coaching youth sports as well as serving on his church council and the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo committee, as well as an associate for the Justin Sports Medicine Team for Pro Rodeo.

Zens is also still active with the cattle production on his family farm, helping him become a member of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association as well as the President of the South Dakota Hereford Association Board of Directors.

Zens is married to his wife Jill and they have three children – Stratton, Treston and Shaylee.