John Hermansen, MD

Biography

A doctor using the healing power of rehabilitation

John Hermansen helps patients recover from injuries that hinder their ability to live their daily lives.

As a member of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Team at VCU Health, Hermansen treats patients who have experienced strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations, joint or back pain and other medical issues.

He works to help patients find a way to survive and thrive following those kinds of setbacks.

“No two patients have the exact same goals, challenges, and motives, and no two treatments are the same,” Hermansen says. “I enjoy working side-by-side with patients through diagnosis and individualized treatment.”

He helps them understand the health challenges they face, the treatments that could help them get better and what results they can reasonably expect from each potential intervention.

“I am not fond of the traditional paternalistic style of medicine,” he says. “I view myself as more of a mediator between the patient and their medical condition.”

Hermansen is part of a team of rehabilitative medicine practitioners who collaborate with specialists spanning different disciplines to coordinate care for each patient. He also works to forge stronger ties between VCU Health and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the areas of patient care and research.

“It’s important to get an in-depth understanding of each patient’s case and work towards an outcome that truly aligns with their goals,” he says.

An avid cyclist, Hermansen relishes the fresh air and sunshine he gets while pedaling to work or to his kids’ daycare (and while flying down a mountain bike trail). He’s a really big fan of adaptive cycling, a fast-growing part of the bicycling world used for rehabilitation and recreation.

Advice to patients: “Keep searching to find a health care provider who takes the time to listen and understand your goals. Don’t forget you are the most vital member of the team!”

Research interests: Advanced prosthetics and orthotics, 3D printing and design, and brain-computer interfaces.