Drew Contreras, PT, DPT Dr. Drew Contreras, PT, DPT - received his Master of Physical Therapy from Gannon University in 1998 and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2008. He is an APTA board certified Sports Clinical Specialist since 2003. Serving over 20 years on active duty as a career military officer and practicing physical therapist within the US Army & Department of Defense, Drew has served in a number of settings and military units throughout his career before his retirement in 2020. He spent his early career at Ft Benning, GA working in a direct access primary musculoskeletal physical therapy setting evaluating and treating over 5000 soldiers a year in initial entry training and the US Army airborne school. In 2003 he moved on to Ft Bragg, NC where his primary role was supporting the 82nd Airborne Division and various special operations units. His skills were put to work extensively in 2006-2007 during a 15-month continuous deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was the first physical therapist to serve in sustained combat operations with the 82nd Airborne Division. After returning, Drew moved to Washington DC to work at the Pentagon Health Clinic where he served as the Director of Wellness and Physical Therapy. During this time, he served as a consultant to the White House Medical Unit and was then chosen as a by name selection by President Obama to serve as the first ever full time physical therapist at the White House. There he served as the Physical Therapist to the White House Medical Unit and 44th President of the United States Barack Obama from 2010 until the end of the administration in 2017. During his time in Washington DC, he has worked with a wide range of government officials as well as police and law enforcement agencies. He traveled the world with the patients he served and was able to help keep people functioning in their roles to serve the nation. He transitioned to Fort Belvoir Community Hospital where he used his experience in the clinic as well as mentoring junior clinicians and students of the Interservice Physician Assistant Program. He finished his career returning to Ft Bragg to serve as the Chief of the Physical Performance Service Line / Physical Therapy at Womack AMC - Defense Health Agency. There he oversaw the largest physical therapy clinic in the Department of Defense. After retiring, he returned to the Washington DC area where he established a concierge practice to provide clinical care and consulting. LTC (R) Contreras has served in multiple advisory roles and continues to offer his expertise on numerous panels and committees. He currently works for the American Physical Therapy Association as a member of the senior leadership as the Vice President of Strategic Affairs. There he works to enhance the service and scope of practice of physical therapists working across the country. 

In his capacity as Deputy Senior Advisor, Howard plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of veteran care and support. He provides invaluable counsel to the Secretary and senior leadership, guiding them through a complex landscape of policy and strategic initiatives. With a focus on implementing the Administration's key priorities, Howard is dedicated to driving transformative changes in Community Care and Direct Care, advancing ambitious suicide prevention strategies, tackling the urgent issue of veteran homelessness, and spearheading the modernization of VA Police operations. His efforts aim to create a more supportive, effective, and responsive environment for our Nation’s Veterans. 

Richard (Rick) Marble is a transformational leader at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with expertise in large-scale digital transformation, systems integration, and agile program management. Leveraging advanced skills in enterprise modernization, lean governance, and data-driven strategy, Rick has engineered national innovations that have dramatically improved health care access for Veterans. 

As Solution Train Engineer and Business Owner for External Provider Scheduling (EPS) within the Office of Integrated Veteran Care, Rick leads national collaboration between VA and community health care systems, uniting thousands of providers under a shared mission of Veteran-centered access and seamless scheduling. 

A retired U.S. Air Force Veteran with 26 years of service, Rick brings servant leadership, discipline, and mission focus to every initiative. He is a certified SAFe Release Train Engineer, Product Owner/Product Manager, and Scrum Master, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management from Trident University.

Mark Havran, PT, DPT, ATC, Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, serves as the National Physical Therapy Program Manager within the office of Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services (RPS).   Additionally, he has served as the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Service Director located at VA Central Iowa Healthcare System in a dual role, prior to full time within RPS.  He has been with the VHA since 2003 and a practicing Physical Therapist since 1995.  

He is currently collaborating in current projects with Primary Care Services, Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning, Women’s Health, Geriatrics and Extended Care, and the Office of Rural Health.  These projects include Physical Therapy in Primary Care, Women’s Health, and Biopsychosocial pain programming.

Recently graduated from the LEADS Capstone Course for Military Health Systems & Interagency Institute for Federal Health Leaders. He served as the President of the Federal Physical Therapy Section from 2014-2020, which included therapists from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Bureau of Prisons, Indian Health Services and VHA.  Dr. Havran was selected for the 2022 American Physical Therapy Associations Federal Innovator Award in 2022.  He also draws from his experience as a certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and previous experience in working with elite athletes.  He has participated in many National, and VISN, and local committees to focus on bridging the gap of knowledge to improve outcomes.