Jennifer Hankenson, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery (Physiatry) at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and serves as Program Director (Designate) for the developing PM&R Residency Program. She is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as Lifestyle Medicine.

Dr. Hankenson earned her medical degree from the University of South Florida and completed her residency training at Georgetown/MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, DC, where she was named Resident of the Year in 2020. Prior to joining the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2025, she served on the faculty at Yale School of Medicine, where she was Program Director for the Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Residency Program and Associate Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs.

Her clinical expertise focuses on spasticity management, neurorehabilitation, and lifestyle medicine approaches to functional recovery. Dr. Hankenson has a special interest in rehabilitation for patients with cerebral palsy, developmental disorders, stroke, and neurological conditions. She is actively involved in research, including investigations into innovative rehabilitation technologies and spasticity treatment.

Dr. Hankenson is recognized nationally for her leadership in academic physiatry. She was named an Innovators Influencers Honoree by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2025 and founded the AAPM&R Hypermobility Member Community. She is a frequent invited speaker at national conferences and has been featured as a medical expert in numerous media outlets including NBC News, WebMD, U.S. News World Report, and National Geographic.

At the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Dr. Hankenson is building the infrastructure for a new PM&R residency program and serves as Clerkship Director for PM&R medical student electives. She is committed to advancing rehabilitation medicine through clinical excellence, education, and innovation.