Good care starts with good people.
Meet the team dedicated to helping you move better, feel stronger, and get back to what matters most.
NEXTGEN TEAM
Brenna Sokol
PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, Dip. Osteopractic, Cert. DN, PCESA lifelong learner, clinical problem-solver, and the driving force behind NextGen. Brenna combines advanced orthopedic expertise with a passion for women’s health, innovative treatments, and making specialized care accessible close to home.
Passionate about movement, strength, and helping people get back to doing what they love, Haylee specializes in orthopedic and sports rehabilitation. She enjoys helping patients build confidence in their bodies through individualized care and progressive exercise.
PT, DPT, Cert. DNHaylee Bruns
We've never been interested in doing things a certain way simply because that's how they've always been done.
The philosophy behind NextGen Physical Therapy + Wellness
MEET
Brenna Sokol
PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, Dip. Osteopractic, Cert. DN, PCES
Founder & Physical Therapist | NextGen Physical Therapy + Wellness
Brenna Sokol is the founder and owner of NextGen Physical Therapy + Wellness, a self-proclaimed lifelong learner, lover of a good challenge, and firm believer that living in a small town shouldn't mean sacrificing access to exceptional healthcare.
Born and raised in rural Nebraska, Brenna always knew she wanted to return to her roots. After earning undergraduate degrees in Biology and Business Administration, she went on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Baylor University. Her education didn't stop there (and if you know Brenna, it probably never will). She completed an orthopedic residency in Minnesota, followed by advanced fellowship training in orthopedic manual physical therapy, earning recognition as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT). She was the first female PT in Nebraska and South Dakota to achieve this fellowship distinction, something she's especially proud to bring back to the rural communities she serves.
Clinical Interests & Specialties
Brenna's clinical interests are extensive, and she has a particular love for the complicated cases that require a little extra detective work. She's passionate about understanding the why behind someone's pain or limitations rather than simply treating the symptoms.
Her advanced training and areas of specialty include:
Orthopedic & Manual Physical Therapy: Complex musculoskeletal conditions, spinal manipulation, joint mobilization, and advanced hands-on techniques.
Pelvic Health: Women's and men's pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and bowel and bladder concerns.
Pregnancy & Postpartum Rehabilitation: Helping women navigate pregnancy, recover after childbirth, and return to strength and activity.
Dry Needling & Osteopractic Techniques: Including advanced periosteal and perineural techniques.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: Using diagnostic imaging to better evaluate musculoskeletal conditions and guide clinical decision-making.
Sports Rehabilitation & Strength Training: Helping athletes and active individuals recover, improve performance, and build resilience.
Vestibular & Concussion Rehabilitation: Addressing dizziness, balance disorders, and recovery following concussion.
Bone Health & Wellness: Supporting strength, mobility, and long-term musculoskeletal health throughout the lifespan.
While Brenna loves the technical side of physical therapy, what she enjoys most is helping patients connect the dots, understand their bodies, and realize they're often capable of much more than they think.
Outside the Clinic
When she's not treating patients, managing clinics, dreaming up her next business idea, or signing up for another continuing education course, Brenna can usually be found embracing the beautiful chaos of family life.
She and her husband, Cole, live in the country north of Verdigre with their three children, Lennox, Layton, and Livienne. Between raising three busy kids, life on the farm, and running a growing business, there's rarely a dull moment (or a quiet one).
Outside of work, Brenna enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, heading to the river, riding side-by-sides, and cheering on Nebraska volleyball and football. She's also an avid reader, a fan of health and science podcasts, and someone who genuinely enjoys learning something new, even in her free time.
She loves a good workout, a little friendly competition, and a cold Diet Coke. And while she's constantly coming up with new ideas, she's happiest spending time with her family, making memories, and enjoying the small-town life she always knew she wanted to return to.
A few things to know about Brenna? She loves a challenge, rarely runs out of ideas, and believes there's almost always something new to learn. Whether she's tackling a complicated patient case, building a new program, or navigating life with three little ones, she tends to approach it all with equal parts determination, curiosity, and humor.
Beyond the Clinic
FAVORITE FUEL
Diet Coke, Protein Shake, Any form of coffee
LIFE OUTSIDE WORK
Husband, three kids & country living
FAVORITE WORKOUT
Strength training with plyo/HIIT sprinkled in
ALWAYS LEARNING
Books, podcasts & continuing education
WEEKEND PLANS
The river, family time & Husker sports
LIFE MOTTO
Work hard in silence and let success be your noise.
MEET
Haylee Bruns
PT, DPT, Cert. DN
Physical Therapist | NextGen Physical Therapy + Wellness
Haylee brings a little bit of everything to NextGen: an athletic background, a passion for strength and movement, a love for getting to know people, and just enough competitive energy to make physical therapy feel like a challenge you actually want to take on.
Originally from Falls City, Nebraska, Haylee attended Doane University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance. During her four years at Doane, she played collegiate basketball and spent three and a half years working as a student athletic trainer with the football team. Between the basketball court and the sidelines, her interest in sports medicine, injury rehabilitation, and human movement continued to grow.
She went on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Briar Cliff University, where she further developed her passion for helping people move better, feel stronger, and return to the activities that matter most to them.
Clinical Interests & Specialties
Haylee has a special interest in sports medicine, orthopedic rehabilitation, strength training, and pelvic floor physical therapy. She is also certified in dry needling and has a growing interest in holistic healthcare, including the relationship between movement, hormones, lifestyle, and overall wellness.
Her treatment philosophy goes well beyond simply addressing the body part that hurts.
Haylee believes physical therapy should focus on understanding the bigger picture, identifying contributing factors, and helping patients build strength and confidence that carries over into everyday life.
One of her favorite parts of being a physical therapist is getting to know the person behind the injury. She values building genuine relationships with her patients and believes trust, communication, and a little humor can go a long way in making rehabilitation successful.
She's especially passionate about helping people discover just how strong and capable they really are. After becoming more consistent with her own strength training, her appreciation for the physical and mental benefits of exercise grew even stronger. She loves helping patients experience that same sense of confidence and accomplishment.
And if you happen to be one of her patients, don't be surprised if your rehab turns into a friendly competition. Whether she's challenging you to a few more reps or joking that you'll owe her a dollar if you knock over one of her cones, Haylee has a way of making hard work a little more fun.
Her philosophy? Physical therapy isn't just bands, ankle weights, and a handful of exercises. It's about building real strength, understanding how your body works, and developing habits that benefit you long after therapy is over.
Her Approach in a Nutshell
Haylee believes that great physical therapy starts with listening, continues with learning, and succeeds when patients feel empowered to take ownership of their health.
She strives to create an environment where patients feel comfortable asking questions, pushing themselves, and celebrating progress, no matter how big or small.
Her biggest lesson as a clinician so far? Keep an open mind and never stop learning.
Outside the Clinic
When she's not treating patients, you'll likely find Haylee embracing life as a wife, mom, farm girl, and fitness enthusiast.
Haylee and her husband, Cole, have been together since their freshman year of college (college sweethearts for the win!) and are now proud parents to their daughter, Mallee, and a second daughter on the way.
She loves spending time on the farm with family, tractor pulling, gardening, shopping, and escaping to the mountains whenever she gets the chance. She's also passionate about her own fitness journey and enjoys finding new ways to challenge herself in the gym.
And while physical therapy seems like a pretty natural fit for her, she claims that if she weren't a PT, she'd be a welder. We'll let you ask her about that one.
Beyond the Clinic
FAVORITE FUEL
a good iced coffee & a Nickelback pump-up song
LIFE OUTSIDE WORK
Husband, two kids & country living
FAVORITE WORKOUT
Deadlifts
WEEKEND PLANS
Shopping and family time
LIFE MOTTO
"Eat beef. Be kind. You're stronger than you think."