Orthopedic physical therapy residency

The Spectrum Health Orthopedic Residency Program is designed to provide licensed physical therapists with advanced training in orthopedics. The program participant will train with senior clinical staff emphasizing the development of skills in clinical decision making, treatment strategies, and scholarly review of the latest evidence throughout the scope of outpatient rehabilitation. Participants will work closely with experienced faculty who serve as mentors and will rotate through four clinical sites allowing the participant specialized orthopedic training in a variety of settings, patient demographics, and age ranges. The program utilizes a rigorous, evidence-based curriculum coupled with dedicated time spent with a mentor to foster the development of strong clinical practice management skills. Additionally, the participant will observe medical staff in clinical and surgical settings, assist with the instruction of physical therapy topics in an academic setting in partnership with the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Grand Valley State University. The participant will maintain a part-time clinical schedule throughout the program.

The program curriculum is designed to prepare the participant to sit for the ABPTS Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Examination and is approximately 53 weeks in duration beginning in September of each year.

The program has been granted Developing Status and is preparing to apply for candidacy from the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education.

Upon graduation, the program will track participant performance on the ABPTS Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Examination and employment roles for a period of up to 5 years.

The curriculum will be based on the most recent Description of Residency Practice from the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education. Didactic Education will include sections on:

• Mentor
• Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics
• 25+ years of orthopedic physical therapy experience and mentoring physical therapy students
• MS PT, Grand Valley State University

• Mentor
• Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics
• Graduate of Michigan Medicine Orthopedic Residency
• 6 years of orthopedic physical therapy experience
• DPT, Central Michigan University

• Mentor
• Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
• 9 Years of orthopedic physical therapy experience
• USATF level 2 Certified Coach
• DPT, Central Michigan University

• Mentor
• Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics
• 12 years of orthopedic physical therapy experience
• DPT, Grand Valley State University

• Mentor, Program Advisor
• Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedics
• Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports
• 10 years of orthopedic physical therapy experience
• DPT, Concordia University Wisconsin

• Director of Clinical Rehab Practice, Spectrum Health
• Program Director

• Program Coordinator
• 22+ years of orthopedic physical therapy experience
• 15+ years as Site Coordinator of Clinical Education
• 20+ years of clinical education experience
• MS PT, Grand Valley State University

• Graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program, or currently enrolled and in good standing in a DPT program with expected graduation date to enable to sit for the NPTE in July.
• Licensed or eligible to be licensed to practice physical therapy in the State of Michigan by the start of the program.
• Eligible for employment by Corewell Health.
• APTA and Orthopedic Section membership by the start of the program.

All applications are processed through the Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS) and must include:

1. Completion of application form and essay
2. 3 professional letters of recommendation (1 academic, 1 professional, 1 applicant’s choice between academic and professional)
3. Professional Resume 

Applicants will be evaluated on the following:

1. Clinical and Mentorship Experience
2. Clinical Orthopedics Experience
3. Quality of Application Essay
4. Letters of Recommendation
5. Applicant’s Career Development Plan

For those with questions about our orthopedic physical therapy residency program, please email the Program Coordinator.