Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency
The Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Orthopedic Residency offers advanced clinical training in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, delivered in a dynamic environment of professional mentorship, clinical excellence, research, and education.
This post-professional residency program, built on the latest Description of Residency Practice: Orthopedics (DRP) from the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE), provides a unique opportunity for graduates of accredited physical therapy programs to specialize and advance their careers.
Program Highlights
Advanced Knowledge & Expertise
Residents develop advanced skills and clinical expertise in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, preparing for specialty practice and leadership roles in the profession.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Residents work closely with an interdisciplinary team to restore hope and freedom for individuals with diverse orthopedic conditions. Subspecialty rotations include mechanical spinal conditions and chronic pain management.
Evidence-Based Practice
Residents implement evidence-based clinical practices and actively share their knowledge with students, clinicians, patients, and families.
High Ethical Standards
Residents uphold professionalism and ethical excellence in all aspects of their practice.
Ortho Residency at Mary Free Bed
The Mary Free Bed Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency is fully accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE), ensuring the highest standards of education and clinical training.
Clinical Curriculum
The curriculum is based on the most recent Description of Resident Practice: Orthopaedics from the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education.
The 12-month program consists of three four-month rotations. One resident will be selected per year, and the resident will rotate through the following areas in outpatient orthopedics:
Rotations Include
- Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center: Residents gain expertise in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, including pre- and post-operative care, working alongside a multidisciplinary team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and orthopedic specialists. This rotation emphasizes collaborative care for patients with diverse orthopedic conditions.
- Pain Rehabilitation Program: Residents develop skills in treating patients with chronic pain and headaches through a multidisciplinary approach. Guided by clinical mentors, residents learn strategies to empower patients to reduce pain, manage symptoms, and reclaim functional lives. The team includes physical and occupational therapists, pain psychologists, and medical providers specializing in chronic pain management.
- The Spine Center: Using a McKenzie-based approach, residents focus on restoring spinal health through rehabilitation, encouraging patients to take an active role in managing their conditions. This rotation emphasizes non-surgical, non-pharmacological care for outpatient orthopedic spinal conditions, both pre- and post-operatively, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.
On-Site Lunch & Learns
- Clinical Hours: Residents treat patients 25+ hours per week, focusing on advanced clinical reasoning and patient-centered care.
- Didactic Learning: Remaining time is dedicated to structured education, enhancing clinical expertise.
This comprehensive curriculum equips residents with advanced skills, clinical confidence, and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing them for leadership roles in orthopedic physical therapy.
Residents treat patients clinically 25-plus hours a week and spend the remaining hours in didactic learning.
Didactics
The Mary Free Bed Orthopedic Residency curriculum is grounded in the latest Description of Residency Practice: Orthopedics from the American Physical Therapy Association, offering a robust didactic component to enhance clinical expertise and reasoning.
Didactic Learning Highlights
- Comprehensive Learning Modules: Residents engage in self-guided modules, directed readings, hands-on practice, and mentor-led discussions. Weekly dedicated hours focus on specialty-specific knowledge and advanced clinical reasoning.
- Orthopedic Section Modules: Core didactic content includes the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA’s Current Concepts in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, with residents tested on key topics throughout the program.
- Research & Case Studies: Residents will conduct a research project or case study based on real patient conditions, preparing their findings for publication to advance evidence-based practice and scientific writing skills.
Professional Development Opportunities
- Teaching Experience: Residents serve as adjunct faculty in musculoskeletal and spine labs at Grand Valley State University.
- Observational Learning: Activities include observing in the Motion Analysis Center, work conditioning, hand therapy, fluoroscopically guided spinal injections, and orthopedic and spinal surgeries.
- Community Engagement: Residents oversee GVSU DPT students in a pro bono clinic, providing care for uninsured and underinsured individuals in Grand Rapids.
This comprehensive didactic program prepares residents for leadership in orthopedic physical therapy, combining advanced learning, research, teaching, and community impact.
Job Details
Residents have full-time status as Mary Free Bed employees, which includes full-time benefits. They’re also appointed part-time faculty at Grand Valley State University, which includes access to university resources.
Fees: $400 for curriculum
Eligibility
- You must be a physical therapist or in your final year of an accredited physical therapy program.
- Applicants must have obtained State of Michigan licensure prior to beginning their residency.
Questions
- If you have further questions, email recruitment@maryfreebed.com.
- For program-specific questions, email PTorthoresidency@maryfreebed.com.
- Download the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Orthopedic Residency Program Financial Fact Sheet.
Faculty
- Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
- Certificate in Dance Rehabilitation Training from Westside Dance Physical Therapy
- Attended McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy Courses A-D
- DPT, Grand Valley State University
- Certified orthopedic clinical specialist
- Certified strength and conditioning specialist
- Certified orthopedic clinical specialist
- Certified in McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment
- DPT, Grand Valley State University; BS Biopsychology, University of Michigan
- Eighteen years of clinical experience, including 15 years in Mary Free Bed’s Pain Rehabilitation program
- Supervises Grand Valley State University DPT students in research
- Certified in McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment
- Certified orthopedic clinical specialist, therapeutic pain specialist
- MS PT, Grand Valley State University
- Certified in McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment
- DPT, Central Michigan University
- BS Exercise Science, Grand Valley State University
- Previously Mary Free Bed’s first resident
- Credentialed in McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment
- DPT, Grand Valley State University
Ready to apply?
The application window is now open! Our admissions committee reviews applications four times per year (Aug 1, Nov 1, Feb 1 and May 1) with a floating start date based on program openings and applicant availability.
Please submit your application through the RF-PTCAS system.
Click here to start the application process.
Program Goals
Program Goals The Mary Free Bed Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency is designed to develop expert clinicians who deliver exceptional care and contribute to advancing the profession. Our goals include:
These goals are measured using 15 key performance indicators.
Deliver Evidence-Based Care
Graduate residents equipped to provide advanced, evidence-based orthopedic physical therapy in outpatient settings, emphasizing patient-centered and interdisciplinary collaborative practices.
Develop Advanced Curriculum
Offer a robust post-professional curriculum based on the latest Description of Residency Practice: Orthopaedics, with a focus on evidence-based orthopedic care.
Ensure High-Quality Experiences
Provide consistent, high-quality training across Mary Free Bed clinics, including direct patient care and specialty observations targeting key orthopedic health conditions.
Certify Advanced Expertise
Prepare residents to successfully obtain their Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) Certification.
Maintain Accreditation
Obtain and uphold accreditation status through the ABPTRFE.
Foster Leadership & Scholarship
Graduate residents who actively contribute to the physical therapy profession through leadership, teaching, and scholarly work.
Program Outcomes
Program Outcomes Our residency produces skilled clinicians who excel in advanced orthopedic physical therapy and professional development:
These outcomes are assessed using 35 key performance indicators.
Advanced Clinical Competence
Residents will demonstrate advanced knowledge, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based practices to treat diverse patient populations effectively, using a patient-centered and interdisciplinary approach.
Educational Proficiency
Residents will develop skills as effective educators, capable of engaging and instructing patients, caregivers, students, and peers in orthopedic topics.
Ethical Excellence
Residents will exhibit high standards of ethical practice and professionalism in interactions with patients, families, and colleagues.
Research Integration
Residents will acquire advanced skills in integrating clinical research into practice, contributing to the growing body of evidence in orthopedic physical therapy.
Certification Readiness
Residents will be fully prepared to sit for and pass the ABPTS Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist Certification Exam.
Professional Contribution
Residents will actively contribute to the advancement of orthopedic physical therapy through leadership, teaching, and involvement at local, state, or global levels.
Research
Research Each year, the resident presents his or her findings at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital’s Interdisciplinary Grand Rounds. Most residents also present their findings at a national level as either a poster or platform presentation. Listed below are citations for the residents’ presentations and links to the published works.
Rutherford, A. & Miller, T. Sensitivity of Physical Outcome Measures to Change and Mediating Effects of Psychological Variables in Individuals with Chronic Pain.
- Submitted to PT Journal (Fear of Movement Special Edition).
Schrader, T. Survival Analysis of Opioid Abstinence in Patients Who Completed a Multidisciplinary Pain Program.
- Poster presented at Midwest Pain Society Meeting, Oct. 4–5, 2019.
- Accepted for poster presentation at APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Feb. 12–15, 2020.
Spruit, E. & Miller, T. Assessment of Healthcare Professional and Physical Therapist Knowledge of Pain Science and Neurophysiology: The Revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire in a Rehabilitation Hospital Network.
- Posters presented at:
- MPTA Annual Meeting, Oct. 2018.
- APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Jan. 23–26, 2019.
- Midwest Pain Society Meeting, Nov. 9, 2018.
- Research poster at Michigan Physical Therapy Association Annual Fall Conference, Oct. 5–6, 2018.