Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency
The Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency offers advanced clinical training in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, delivered in a dynamic environment of professional mentorship, clinical excellence, research, and education. It provides an opportunity for a clinician to expand their clinical skills in orthopedics by treating patients in three rotations.
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. Mentoring is a primary component of the program including at least 3 hours per week of one on one mentoring sessions with a Physical Therapist who specializes in their rotation.
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. The resident engages through a variety of opportunities including: competing a scientific inquiry project, didactic learning and teaching opportunity in collaboration with GVSU.
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 accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) as a post professional residency program for physical therapists in Orthopedics, ensuring the highest standards of education and clinical training.
Clinical Curriculum
The curriculum is based on the most recent Description of Residency Practice: Orthopaedics from the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education.
The 12-month program consists of three rotations that are each four months. 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 team approach. Guided by clinical mentors, residents learn strategies to empower patients to reduce pain, teach effective ways to manage symptoms and prevent flare ups in addition to reclaiming 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.
Didactics and Education
- Didactic Learning: Additional time is dedicated to structured education, enhancing clinical expertise such as AOPT learning modules, case studies, collaborative therapy residency/fellowship curriculum, Scientific inquiry project.
- Education: Time is spent in GVSU DPT orthopedic labs as well as leading in-services/journal clubs to share learning with colleagues regarding the latest evidence in special tests and techniques for various orthopedic conditions.
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 25-30 hours per week, focusing on one on one mentoring, advanced clinical reasoning and patient-centered evidence-informed care.
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 Orthopedic Academy of the APTA’s Residency Curriculum, with residents tested on key topics throughout the program.
- Research & Case Studies: Residents will conduct a case report or other scientific inquiry project with submission for peer reviewed publication or presentation at national level as well as presenting at MFB Grand Rounds. This opportunity will advance evidence-based practice and the resident’s 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 hardening, hand therapy, fluoroscopically guided spinal injections, Schroth therapu, and aquatic therapy.
- 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.
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 adjunct faculty at Grand Valley State University assisting in the musculoskeletal and spine labs, which includes access to university resources.
Fees: $625 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
- Certified in McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment
- Therapeutic Pain Specialist
- DPT Elon University
- Board-Certified orthopedic clinical specialist
- Therapeutic Pain Specialist
- Certified in McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment
- Supervises Grand Valley State University DPT students in research
- MS PT, Grand Valley State University
- Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
- Certificate in Dance Rehabilitation Training from Westside Dance Physical Therapy
- Attended McKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy Courses A-D and Advanced Extremities
- DPT, Grand Valley State University
- Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
- Certified in McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment
- DPT, Grand Valley State University
- Mary Free Bed Orthopedic Residency Graduate
- Certified 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.
If you have further questions, email recruitment@maryfreebed.com.
For program-specific questions, email PTorthoresidency@maryfreebed.com.
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:
Deliver Evidence-Based Care
Graduate residents who will serve the residents of West Michigan and beyond by delivering the latest evidenced based care in outpatient orthopaedic physical therapy that integrates advanced patient-centered clinical practice and an interdisciplinary team-based collaborative practice.
Develop Advanced Curriculum
Develop and deliver a curriculum for post-professional learning with strong focus on evidence based orthopedic physical therapy practice that is designed around the latest Description of Residency Practice in Orthopedics
Ensure High-Quality Experiences
Provide residents with a high quality, consistent experience at all Mary Free Bed clinic locations through direct patient care and specialty observations addressing primary health conditions listed in the Description of Residency Practice – Orthopaedic (DRP).
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.
These goals are measured using 15 key performance indicators.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Orthopedic Residency is to provide advanced clinical training in an integrated environment of professional mentorship, clinical excellence, research and education. Residents will develop advanced knowledge, skills and clinical expertise in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, preparing them for advanced specialty practice and to become leaders in their profession. Residents will work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to help restore hope and freedom to people with diverse orthopedic conditions. Residents also will contribute to and effectively implement evidence-based clinical practice and will share their knowledge and expertise with students, fellow clinicians and the patients/families they serve.
Program Outcomes
Program Outcomes Our residency produces skilled clinicians who excel in advanced orthopedic physical therapy and professional development:
Advanced Clinical Competence
Residents will demonstrate advanced knowledge, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based practices to treat diverse patient populations effectively. They will consistently use a patient-centered, interdisciplinary collaborative approach to deliver care designed around the latest Description of Residency: Orthopedics.
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 demonstrate advanced skills in acquisition, dissemination and integration of 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.
These outcomes are assessed using 35 key performance indicators.
Program Success
- Graduation Rate: 100%
- Program goal passing rate: 100%
- Participant outcomes passing rate: 100%
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.
Want to Learn More?
- Check out our Frequently Asked Questions Document here.
- Application questions: Email recruitment@maryfreebed.com.
- Program-specific questions: Email PTorthoresidency@maryfreebed.com.
- General residency/fellowship questions: Email Therapy.ResFel@maryfreebed.com.