Orthopaedic Residency Program
A commitment to clinical excellence has been part of PTSMC’s culture since our inception.
When joining the PTSMC Orthopaedic Residency program, you can expect a level of excellence that is hard to find anywhere else. Our physical therapy residency program leaders have created a program that combines clinical lab work with didactic instruction, thoughtful discussion, one on one mentorship and leadership development.
PTSMC Orthopaedic Residency Program is one of nine residency programs in New England and one of only three to specialize in orthopaedics. PTSMC achieved accreditation as a residency program through the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) in 2019 and prides itself as a leader in cutting edge clinical education.
Residency Mission: Facilitate the development of advanced practitioners in orthopaedic physical therapy through the development of advanced evidence based orthopaedic physical therapy, life-long learning, and transforming society through leadership.
Residency Program 2021 Class with PTSMC President Alan Balavender and Program Director Danielle Dunn
The PTSMC Difference:
Our goal is to provide residents with the knowledge, skills and clinical capabilities to function at the top of their license and the physical therapy profession.
PTSMC Residency is focused on:
- Growing and honing clinical delivery skills
- Preparing for orthopedic board certification exam
- Preparing for potential future PTSMC clinic ownership or leadership
- One on one clinician mentorship
Program Details:
- 3 hours weekly didactic instruction (45 weeks total)
• 3 week Evidence Based Practice and Statistics Course
• 14 week Lower Extremity Course (Foot/Ankle, Knee, and Hip)
• 14 week Spine Course (Lumbopelvic, Thoracic, Cervical, and TMJ)
• 14 week Upper Extremity Course (Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist/Hand)
- 1 hour monthly case discussion
- 1 hour monthly journal club
- Coursework (300 hours combined lecture/lab & home study)
- External home study courses from the APTA Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy; Current Concepts in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Pharmacology, Clinical Imaging, Frontiers in Orthopedic Science, and Post Operative Management of Orthopedic Surgeries
The one year Orthopaedic Residency program is completed while maintaining a clinical care schedule.
PTSMC offers two options for clinical care:
- 40 hour work week (four 10 hour days) and full-time salary
- 32 hour work week (four 8 hour days) at 80% of full-time salary
The other 8 hour day is devoted to didactic instruction, clinical mentorship, journal club, and case discussion.
Please visit the PTCAS Directory at www.ptcas.org/Directory for detailed information about the program’s admission requirements.
Application Process:
Applicants will be evaluated on the following:
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Personal Essay Statement
- Interview with faculty
- Three Professional letters of recommendation from faculty and/or work managers
- Relationship of recommenders to you must be in a supervisory capacity
***Applicants must have a valid PT license prior to the start date of the residency program***
Learn more about the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE), including admissions, here.
Advancements beyond Orthopaedic Residency:
Partnership: PTSMC has a unique partnership model. Students who successfully complete the Residency program and the Leadership Development Management Program have the opportunity to pursue clinic ownership within the organization.
LMDP: At the completion of the Orthopaedic Residency program, graduates next move on to PTSMC’s Leadership & Management Development Program. This program is 6 sessions over the course of a year that prepares participants for partnership, director role or other administrative leadership positions.
Meet Program Director Danielle Dunn
Dr. Danielle Dunn, PT, DPT, MTC, OCS, CMTPT graduated from The College of St. Catherine with B.S. degrees in Biology and Psychology in 2009. She graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2011 from St. Catherine University. Danielle has devoted her entire career as a physical therapist to outpatient orthopedics and is always striving to gain new knowledge, give back to her profession and promote the growth of new clinicians. She advanced her manual therapy and clinical skills through a year-long program through Evidence in Motion, becoming a Certified Manual Therapist in 2014, and has been a Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist since 2015. In addition, she has been a clinical instructor for students for many years for clinical rotations. Danielle has been actively mentoring new graduates and teaching courses in PTSMC’s Development of Clinical Success Program since 2015. Since 2018, she has been PTSMC’s Clinical Excellence & Mentorship Coordinator, a role in which she mentors our new clinicians, develops curriculum and helps to coordinate external courses as well. In addition, she played an integral role in getting the PTSMC Orthopedic Residency developed and accredited. Since its inception, Danielle has been a mentor in the residency program and faculty member. She is a clinician in the Wallingford clinic and is certified in trigger point dry needling & LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s Disease. In addition, she has clinical interests in pelvic health, orthopedic manual therapy and post-surgical rehabilitation. Outside of the office, you can find Danielle spending time with her three children and husband exploring new places, hiking and being outside.
