PTSMC Promotes a Culture of Clinical Excellence
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.
PTSMC's Orthopaedic Residency Program has a 100% Graduation Rate.
Residency Program 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.
Program Details
The PTSMC Orthopaedic Residency program is completed in one year while maintaining a clinical care schedule.
We offer two options and encourage the clinician to choose the option that is best for them.
Option 1:
40 hour work week (four 10 hour days) and full-time salary
Option 2:
32 hour work week (four 8 hour days) at 80% of full-time salary
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. Hear from Brianna tell her story by watching the video.
PTSMC Residency is focused on:
Growing and honing clinical delivery skills
Preparing for orthopedic board certification
One on one clinician mentorship
The one year, Orthopaedic Residency program includes the following curriculum:
Please visit the PTCAS 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.
Accepting applications now through August 31, 2025
Residency Program begins January 27th, 2026.
Program Outcomes
PTSMC has a 100% graduation rate from our Orthopaedic Residency Program and 100% pass rate for OCS exam. See what our residency graduates are doing now here.
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 Orthopaedic 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.
Advancements Beyond Orthopaedic Residency
At the completion of the Orthopaedic Residency program, graduates next move on to PTSMC’s Leadership & Management Development Program (LMDP). This program is six sessions over the course of a year that prepares participants for partnership, director role or other administrative leadership positions.
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.
Hear from Emily Pelz, Waterbury PT and Residency Program Graduate on how technology helps improve clinical efficiency. At PTSMC, we're dedicated to finding new ways to improve clinical education and outcomes.