Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Clinical Residency

Advocate Health offers an orthopedic physical therapy clinical residency program designed to train physical therapists in advanced orthopedic physical therapy care in an outpatient setting.

The Advocate Health Orthopedic Physical Therapy Clinical Residency program originally known as Carolinas Rehabilitation Orthopaedic Clinical Residency Program and was part of Atrium Health. It was the first orthopedic physical therapy clinical residency program accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) within the state of North Carolina. We recently changed our name to reflect the parent name “Advocate Health” as Atrium Health has grown and created mutual agreements with other hospital systems in multiple states.

We offer four geographical locations to participate in the residency:

• Greater Charlotte, North Carolina (Atrium Health Physical Therapy)
• Rome, Georgia (Atrium Health Floyd Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation)
• Greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Aurora Health Care)
• Greater Chicago, Illinois (Advocate Health)

We currently have a:

• 100% program completion rate
• 100% OCS exam passing rate
• 100% 3-year retention rate

Program Description

Advocate Health’s Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency is a full-time, one year program that starts on January 2. Residents are employed by Advocate Health and receive a program-adjusted salary that includes a full benefits package. Residents provide patient care 36 hours per week, including four hours per week co-treating with a faculty mentor. Weekly lectures and lab sessions as well as directed learning activities will occupy the residents’ remaining time. All lectures are live streamed with a faculty member present in all four geographical locations.

The curriculum of this residency program provides advanced training in examination, clinical decision-making, medical management and manual therapy-based orthopedic treatment skills. The curriculum combines didactic learning, mentorship experience and individual study and project completion.

Completion of this program will prepare you for:

• Advanced orthopedic physical therapy practice
• Orthopedic manual physical therapy fellowship
• APTA's OCS examination
• Efficient patient management
• Evidence-based practice

Admission Requirements

• Graduated from a CAPTE-accredited PT program
• New graduates with a demonstrated interest in orthopedic physical therapy are eligible to apply. Post-entry level clinical experience in outpatient physical therapy is desirable
• License to practice physical therapy in the state that you are working in: Georgia; Illinois; North Carolina; or Wisconsin. (Must provide proof of licensure as requirement of employment)
• Active member of the APTA and Orthopedic section
• Must meet all eligibility requirements to be employed as a practicing physical therapist within Atrium Health
• CPR certification
• Must demonstrate a commitment to learning

Application Portal

• To simplify the application process for prospective physical therapist (PT) residents as well as to facilitate the admissions process, Advocate Health is participating in the APTA's Residency/Fellowship Physical Therapist Centralized Application Services (RF-PTCAS). RF-PTCAS allows PT residency applicants to use a single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple PT residency/fellowship programs
• Information and instructions on the application process can be found at: Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS) Applicant Login Page
• We are currently accepting applications for the 2027 cohort through February 28, 2026. Qualified applicants will be contacted upon receipt of a completed application for a video interview. Accepted applicants may be required to visit an Advocate Health location to tour the site and meet with the clinic supervisor. Opportunities exist for accepted applicants to start working this summer or fall prior to the start of the residency program in January 2027

Video Interviews

In an effort to assist those applicants with travel or work restrictions, the option of an initial video interview will be made available. All qualified and competitive applicants will be expected to complete either an on-site or a video interview. Interviews will be scheduled by the Residency Admissions Coordinator on a case-by-case basis. Interviews will be set up upon completion of application. Details of the video interview, including instructions on how to access the system, will be sent to the applicant once the interview has been scheduled.

Additional Information

Read our curriculum overview and FAQs to learn more about our program.

Please email Gary Of, program director, for additional questions or information.

Residency and Fellowship Financial Fact Sheet