The mission of the UW Health Neurologic Physical Therapist Residency is to provide evidence-based, post-professional education and clinical training to develop neurologic physical therapists who are specialists and leaders in neurologic physical therapy in the areas of clinical practice, research, education, and community service. The program fosters an environment of continuous improvement and strategic initiatives to ensure a strong neurologic residency. This Residency focuses on case-based learning, neurologic-specific treatment, evaluation, and decision-making that is patient-centered and evidence-based. The residents spend 18 weeks in each of the following settings:

• UW Health University Hospital: Acute Neuro/ICU;
• UW Health Rehabilitation Hospital: Inpatient Neuro Rehab; and,
• UW Health Rehabilitation Clinic: Outpatient Neuro/Vestibular.

The residency mentors meet monthly to discuss the current residents’ progress, challenges, and opportunities for development. Additionally, they discuss learning opportunities amongst the mentors and attend lectures. The resident communicates with the patients and families regarding the presence of a mentor during certain selected treatment sessions to help enhance their learning as well as gain real-time feedback. The resident is exposed to and provides information to patients and families about the various support groups and peer mentoring programs in the area. Additionally, they take part in various diagnosis specific neuro-based clinics in the area such as ALS, pediatrics, CP, amputee, etc.

The UW Health’s Physical Therapy Neurological Residency Program accepted their first Neurological PT resident in July 2023, and they completed their rotation in June 2024. The program achieved ABPTRFE (American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education) accreditation through January 2029 and allowed UW Health Rehabilitation Hospital to continue to accept residents. The program is improving the UW Health Rehabilitation Hospital patient outcomes and quality of care through the collaboration of care between the clinicians, mentors, patients, families, and community partners.