Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency

Advance Your Practice in Orthopedic Physical Therapy

The orthopedic physical therapy residency program at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, offers a fast-paced, high-energy, one-year clinical immersion experience. It’s designed to help you quickly progress from a new practitioner to a clinician with the confidence to thrive in a challenging clinical environment. You’ll receive quality mentorship and didactic instruction from experienced faculty to help deepen your expertise. Upon graduation, you’ll become eligible to take the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Orthopaedic Specialist Certification Examination. 

Orthopedic Residency Details

  • The 12-month residency begins August 1 and ends July 31 
  • Program residents are salaried Creighton employees with benefits 
  • Residents complete 28–30 hours per week of clinical practice and 12–14 hours of teaching, labs, didactic training and a common curriculum with other PT and OT residency programs 
  • Professional licensure in the state of Nebraska is required 

Clinical Partners

During the program, residents will gain advanced clinical practice with our partners in Omaha: 

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Bergan Mercy building exterior

Mission Statement

The program is committed to developing specialization in advanced orthopedic clinical practice, teaching and advocacy by providing focused, ongoing mentorship in preparation of residents who will become leaders in orthopedic physical therapy practice. 

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PT residents in classroom

Program Outcomes

  • Accurate performance of all aspects of the patient management model (examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and outcomes) in a variety of settings related to advanced orthopedic practice 
  • Proficient clinical reasoning skills necessary for advanced clinical practice 
  • Effective teaching and communication skills related to patients, peers and students 
  • Professional behaviors and leadership, such as advocacy, while serving the community   and profession at the local and national level 
  • Necessary knowledge and skills to complete the ABPTS Orthopaedic Specialist Certification Examination 

Additionally, residents will successfully complete two live patient practical examinations, one written examination and one technique exam. They will also be expected to identify and discuss foundational, behavioral and clinical sciences and critical inquiry principles related to advanced clinical practice. 

First-Time Pass Rate on Abpts Specialty Exam in Orthopedics

2024 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-resident: 85% 
  • Residency graduates: 95% 
  • Creighton residency graduates: 100% 

2023 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-resident: 86% 
  • Residency graduates: 93% 
  • Creighton residency graduates: 100% 

2022 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-resident: 71% 
  • Residency graduates: 85% 
  • Creighton residency graduates: 100% 

2021 Exam Testing Year*

  • Non-resident: 78% 
  • Residency graduates: 91% 
  • Creighton residency graduates: N/A 

2020 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-resident: 67% 
  • Residency graduates: 86% 
  • Creighton residency graduates: 100% 

2019 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-resident: 79% 
  • Residency graduates: 87% 
  • Creighton residency graduates: 100% 

2018 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-resident: 79% 
  • Residency graduates: 90% 
  • Creighton residency graduates: 100% 

2017 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-resident: 74% 
  • Residency graduates: 87% 
  • Creighton residency graduates: 100% 

2016 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-resident: 72% 
  • Residency graduates: 87% 
  • Creighton residency graduates: 100% 

2015 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-resident: 71% 
  • Residency graduates: 86% 
  • Creighton residency graduates: 100% 

*2020-2021 residents deferred due to COVID-19 pandemic 

Residency Completion Rate

Retention rate indicates how many residents were retained for the entire residency program out of the number of available positions. Completion rate indicates how many residents successfully completed all program requirements.  

2024  

  • Retention rate: 3/3 
  • Completion rate: 3/3 

2023

  • Retention rate: 3/3 
  • Completion rate: 3/3 

2022

  • Retention rate: 3/3 
  • Completion rate: 3/3 

2021

  • N/A* 

2020

  • Retention rate: 3/3 
  • Completion rate: 3/3 

2019

  • Retention rate: 3/3 
  • Completion rate: 3/3 

2018

  • Retention rate: 3/3 
  • Completion rate: 3/3 

2017

  • Retention rate: 3/3 
  • Completion rate: 3/3  

2016

  • Retention rate: 3/3 
  • Completion rate: 3/3 

*2020-2021 residents deferred due to COVID-19 pandemic 

Sample Schedule

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Sample Orthopedic Residency Schedule

Hear from an Orthopedic PT Resident

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Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Inspired by the Catholic and Jesuit tradition, our community believes that each human being is a profound gift from God, deserving of both dignity and opportunity. We thus seek to acknowledge and celebrate diversity at Creighton—building the spaces and relationships required for every person to thrive. All physical therapist residents are treated with the utmost respect and dignity.

Learn more about justice, diversity, equity and inclusion at Creighton

 

 

 

Contributive Faculty

  • Sarah Long, PT, DPT, Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
  • Robert Willmes, PT, DPT, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

Contact Information

Nick Weber, PT, DPT
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Fellow of American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
Orthopedic Resident Program Director
402.280.5299
 

ABPTRFE-Accredited Program

The Creighton University Orthopedic Residency Program is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists in orthopedics. 

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abptrfe accredite dprogram