Physical Therapy Geriatric Residency

Advance Your Practice in Geriatric PT 

Gain clinical practice and mentoring by applying to the Creighton University Physical Therapy Residency Program, which specializes in geriatric physical therapy. This Omaha-based clinical residency experience includes teaching, as well as opportunities for research and publication. Program graduates will also be eligible to take the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Geriatrics Specialist Certification Examination. 

Geriatric 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 
  • No additional tuition is required 
  • Residents participate in clinical practice at CHI CUMC-Bergan Mercy in Acute Care and Outpatient, Old Mill Rehabilitation in Skilled Nursing and Key PT in Home Health.
  • Professional licensure in the state of Nebraska is required 

Clinical Partners

Old Mill Rehabilitation 

Our partnership with Old Mill Rehabilitation provides residents with experience and mentorship in skilled nursing and long-term care.

CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center – Bergan Mercy

By partnering with CHI CUMC-Bergan Mercy, we’re able to give residents additional mentoring in acute care and outpatient services related to geriatric physical therapy.

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Mission Statement

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

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Program Outcomes

At the conclusion of the program, residents should be able to demonstrate the following:

  • 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 geriatric practice
  • Proficient clinical reasoning skills necessary for advanced clinical practice
  • Effective teaching and communication skills related to patients, peers and students
  • Additionally, residents will be expected to successfully complete two live patient practical examinations and one written examination. They will also have the knowledge and skills to complete the ABPTS Geriatrics Specialist Certification Examination.

First-Time Pass Rate on Geriatric Specialist Certification Examination

2024 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-residency graduate: 67% 
  • Residency graduate: 88% 
  • Creighton residency graduate: 100% 

2023 Exam Testing Year*

  • Non-residency graduate: 88% 
  • Residency graduate: 100% 
  • Creighton residency graduate: 100% 

2022 Exam Testing Year*

  • Non-residency graduate: 78% 
  • Residency graduate: 93% 
  • Creighton residency graduate: N/A** 

2021 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-residency graduate: 90% 
  • Residency graduate: 100% 
  • Creighton residency graduate: 100% 

2020 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-residency graduate: 81% 
  • Residency graduate: 96% 
  • Creighton residency graduate: 100% 

2019 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-residency graduate: 94% 
  • Residency graduate: 100% 
  • Creighton residency graduate: 100% 

2018 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-Residency Graduate: 94%
  • Residency Graduate: 95%
  • Creighton Residency Graduate: 100%

2017 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-residency graduate: 86% 
  • Residency graduate: 95% 
  • Creighton residency graduate: 100% 

2016 Exam Testing Year

  • Non-residency graduate: 80% 
  • Residency graduate: 94% 
  • Creighton residency graduate: 100% 

*For residents who have sat for the Board Certification Examination 
**No Creighton residents due to COVID-19 pandemic 

5-Year Geriatric Residency Retention and Completion Rates

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: 1/2
  • Completion rate: 1/1

2023

  • Retention rate: 2/2
  • Completion rate: 2/2

2022

  • Retention rate: 1/2
  • Completion rate: 1/1

2021*

  • Retention rate: 0/0
  • Completion rate: 0/0

2020

  • Retention rate: 2/2
  • Completion rate: 2/2

2019 

  • Retention rate: 2/2
  • Completion rate: 2/2

*No residents in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic

Sample Schedules

Residents provide patient care at Hillcrest Rehab Services all day on Mondays and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, they will provide patient care at Hillcrest Rehab Services in the morning and be at Creighton University in the afternoons. On Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, they will provide patient care at CHI CUMC-Bergan Mercy for a half day.

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Hear from a Geriatric 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 Services Faculty

  • Sarah Blomenkamp, PT, DPT, Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
  • Raegan Muller, PT, Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
  • Grace Knott, PT, Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
  • Morgan Nolte, PT, DPT, Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
  • Samantha Pfaller, PT, DPT, Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
  • Danielle Ward-Baughman, PT, DPT, Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist

Contact Information

Rashelle Hoffman, PT, DPT, PhD 
Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
Assistant Professor
Geriatric Residency Program Director
Department of Physical Therapy 

2500 California Plaza 
Omaha, NE 68178 

402.280.5691 

ABPTRFE-Accredited Program

The Creighton University-Hillcrest Geriatric 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 geriatrics.  

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