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
Educational Experiences
The program offers many opportunities for residents to expand and share their knowledge. Each resident will:
- Complete 30 hours of clinical practice per week, which includes recurring mentoring from clinical faculty
- Attend weekly common curriculum seminars with other PT residents
- Receive advanced didactic instruction in orthopedic physical therapy, including preparation for the specialist certification exam
- Develop quarterly written narratives and case presentations and receive feedback from faculty and peers
- Produce a scholarly project with guidance from an academic or clinical faculty member
- Participate in teaching Doctor of Physical Therapy students in musculoskeletal classes and labs
Clinical Partners
During the program, residents will gain advanced clinical practice with our partners in Omaha:
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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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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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Hear from an Orthopedic PT Resident
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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