Collaborative orthopedic PT residency program earns five-year accreditation

An orthopedic physical therapy residency program involving three Abilene institutions has obtained a five-year accreditation from the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE).

The Hendrick Health and West Texas Rehabilitation Center Orthopedic Residency (HHWTRCOR) program, offered in collaboration with the Hardin-Simmons University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, is one of 11 in the state accredited by ABPTRFE – and the only one west of the Interstate 35 corridor.

The HHWTRCOR program started in fall 2021 with “candidacy” accreditation status. The full five-year accreditation was granted in January following an ABPTRFE review of the program that included a site visit in September.

HHWTRCOR was developed to post-professionally train and educate physical therapists in the orthopedic field of the profession. The rigorous program curriculum is designed to develop highly skilled, compassionate orthopedic physical therapists who provide excellent care grounded in evidence-supported practice and service to the community.

Two residents are accepted annually into the 12-month program. They are employed for six months at Hendrick and another six months at West Texas Rehabilitation Center. In addition, the residents teach and serve as lab assistants in the HSU Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

The orthopedic physical therapy residency program is a boon to local efforts to recruit and retain healthcare professionals in Abilene and to develop future teachers and leaders within the profession.