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Hands-On Local Training
The Hendrick Health and West Texas Rehabilitation Center Orthopaedic Residency (HHWTRCOR) Program is non-degree program located in Abilene, Texas. HHWTRCOR was created as a collaboration between three independent organizations,Hendrick Medical Center(HMC),West Texas Rehabilitation Center(WTRC) andHardin-Simmons Doctor of Physical Therapy Program(IM体育试玩). All three organizations pride themselves on hard work, measurable outcomes, and Christian ministry. Our program faculty offer extensive diversity in their physical therapy backgrounds, which is a strength of this residency program.
The common goal of HHWTRCOR is to provide a rigorous curriculum which develops highly-skilled, compassionate orthopaedic physical therapists who provide excellent orthopaedic care grounded in evidence-supported practice and service to the community.
HHWTRCOR offers a varied orthopaedic comprehensive advanced learning experience with 14 highly accomplished, certified and experienced mentors across three program sites. Residents experience a wide variety of orthopaedic diagnoses and patient populations encompassing all ages while developing advanced evaluation, differential diagnosis, varied manual therapy, dry needling, soft tissue mobilization, and other therapy techniques. Through the program’s academic experience, the resident will engage in teaching and research opportunities while mentoring DPT students. The program’s clinical experience offers extensive one-on-one mentorship, challenges in problem solving and critical thinking, and practice in evidence-supported skills while becoming a proficient, autonomous practitioner.
Our mentoring faculty hold an array of advanced credentials of teaching including FAAOMPT, OCS, ScD, C-DN, COMT, CHT, WHS, TPI, PRPC, MEd, CSCS, and K-Vest.
Geographically, Abilene is located about 2 hours west of the DFW area. Abilene is home to Dyess Air Force Base and three private universities, offering a wide range of experiences to the orthopaedic clinician.
Apply Now
The Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE or Board) met on Jan. 18, 2023, and grantedinitial accreditationfor Hendrick Health and West Texas Rehabilitation Center Orthopaedic Residency for a period of 5 years through Jan. 2028. Now, you canapply onlinefor the residency.
Applications open for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 start.
- Fall 2026 Deadline:June 15, 2026
- Spring 2027 Deadline: December 15, 2026
Majors
Non-Degree Residency
Why do your physical therapy orthopaedic residency in Abilene?
Why do your physical therapy orthopaedic residency in Abilene?
Mission
The program will provide an evidence-supported, up-to-date curriculum to develop highly-skilled, compassionate orthopaedic physical therapists who provide excellent orthopaedic care grounded in evidence-supported practice and service to the community we serve.
Core Values
*Excellence *Integrity *Compassion *Evidence-Supported Practice *Service
Courses
The resident position will be paid by Hendrick Medical Center and West Texas Rehabilitation Center (WTRC) at a competitive new graduate rate. The intern will work 8 hours per week teaching at Hardin-Simmons University as the resident is going through residency training of 32 hours/week at Hendrick Medical Center and West Texas Rehabilitation Center (WTRC). This intern/resident position will assist in teaching first and second year IM体育试玩 DPT students and providing care at the IM体育试玩 pro-bono PT clinic.
The residency program is a one-year commitment to Hendrick Medical Center, West Texas Rehabilitation Center (WTRC), and Hardin-Simmons University with completion after 12 months in the program.
Essential Duties/Basic Responsibilities
Assist as Teaching Assistant in Kinesiology, Anatomy, Musculoskeletal I and II, and provide pro-bono services in the IM体育试玩 PT Campus Clinic.
How long is the residency?12 months
When does the program start?Initially began in February 2022. Annually begins in mid-February or mid-August.
HHWTRCOR Program Goals
The goals of the HHWTRCOR residency program for the resident include the following:
- The residency supports the missions of all facilities involved in the program.
- The program maintains ABPTRFE accreditation.
- Provide residents with high quality, consistent experiences at all clinic locations.
- The program is sustainable.
- Residents demonstrate proficiency in knowledge and skill required for specialist orthopaedic clinical practice.
- In 3 years following graduation, graduates demonstrate continued growth in the profession.
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Requirements
HHWTRCOR Prerequisites
- Physical Therapy degree from an accredited Physical Therapy program
- Current PT licensure in the state of Texas
- Have no felony convictions or other legal issues that would prevent the candidate from practicing PT, and in good standing with the Texas PT Board
- Recommendation letters (1 from faculty, 1 from CI or professional colleague)
- One-page document explaining why they are a good candidate for this program
- Resume with cover letter/Curriculum Vitae
- Current CPR/BLS certification
- Member of APTA, ortho section and TPTA
- Transcripts
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Outcomes
Goals of the Resident within a year of program completion
- Successful completion of the APTA Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) Exam.
Goals of the Resident over the course of the program curriculum
- Successful completion of IAOM-US/ODNS dry needling courses and pursue certification (if applicable).
- Complete program hours- 1:1 mentorship, unsupervised, academic, etc.
- Serve as a research project mentor for current IM体育试玩 physical therapy students.
- Teach a 1 hour CCU course at IM体育试玩’s Lunch and Learn Series and provide an in-service at both facilities.
- Serve as a teaching and lab assistant for PT students in the IM体育试玩 DPT curriculum during spring, fall and summer semesters.
- Teach a minimum of 2 learning enhancements for IM体育试玩 PT students.
- Provide a minimum of 10 community service hours.
- Provide Pro-Bono physical therapy care through IM体育试玩 Campus Clinic at a minimum of 10 times.
- Complete the weekly didactic work- on-site and self-study as outlined by the Resident Benchmark Table.
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Treatment Methods
- GrastonⓇ, SFMA, Functional Movement Screen (FMSTM), ASTYMⓇ, ZeroGⓇ, AlterGⓇAntigravity Treadmill, Blood Flow Restriction (BFR), KinesioⓇTape provider, K-vest, Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), Myofascial DecompressionTM, TRXⓇprovider.
- Manual therapies: Institute of Physical Art (IPAⓇ), International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM-US), Cyriax, Maitland, McKenzie, American Academy of Manipulative Therapy: Spinal Manipulation Institute, Manual Therapy Institute, Kaltenborn, Mulligan, Paris.
- VasyliⓇorthotics
- Dry needling through Myopain, American Academy of Manipulative Therapy: Dry needling Institute, Kinetacore, ODNS,
- Diagnostic Ultrasound-DUS
- Pelvic Health
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Faculty
Program Director and Mentor – Hendrick Health
Miranda Harvey, PT, DPT, OCS, CFMT, FFMT, FAAOMPT- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Orthopedic Certified Specialist
- Certified Functional Manual Therapist
- Fellow of Functional Manual Therapy
- Fellow of American Academy Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapist
- APTA APH CAPP-Pelvic
WTRC Clinical Site Coordinator and MentorBrad Hicks, PT, Doctor of Physical Therapy
- WTRC Clinical Site Coordinator and Mentor- West Texas Rehabilitation Center
- DPT, Hardin Simmons University, 2002
- Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist
- Myofascial Decompression Certified
- Titleist Performance Institute Certified
- Certified Kvest level 1, 2, 3
- Provider for TRX, Graston M1 techniques, Kinesiotape, Zero G gait and balance system, blood flow restriction, and manual therapy
Program Coordinator and MentorMarsha Rutland, PT, MEd, ScD, OCS, COMT, C-DN
- Program Coordinator and Mentor Hardin-Simmons University
- BS in PT (Southwestern UT Health Science Center-Dallas) 1979
- MEd – Hardin-Simmons University, 2002
- ScD: Doctor of Science in Orthopedics -Texas Tech University Health Science Center
- Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS)- ABPTS (2003-2023)
- Certified Dry Needler (IAOM)
- COMT: Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist
- CSCS: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
- Provider for TRX, Graston, Kinesiotape
Academic Site Coordinator and MentorJoe McCormick, PT, ScD, DPT, COMT, OCS
- Academic Site Coordinator and Mentor-Hardin-Simmons University
- DPT, Hardin-Simmons University
- ScD: Doctor of Science in Orthopedics -Texas Tech University Health Science Center
- Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS)- ABPTS
- COMT: Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist
- Certified Dry Needler, American Academy of Manipulation Therapy Dry Needling Institute
Other Clinical Mentors
- Justin Sazon, PT, DPT, OCS
- Brock Barger, PT, DPT, OCS
- Erin Bailey, OT, CHT
- Melissa Lesley, PT, MPT, WCS
- Caleb TiemeyerPT, DPT, OCS
- Meghan Lynette Cordes, PT, MPT, WCS, CLT, ATRIC
- Brady Holcomb, PT, DPT, OCS
- Leigh Ann Greer, PT, DPT, C-DN
- Justin Tammany, PT, ScD, DPT, OCS
- Kelsey Dow, PT, DPT, OCS
- Kristin Emerson, OT, CHT
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Testimonials
“This program and the various opportunities afforded to me have laid the foundation for my clinical and professional growth. I have developed clinical reasoning, mental agility, and metacognition that will continue to grow with my career due to this foundation. Most importantly this program has developed my humility as a clinician.” – Christian M.
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Accreditation
Our pass rate for residency is 100% for residents who have completed the program.
