Advanced Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice, Research and Education Fellowship
The Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences offers a post-professional fellowship program designed for the licensed physical therapist seeking advanced training in orthopaedic physical therapy. One of the overarching goals of the program is improved management of the complex patient.
This 12-month program involves a series of educational classroom experiences and 150 hours of 1:1 mentored clinical practice. A strong emphasis is placed upon clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, practice and theory in physical therapy education and a research experience. Successful applicants are employed by one of several clinical sites associated with the program.
Program Details
How to Apply
Applicants will meet minimum criteria as described below:
- The applicant must hold a license to practice physical therapy in the state where their clinical mentorship will occur at the time of matriculation into the program. Applicants who are licensed in another state or country may apply to the program but may not begin the program until the required license is received.
- The applicant must supply evidence of one year of practice in the area of orthopaedic physical therapy (at least 2000 hours).
- The applicant must have completed additional study in the area of orthopaedic physical therapy as evidenced by: certification as a specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties or completion of an orthopaedic or sports physical therapy residency program.
- The applicant must submit two recommendations for the program from individuals with direct contemporaneous knowledge of the candidate’s clinical knowledge and skills.
- The applicant must provide a transcript of their physical therapy education.
- The student may provide GRE scores (optional).
- Each applicant must submit a nonrefundable application processing fee, payable to Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Science.
To apply, please send curriculum vitae, transcripts, letters of recommendation, $120 processing fee and cover letter. Cover letter should address how their past experience has prepared them for this type of educational program. Interviews will be conducted either by phone or in person.
Send application materials to Carol Courtney, PT, PhD at carol.courtney@northwestern.edu or at the address below:
Carol Courtney
Northwestern University
Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences
645 N. Michigan Ave., Room 1121
Chicago, IL 60611
Application Review Process
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee consisting of Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Science members and representatives from clinical sites. The applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Academic education
- Clinical education and mentoring experiences
- Clinical experience in orthopedic physical therapy
- Research experience
The application deadline is March 1, and applicants will be notified of their admission status by April 15.
Credentialing
We are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Education (ACOMPTE).
Upon successful completion of a credentialed fellowship program, students can apply to be recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT).
Fellowship Program Structure Information
- Program Type: Hybrid
- Program Format: Full-time
- Program Length: 12 months
- Program Tuition: $9,995/year
Contact Us
For more information, please contact program director Carol Courtney at carol.courtney@northwestern.edu, and program coordinator Amy Robinson at amy.robinson@northwestern.edu.
Current Fellows
Lauren Bradley PT, DPT, OCS
Lauren Bradley, PT, DPT, OCS, is a graduate of the Northwestern University Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Her orthopaedic residency was at the Northwestern University and Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency. She is a board certified orthopaedic physical therapy clinical specialist. Bradley’s clinical training site is at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, and her teaching practicum site is at Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences.
Lydia Christianson PT, DPT, OCS
Lydia Christianson, PT, DPT, OCS, is a graduate of the Marquette University Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Her orthopaedic residency was through the Evidence in Motion Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency program. She is a board certified orthopaedic physical therapy clinical specialist. Christianson’s clinical training site and her teaching practicum site are at Marquette University.
Madalyn Cregg, PT, DPT
Madalyn Cregg, PT, DPT is a graduate of the Northwestern University Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Her orthopaedic residency was through the ATI Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency program. She is a board certified orthopaedic physical therapy clinical specialist. Cregg’s clinical training site is at ATI Physical Therapy in Charleston SC, and her teaching practicum site is at Medical University of South Carolina Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Ashley Duer PT, DPT
Ashley Duer, PT, DPT, is a graduate of Rosalind Franklin University Doctor of Physical Therapy program and her orthopaedic residency through was through the Evidence in Motion Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency program. Duer’s clinical training site is at AV Performance Therapy, and her teaching practicum site is at Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences.
Calvin Cook PT, DPT, OCS
Calvin Cook, PT, DPT, OCS, is a graduate of the University of Colorado Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He is a board certified orthopaedic physical therapy clinical specialist. Dr. Cook’s clinical training site is at the University of Colorado Sports Medicine and Performance Center, and his teaching practicum site is at the University of Colorado Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
D.J. Ciancio PT, DPT, OCS
D.J. Ciancio, PT, DPT, OCS, is a graduate of the Northwestern University Doctor of Physical Therapy program. His Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency was at the Mayo Clinic. He is a board certified orthopaedic physical therapy clinical specialist. Ciancio’s clinical training site is at the University of Chicago Medical Center, and his teaching practicum site is at Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences.
Christopher Dela Rosa PT, DPT, OCS
Christopher Dela Rosa, PT, DPT, OCS, is a graduate of the University of the City of Milla physical therapy program and Des Moines University post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He is a board certified orthopaedic physical therapy clinical specialist. Dela Rosa’s clinical training site is at Northwestern Medicine, and his teaching practicum site is at Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences.
Renee Kawicki PT, DPT, OCS
Renee Kawicki, PT, DPT, OCS, is a graduate of the Northwestern University Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Her Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency was at the Creighton University Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency. She is a board certified orthopaedic physical therapy clinical specialist. Kawicki’s clinical training site is at Northwestern Medicine, and her teaching practicum site is at Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences.
Tom Myers PT, DPT, OCS
Tom Myers, PT, DPT, OCS, is a graduate of the Creighton University Doctor of Physical Therapy program and his orthopaedic residency through Evidence in Motion. He is a board certified orthopaedic physical therapy clinical specialist. Dr. Myers’ clinical training site is at Park Nicollet Health Services, and his teaching practicum site is at the University of Minnesota Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Division of Physical Therapy.
Winston von Carlowitz PT, DPT
Winston von Carlowitz, PT, DPT, is a graduate of the Ohio University Doctor of Physical Therapy program. He completed an orthopaedic residency program at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics & UnityPoint Health-Meriter in 2024. Dr. von Carlowitz’s clinical training site is at the Cleveland Clinic, and his teaching practicum site is at Cleveland State University Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Outcomes
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Fellowship in Advanced Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice, Research and Education |
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Cohort #1 |
Cohort #2 |
Cohort #3 |
Cohort #4 |
Cohort #5 |
Cohort #6 |
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2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
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# of fellows admitted |
9 |
11 |
7 |
14 |
10 |
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|
# of fellows who voluntarily withdrew |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
% graduated |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
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