Northwestern University Residency in Women's Health Physical Therapy

The mission of Northwestern University's Residency in Women’s Health Physical Therapy is to prepare residents to become specialists in women’s and pelvic health through innovative education and mentorship in evidence-based clinical care, teaching, research and scholarship.

The program is committed to continuous improvement and strategic development through ongoing curriculum evaluation, faculty development and incorporation of emerging evidence and best practices.

By fostering professional growth and leadership, the residency aims to advance the specialty, strengthen the profession and enhance patient care within the community.

Application Process

Northwestern University's Residency in Women's Health Physical Therapy is facilitated by our collaborative clinical partnerships with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Northwestern Medicine. For the 2026-2027 cohort, one resident will be accepted and hosted at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Should we have capacity and qualified candidates, we may select a second resident for the 2026-2027 cohort. The anticipated start date for the residency will be Aug. 27, 2026.

Application Open Date: November 9, 2025

Application Deadline: January 11, 2026

Please submit all required application materials in the RFPTCAS Portal.

Eligibility

Be licensed to practice physical therapy in Illinois or provide evidence that licensure will occur by the start of residency. No residency candidate will be permitted to start the residency without licensure in effect on the starting date.
- For new graduates, taking the April board exam is recommended but not required.
Every applicant must have completed a Level 1 Pelvic Floor course through APTA Academy of Pelvic Health or equivalent prior at the time of application, or show evidence that such experience will be completed prior to the first day of residency (for example, a scheduled course registration).
Meet all host site employment requirements and be approved to start as an employee prior to the first day of residency.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

Current CV or resume
Transcript and diploma from accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program (if you haven't graduated, submit current transcript)
Letter of intent (750 words maximum) addressing:
- What is your prior clinical or educational experience in women's/pelvic health? How have you responded to and incorporated feedback from your instructors?
- What do you hope to accomplish during your residency experience?
- Residency education is intense; what are your strategies for dealing with stressful situations?
- What are your goals for post-residency professional practice in women's and pelvic health?
Three letters of recommendation (minimum one academic, one clinical)

Selection Process

The residency admissions committee reviews applications and interviews top candidates (in person or virtually) within four weeks of the deadline. The program director will notify announce final decisions two to three weeks after interviews.

ABPTRFE has granted Northwestern University Residency in Women's Health Physical Therapy candidacy status. Candidacy status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation. Achieving candidacy status is not an indication that ABPTRFE will grant initial accreditation. Participants who graduate from a program in candidacy status are not deemed to have completed an accredited program.

Briana Giordano PT, DPT

Briana Giordano, PT, DPT, is a graduate of the Arcadia University Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Her clinical training site is at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab.