Women's Health Physical Therapy Residency

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Mission

The mission of the M Health Fairview Women’s Health Physical Therapy Residency is to improve the health of the communities we serve by providing advanced clinical training, professional development, and research opportunities in the specialty area of women’s health. Program graduates will gain the knowledge and skills to provide exceptional patient care, learn to integrate evidence with clinical practice, and serve as an advocate for pelvic health physical therapy to consumers and colleagues through education and community service.

History

• First Women's Health Physical Therapy Residency in the state of MN.
• 10 Graduates (as of 2025)
• 100% resident completion rate.
• 100% pass rates on Board Examination for Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy. 

Accreditation:

Accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Fellowship and Residency Education through September 2026.

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Resident Spotlight:

• Paige Hawkins
• Kylie Witte
• Published Research posted with permission by Joshua Guggenheimer, St. Catherine University,
  • The Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in NCAA Division III Female Collegiate Athletes
  • NCAA Division III Female Collegiate Athletes' Views and Experiences with Urinary Incontinence: A Qualitative Study

Program Expectations:

1. Provide each resident with the advanced education and skills necessary to allow practice as a primary care specialist in women’s health physical therapy.
2. Educate each resident in the advanced skills necessary for the analysis of relevant pelvic health scientific literature and the clinical application of evidence.
3. Educate each resident to contribute to the pelvic PT knowledge base through a clinical research opportunity.
4. Promote advocacy of women’s health PT to consumers and colleagues in the communities we serve through education and community service.
5. Prepare each resident to obtain ABPTS board certification as a clinical specialist in women’s health physical therapy.

Curriculum Overview

• Provide direct patient care in an orthopedic setting with emphasis in pelvic health.
• 1:1 clinical mentoring including shadowing and/or co-treating with wide range of content experts in women’s health Physical Therapy including: post-mastectomy/lymphedema, bone disorders, female athlete triad, and pre/post-partum care. 
• Didactic clinical education modules covering the full spectrum of content areas found within a women’s health specialty and orthopedic specialty practice in physical therapy as outlined in the ABPTS Women’s Health physical therapy description of specialty practice.
• Skill development in pelvic health clinical practice areas including: examination, treatment interventions, and clinical decision making for male and female pelvic dysfunctions. 
• Dedicated time and supportive resources for research and community service projects. 
• Specialty clinician (MD, PT, OT, DC) shadowing and clinical practice/surgery observation. 
• Weekly mentoring meetings for clinical case discussion and two-way performance feedback. 
• Participation in monthly Grand Rounds conferences, and presentation of one Grand Rounds talk during the residency. 
• Participation in evidence-based journal club meetings.  Literature discussion and article presentation at each meeting. 
• Opportunity for participation in specialty pelvic health programs including Pelvic Multidisciplinary Group, Distance Pelvic Journal Club, and M Health Fairview Pelvic Physical Therapy Group. 
• Preparation for taking the WCS Board exam. 
• Opportunity to attend internal and external CE offerings hosted by M Health-Fairview. 

Length of Residency

53 week appointment beginning in late August.

Salary and Benefits

Each Resident is paid at a competitive rate and are eligible for full health, dental, liability, disability insurance benefit and paid time off as per Fairview Health Service employee standard.

Tuition

There is no tuition or fee involved with the residency. 

ABPTRFE Program Financial Fact Sheet 

Required Qualifications:

• Applicants must hold Minnesota Physical Therapy license.
• BLS for Provider (Endorsed by American Heart Association OR American Red Cross).
• Completion of Residency Interview process.
• Level One Pelvic Floor course or equivalent is required.
• APTA membership (required by start date) as well as the Academy of Pelvic Health.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy.
• Obstetrics course preferred.
• New graduates sit for board examination in April.