Sports Physical Therapy Residency

Fairview Health Services offers an accredited one-year, August 1 to July 31, Sports Physical Therapy Residency to physical therapists seeking to advance their training in sports medicine. Up to two physical therapists are accepted annually for the program. Fairview Sports Physical Therapy Residency, formerly named Minnesota Sports Medicine Sports Physical Therapy Residency, is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists in sports medicine.

About the residency 

Residents work side-by-side sports medicine and orthopedic physicians, sports physical therapists and athletic trainers who bring advanced training in sports medicine. Coursework includes a mix of direct clinical care, physician and surgery observation, research, athletic training observation, and a variety of educational activities that include one-to-one mentoring sessions and weekly sports medicine grand rounds.

Program graduates will:

  • Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to administrate a community-focused physical therapy practice that serves high school, collegiate, professional and recreational athletes
  • Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to provide advanced sports physical therapy care for athletes, including the study of the pathology and biomechanics of athletic injuries and the physical and psychological manifestations of sports injuries and conditions
  • Develop professional and interpersonal patient-care skills necessary to an outpatient and on-field sports medicine setting
  • Participate as a member of a sports medicine team that includes primary care sports medicine specialists, orthopedic surgeons and certified athletic trainers
  • Develop skills to design, implement and complete a community-focused sports medicine research study and publish the results
  • Enhance their preparation for certification as a specialist in sports physical therapy

Curriculum overview 

  • Provide patient care in an outpatient integrated orthopedic sports clinic.
  • Physical therapy content expert mentoring. Residents shadow and/or co-treat with practicing physical therapists at Institute for Athletic Medicine (IAM) clinics.
  • Weekly on-field/training room coverage and Community event coverage through the Minnesota State High School League.
  • Sports medicine physicians and surgical observation.
  • Shadow special programs offered at the IAM that focus on advanced evaluation and treatment of athletes, including runners, throwers, golfers, cyclists and dancers.
  • Attend weekly Sports Medicine Grand Rounds and basic science lectures, as well as journal clubs, Twin Cities Sports Medicine Conference and Current Concepts in Sports Medicine Conference
  • Residents teach one or more “Next Step” training program sessions. Next Step is a post-rehabilitation training program designed to help patients “bridge the gap” from patient to athlete
  • Weekly feedback sessions are scheduled and include case studies and discussion about patient evaluation, treatment and care plans initiated by the Resident.
  • Residents assist in teaching sports medicine classes focusing on specific topics to DPT students at a local university as well as to incoming primary care sports medicine physician fellows.
  • Complete a research project and community service project

Residency Salary and Benefits

Salary for the Residency is $39,500 per year. Health, dental, disability and malpractice insurance are included as are two weeks of vacation.

Applying to our Program

The Fairview Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program participates in the APTA American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education centralized application process called RF-PTCAS.

About the Residency Faculty

Residency Director and physical therapist Peter Ames, PT, PhD, SCS brings more than twenty years experience to the program. His wide-ranging background includes working in private practice, serving as a traveling physical therapist, and working in the United Kingdom as a Senior 1 physiotherapist. Ames completed his doctorate in orthopedic and sports physical therapy at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah. He is a published author in JOSPT and has presented both locally and nationally. Ames sees patients at the Institute for Athletic Medicine in Eden Prairie and Minneapolis, Minnesota in addition to his residency responsibilities.

More than ten residency faculty bring advanced training and clinical skills in a full spectrum of sports-related injuries. Residents work with faculty throughout the year at rehabilitation clinics located in the Eden Prairie and Minneapolis.

Core Faculty

Adjunct faculty

Questions about the Residency may be directed to Peter Ames, Residency Director, at 952-944-5314 or by email at pames1@fairview.org.