The Kennedy Krieger Institute Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program is an American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education accredited program. Our program is designed to offer licensed physical therapists the opportunity to obtain post-graduate, pediatric clinical specialty training in a supportive and structured environment. Kennedy Krieger Institute has partnered with The University of Maryland Medical System’s Children’s Hospital and The University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine’s Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences to create this exciting opportunity. 

The residency program provides broad clinical exposure with 1:1 clinical mentorship in a variety of pediatric practice settings. Through mentorship, didactic training, and reflective and evidence-based learning opportunities, residents develop advanced clinical reasoning skills in patient/client management. Residents also participate in numerous teaching activities and a year-long evidence-based project. Throughout the residency program, participants become prepared to sit for the pediatric specialist certification exam.

Mission

To provide post-professional training to licensed physical therapists that will advance their skills in clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, patient/client management, teaching/education, and leadership, enabling them to become active participants in the future growth and development of the field of pediatric physical therapy.

Goals

  1. The residency program will provide a comprehensive curriculum of clinical, didactic, and professional experiences that develop residents' proficiency in integrating knowledge, critical inquiry, clinical skill, and patient/family values required for pediatric specialist practice.
  2. The residency program will provide opportunities through mentorship and direct patient care or specialty observation for residents to develop advance skills as a direct service provider and/or consultant in a variety of practice settings and with a variety of patient populations as described in the current Pediatric Description of Specialty Practice (DSP) and Description of Residency Practice (DRP).
  3. The residency program will maintain ABPTRFE accreditation/re-accreditation status.
  4. The residency program will remain sustainable.
  5. The residency program will provide the surrounding community and beyond with residency trained physical therapists who excel in advanced pediatric clinical practice, and who exemplify a high-degree of compassion, cultural competence, professionalism, accountability, integrity, and ethical conduct.
  6. The residency program will prepare residents to contribute to the profession of physical therapy and the larger healthcare community through evidence based practice, research, teaching, leadership, advocacy, and service.
Kennedy Krieger Institute Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program Outcomes
Since ABPTRFE initial accreditation in 2016:

Graduation Rate: 86%
Pediatric Certification Specialist Exam Pass Rate: 100% of graduates
Percent of Graduates Obtaining Employment in the Field of Pediatric PT: 100% of graduates

Related Materials and Information:

Please see the following attachment for more information about the pediatric physical therapy residency program.

Application Guidelines:

Applicants to the Kennedy Krieger Institute Physical Therapy Residency Program must submit an application through APTA’s centralized application system: http://www.apta.org/RFPTCAS/ApplicantWebsite/Application/GeneralInstructions/.

Additionally, all applicants must submit the following application materials:

1. Three letters of recommendation, all of which must be from physical therapy professionals – Complete and submit as part of the RFPTCAS base application.

2. Proof of PT Licensure or Information about the NPTE – Submit a copy of your PT license as part of the RFPTCAS application documents section. If you have not yet earned your DPT, please upload a Word document indicating when you will sit for the NPTE. Note that all new graduate applicants to our program must sit for and pass the NPTE by April of the year they will begin the residency program.

3. Proof of CPR certification – Submit a copy of your CPR card as part of the RFPTCAS application documents section.

4. Applicant Self-Assessment Form – Click on the hyperlink here to access this form. Complete and submit as part of the RFPTCAS application documents section.

5. Responses to 4 essay questions – Complete and submit as part of the RFPTCAS application questions section.

For questions, please contact the Residency Program Director Elena Bradley, PT, DPT, at BradleyE@KennedyKrieger.org or by phone at (443) 923-9289.