Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program

The Kennedy Krieger Institute Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program has been accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) since 2016. Our program offers licensed physical therapists the opportunity to obtain post-doctoral, 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. Supported by an affiliation between Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, our physical therapy residents will be full-time trainees of the Kennedy Krieger Institute and will also be considered a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine post-doctoral research fellow. 

The residency program provides broad clinical exposure with 1:1 clinical mentorship in a variety of pediatric practice settings, including early intervention, schools, inpatient rehab, outpatient, multidisciplinary outpatient clinics, and acute care. Through regular skilled mentorship, a robust didactic curriculum, 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. Additionally, our residents are trainees in the Kennedy Krieger Institute Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program, a multi-disciplinary training program aimed at improving health outcomes for people with or who are at risk for developing neurodevelopmental disabilities. By participating in the LEND program and other aspects of the residency program, residents gain valuable perspectives on the lived experiences of our patients and families, advanced advocacy skills, and strengths in providing culturally-sensitive care, all of which will enable them to become leaders in the field of pediatric physical therapy.

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.

Financial Information:

Click here to learn more about residents' costs, salary and benefits.

Curricular Components:

Click here to learn more about the clinical, didactic, teaching and research components of our program.

Application Guidelines:

Click here to read our application guidelines.

Alumni:

Click here to learn more about our residency program alumni.