Neurological Physical Therapy Residency Program

Our 12-month residency offers an intensive, immersive experience in neurological physical therapy within a learning health system care model. Residents gain hands-on clinical expertise equally across acute care, inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient settings, ensuring a well-rounded foundation in neurological patient management.

We emphasize the integration of evidence-based practice, knowledge translation and professional advancement, preparing residents to become leaders in the field.

Program Structure

Clinical Experience: Residents spent approximately 90% of their time in direct patient care, supported by structured one-on-one mentoring.

Educational Components:

The remaining time is dedicated to:

• Didactic training
• Education seminars
• Knowledge translation projects
• Physician specialist shadowing

This comprehensive approach equips residents to become advanced practitioners, interdisciplinary leaders and successfully sit for the Neurological Clinical Specialist (NCS) exam administered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

Accreditation

Our program is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) as a post-professional residency in neurological physical therapy.

Program Details

• Length: 12 months
• Start date: The Monday after Thanksgiving
• Clinical hours: 36 hours per week
• Weekly mentoring: 4 hours per week during clinical hours
• Didactic and specialty observation: 4 hours per week
• Onboarding: Includes hospital and department-specific orientation, with a gradual ramp-up to full caseloads in each setting

Temporary employment prior to the start of the residency is offered.

Tuition and Reimbursement

Residents are responsible for an upfront tuition cost for the Institute of Knowledge Translation Advanced Neurological PT Practice Curriculum.

Full reimbursement is provided after 30 days in the program.

The program will:

1. Support the mission and core values of AdventHealth by fostering excellence in clinical decision-making and neurologic patient care.
2. Prepare residency graduates to contribute to the profession of physical therapy, and the larger health care community through leadership, evidence-based practice, education, and service.
3. Promote professionalism globally in the field of neurologic physical therapy and locally within AdventHealth by incorporating the APTA’s seven core values of professionalism into the curriculum and clinical experiences.
4. Prepare residency graduates to pursue ABPTS certification as clinical specialists in neurologic physical therapy.
5. Prepare residents to be highly skilled critical thinkers who embrace lifelong learning and are grounded in the principles of evidence-based learning relating to clinical guidelines and neurological physical therapy.
6. Maintain program financial stability through AdventHealth Sports Med and Rehab to continually employ three residents for one year.

Thirty-six hours a week will be dedicated to patient care, including one-on-one mentoring.

Acute Care (4 months)

AdventHealth Orlando:

• AdventHealth Orlando, which includes nine hospital locations, is the only health care network nationally recognized for brain and spine care in Central Florida
• AdventHealth for Children has been recognized as the #1 program in Florida for pediatric neurology and neurosurgery by Newsweek
• Dedicated neurosurgical, neuro-medical and neuro-intensive care units
• Recognized by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center
• The only normal pressure hydrocephalus program in Central Florida and one of only 10 in the United States

Inpatient Rehab Facility (4 months)

AdventHealth Rehabilitation at Winter Park:

• Active research project: High intensity gait training walking outcomes with patients with nontraumatic brain injury
• CARF accredited Stroke Program and Brain Injury Program
• Seeking CARF accreditation for Spinal Cord Injury Program
• 60-bed unit with treatment technology that includes virtual and augmented reality, four unique body weight support harness systems, graded assistance exoskeleton, wireless FES systems and multichannel iFES ergometers.
• Ranked as one of America's Best Physical Rehab Centers by Newsweek in 2024 and 2025

Outpatient (4 months)

AdventHealth Sports Med & Rehab Orlando – Innovation Tower:

• 3D and marker less biomechanics motion lab including split belt treadmill and force plates
• Designated Muscular Dystrophy Association Care Center
• Huntington’s Disease Center of Excellence
• Multidisciplinary site with physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and wellness
• Multidisciplinary clinic days available with neurology physicians
• Multiple Sclerosis Partners in Care Designation

Our program offers specialty observation of various healthcare professionals in different settings, providing a unique advantage of working within a large hospital system. This experience not only enhances your interdisciplinary care skills but also broadens your clinical expertise for neurological disease management.

• ICU Rounding
• Neuro Immunology
• EMG/NCS
• PM&R Rounding
• Neuropsychology
• Orthotics/Prosthetics
• Memory Care
• Movement Disorder
• Neuromuscular
• Neurosurgery – Deep Brain Stimulation & MRI Guided Ultrasound
• ENT
• Motion Lab
• Multidisciplinary Clinic Days*
  • Huntington’s
  • Parkinson’s
  • Tremor
  • Lewy Body Dementia
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

*Multidisciplinary Clinic Days (MDCs) are care clinics set up in the outpatient setting designed to provide comprehensive care from a variety of healthcare providers. MDCs entail a visit with a specialty neurologist followed by visits by PT, OT, SLP, Respiratory, Social Work, Dietitian, and Assisted Technology professionals. The goal of MDCs is to streamline and connect outpatient services to better outcomes for patients.

Residents will receive didactic training on numerous topics related to neurologic physical therapy, drawn from the Description of Specialty Practice for the Neurological Clinical Specialist. The didactic portion of the residency program includes online webinars hosted by the Institute of Knowledge Translation. Additionally, residents will be required to lead in-services, participate weekly mentoring session and partake in a knowledge translation project. 

Laura Patrick, DPT
Program Director
Laura.Patrick@adventhealth.com

Laura Patrick is a board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic and geriatric physical therapy working at AdventHealth Sports Med & Rehab. She has been working with patients with neurological conditions at AdventHealth since 2010. Dr. Patrick serves as the Senior Manager of Specialty Programs, overseeing clinical quality and program growth for Neuro, Lymphedema, Oncology, Pelvic Health, and Pediatrics and as the Director of the Neurological and Women’s Health Residency Program. She has presented at state and national levels on practice of neurological physical therapy as well as on the implementation of the core set of outcomes and high-intensity gait training within the outpatient setting. Dr. Patrick most recently served as a knowledge translation mentor for the Academy of Neurological Physical Therapy's knowledge translation summit. Her professional roles include clinical practice, mentoring, quality improvement, pathway development, multidisciplinary clinical care and leadership.

Kyle Reedy, PT, DPT
Program Coordinator
Kyle.Reedy@adventhealth.com

Kyle Reedy is a board-certified specialist in neurologic physical therapy working at AdventHealth Sports Med & Rehab. He has worked with patients in the outpatient neurological setting since graduating from the University of Central Florida in 2019. Dr. Reedy currently serves as the Divisional Neurological Physical Therapy Lead. His professional roles include clinical practice, mentoring, knowledge translation, development of special programs, and best practice advisory. He serves as faculty and an active mentor in the neurological residency program. He has given presentations at state conferences, doctoral-level physical therapy programs and clinical settings on high-intensity gait training, dysautonomia, knowledge implementation projects, spinal muscular atrophy and multiple sclerosis. He is currently involved in research regarding the efficacy of using blood flow restriction to improve function in patients with multiple sclerosis. In 2025, Dr. Reedy was awarded the Physical Therapy Clinical Excellence Award by the Academy of Neurological Physical Therapy.

Rod Olson, PT
Clinical Manager
Rod.Olson@adventhealth.com

Rod Olson is a seasoned Physical Therapist with a master’s degree in physical therapy from Andrews University. He has been a licensed practitioner in the state of Florida for many years, bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to the health care field.

Throughout his career, Rod has held various leadership roles, including positions as a Clinical Manager, Lead Physical Therapist, and Program Director. His expertise extends to vestibular rehabilitation, clinical education, and program development.

Rod is dedicated to his profession and maintains an active membership in the American Physical Therapy Association. With his diverse background and extensive experience in the field, he continues to be a valuable asset to the healthcare community, particularly in the realm of rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Sunita Ruse, PT
Clinical Manager
Sunita.Ruse@adventhealth.com

Sunita Ruse serves as the Clinical Manager for AdventHealth Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities in Central Florida. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2003 and has worked with patients with neurological conditions, primarily in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. Sunita is also a faculty member for the neurological residency program at AdventHealth. Her professional roles include mentoring, quality improvement, competency development and program development.

Outpatient at Innovation Tower

Erin Esposito, PT, DPT, NCS

Jeffrey Schmidt, PT, DPT, NCS, MSCS

Kyle Reedy, PT, DPT, NCS

Laura Patrick, PT, DPT, NCS, GCS

Inpatient Rehab at Winter Park

Alexandria Zelman, PT, DPT

Alyssa Morrison, PT, DPT, NCS

Jailene Caraballo, PT, DPT, NCS

Jessica Dobbins, PT, DPT, NCS

Sunita Ruse, PT, MSPT

Acute Care at Orlando Campus

Kim Olson, PT

Nathalie Borges, PT, DPT, NCS

Rod Olson, PT, MSPT

Tiffany Washington, PT

The typical criteria for the application/admission process is as follows (may vary slightly due to scheduling):

• Application deadline: January 31
• Interviews: February
• Selection: March

Residents are eligible for benefits through AdventHealth. These include employer-supported health and dental insurance, disability and life insurance and paid time off. This is not a comprehensive list; applicants may receive a full description of benefits upon request.