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Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program


The Ortho Residency Program provides practicing physical therapists with advanced training in orthopaedic:

  • Exams.
  • Decision-making.
  • Manual therapy techniques.

The program also places an emphasis on using research and the literature to maintain practice within the scope of evidence-based physical therapy.

UPMC Rehabilitation Institute funds the program, housed within several outpatient clinics. The UPMC Rooney Sports Complex serves as our main training location. The UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex serves as an additional training location.

Who should apply to the Ortho PT Residency Program?

Licensed physical therapists that have already completed an entry-level program who want to:

  • Receive further training in the orthopaedic physical therapy subspecialty.
  • Become board-certified clinical specialists in orthopaedic PT.

The Orthopaedic PT Residency Program runs 16 successive months starting in August.

The curriculum for our Orthopaedic Residency Program offers many learning opportunities.

Residents will conduct approximately 30 hours of weekly clinical care.

Training will include:

  • Weekly mentoring with our sports and orthopaedic PT residency faculty (approximately 2-3 hours/week).
  • Weekly Sports Conference — The University of Pittsburgh Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
  • Grand Rounds presentations — The University of Pittsburgh Department of Physical Therapy (DPT).
  • Journal clubs and "Mortality and Morbidity" conferences.
  • Teaching assistance in the entry-level DPT program's musculoskeletal class series at Pitt.
  • Clinical reasoning and research application module.

Our residency program faculty teach on-site didactic courses on:

  • Managing disorders of the spine, foot and ankle, knee, shoulder, and hip.
  • Exertional concussion management.
  • Running analysis.

Typical weekly schedule for ortho PT residents

  • Clinical practice: 30 hours/week (on average).
  • Mentoring: 2 to 3 hours/week.
  • Orthopaedics - Sports Conference: W 6:00-7:00 a.m.
  • University of Pittsburgh, Department of Physical Therapy (DPT) Grand Rounds.
  • Teaching assistance (Pitt DPT musculoskeletal program): 6-8 hours/week during academic semesters.
  • Didactic orthopaedic residency modules: Fridays, most often from 1:00-5:00 p.m.
  • Other activities (vary by week): resident journal club, complex patient conference.

Keelan R. Enseki, MS, PT, ATC, OCS, SCS

Program Director

UPMC Rooney Sports Complex
ensekr@upmc.edu

Core Faculty:

  • Keelan Enseki, PT, MS, SCS, OCS, ATC
  • Cara Troutman-Enseki, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS
  • Erin Dufort, PT, DPT, OCS
  • Danielle Hildebrand, PT, OCS, SCS
  • Mike Kopacko, PT, OCS
  • Catherine Vargo, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS
  • Jake Fine, PT, DPT, SCS
  • Erin Angelini, PT, DPT, SCS
  • Tara Ridge-Hankin, PT, MS
  • Rick Joreitz, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC
  • Shane Conley, PT, DPT, OCS
  • Sarah Ostop, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC
  • Pat Garvey, FAAOMPT

Orthopaedic PT Program Outcomes

  • Number of Graduates (% Graduation Rate): 15 (100%)
  • OCS examination first time pass rate: 94%
  • OCS examination ultimate pass rate: 93%

Salary, Tuition, and Benefits

  • Tuition: $7,700.
  • Salary: $46,716/ year ($22.46/ hour).
  • Tuition is deducted in equal amounts from biweekly paychecks throughout the 16-month program.
  • Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, Paid Time Off, Continuing Education allotment, Medbridge subscription.

Application Process, Dates, and Contacts

  • Deadline to apply: December 1.
  • Interviews for qualified applicants: February.
  • Start date: Early August.

To learn more, email Keelan Enseki, MS, PT, ATC, OCS, SCS - Orthopaedic PT Residency Program Director: ensekr@upmc.edu

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