{"id":144362,"date":"2025-01-10T08:00:02","date_gmt":"2025-01-10T13:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=144362"},"modified":"2025-04-14T11:26:21","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T15:26:21","slug":"new-ucf-orlando-health-physical-therapy-residency-program-aims-to-improve-womens-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/new-ucf-orlando-health-physical-therapy-residency-program-aims-to-improve-womens-health\/","title":{"rendered":"New UCF, Orlando Health Physical Therapy Residency Program Aims to Improve Women\u2019s Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new women\u2019s health residency program launched in conjunction with Orlando Health is preparing more physical therapists to offer specialized care in an emerging area \u2014 giving practitioners advanced training, education and clinical practice to help improve the reproductive health of women across the lifespan.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s definitely a need,\u201d says Clinical Associate Professor Carey Rothschild, one of the UCF faculty who instructs in the program and aided in its development. \u201cInterest in this area is growing, and a 12-month program allows new graduates to get advanced training so they can effectively treat and manage patients with a wide range of concerns.\u201d<\/p>\n

The residency program focuses extensively on pelvic and obstetric physical therapy and delivers training in pelvic and breast oncology, lymphedema, menopause management, and women’s neuromusculoskeletal health.<\/p>\n

One third of women in the U.S. suffer from some kind of pelvic floor condition, according to the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pelvic Health. Conditions can include urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and bowel dysfunction.<\/p>\n

Residency programs enable physical therapists to advance their knowledge and clinical skills, preparing healthcare professionals with highly specialized training and increasing the pool of competent and compassionate healthcare providers for the community.<\/p>\n

While physical therapy residency programs in orthopedics and neurology are more common, the UCF and Orlando Health Women\u2019s Health Physical Therapy Residency Program is just the second in Florida and one of only 22 in the country. The program is currently pursuing accreditation through the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency & Fellowship Education.<\/p>\n

Residents in the program receive training and mentoring from Orlando Health physical therapists as well as physical therapy faculty clinicians at UCF\u2019s Division of Physical Therapy in the College of Health Professions and Sciences.<\/p>\n

The yearlong program, which began this fall with two residents, calls for a combination of clinical practice, didactic training and mentoring. Residents spend 32 hours a week at Orlando Health, working with healthcare professionals in a specialty women\u2019s hospital acute care setting and in outpatient rehabilitation service.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur residency program aims to provide a unique experience of clinical training and mentoring in both acute care and outpatient settings,\u201d says Beth Northrop, the program coordinator for Orlando Health. \u201cWomen\u2019s rehabilitation needs are often not prioritized in hospitals, particularly after childbirth, which can lead to a sequelae of chronic conditions. Our residents are prepared to be experts in caring for women across the continuum of care and providing early, evidence-based interventions for this population.\u201d<\/p>\n

Residents spend time each week in a didactic training and academic environment alongside UCF faculty. They learn instructional techniques, lecture and present to physical therapy students, and conduct a literature review that culminates in a research report.<\/p>\n

Additional hours each week are dedicated to one-on-one formal mentoring by board certified specialists \u2014 both UCF faculty clinicians and Orlando Health professionals who have extensive expertise in women\u2019s health treatment. Following completion of the program, residents sit for a national certification exam.<\/p>\n

The program marks the second successful physical therapy residency partnership between UCF and Orlando Health. A neurological residency program has been in place since 2017, with program residents attaining a 100% first-attempt pass rate on the board specialty examination. UCF and Orlando Health are also collaborating on a sports residency program which is expected to employ residents starting in July 2025.<\/p>\n