Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Neurologic Physical Therapy (PT) Residency Program partners with Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital (PRH) at Delray Medical Center and Memorial Rehabilitation Institute to provide a comprehensive residency curriculum. A clinical residency program is a post-professional learning experience in a focused area of PT practice. The NSU Neurologic PT Residency Program is designed to advance the physical therapist's knowledge, skills, and attributes in neurologic clinical practice. The program combines opportunities for one-on-one clinical mentoring and didactic coursework based on the American Physical Therapy Association’s Description of Residency Practice in Neurology. Learning experiences include collaborative patient care experiences, didactic courses focused on contemporary management of people affected by neurological disorders, scientific inquiry, evidence-based projects, and integration of principles of teaching/learning in physical therapy. It is a 12 month program where residents are physical therapy employees at the clinical partner and are actively involved in teaching/lab assisting in the professional DPT curriculum at NSU.
Congratulations to Dr. Rania Massad, winner of the 2021 FPTA Neurology SIG Outstanding Educator Award. This award recognizes a physical therapist who has devoted their time, knowledge, and expertise to developing and guiding current and future clinicians in the specialty of neurologic physical therapy. This is accomplished by demonstrating a positive impact in the professional development of physical therapists toward neurologic physical therapy and exhibiting a desire to further neurologic physical therapy through advocation of evidence-based research, effective inter-professional communication, development of educational courses/opportunities, and personal/professional development. Dr. Massad teaches in the neurological curriculum of the professional DPT program, mentors entry-level students during Integrated Clinical Education (ICE) experiences with patients who have neurological disorders, and is the coordinator of the NSU Neurological Residency Program. Congratulations, Dr. Massad!
The 12 month residency program will begin in August/September. The resident must successfully complete all residency requirements to be eligible to apply for the ABPTS Neurologic Specialist exam. The resident will apply for the specialty exam during the last moth of the residency program and will sit for the exam in following March.
Academic Coursework: Coursework is provided in a self-directed, continuing education format with courses delivered predominately online using Blackboard. The resident will complete a total of 7 courses focusing on content based on the Description of Specialty Practice (DSP) in neurology. Courses are between 12 and 21 weeks long and the resident will take 2-3 courses per trimester. Residents can expect to spend an average of at least 5 hours per week on didactic coursework for a total of at least 300 hours during the 12 month residency. See below for an outline of the didactic curriculum. Additional didactic experiences will be assigned on an individual basis as needed.
Clinical Practice: Residents will be employed 32 hours per week at Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital or Memorial Health System and are expected to carry a full patient caseload consisting of neurologically impaired patients. Clinical mentorship is provided by residency program faculty, at least 3 hours per week. Clinical mentoring may include collaborative patient care and discussion of patient cases between mentor and resident.
Teaching/Scholarship: Residents are expected to participate in teaching/instruction of basic neurologic skills for entry-level physical therapy students at NSU as part of their academic coursework. Residents are also responsible for providing physical therapy related education to peers and staff at the hospital. Residents will complete a scholarly project such as a pilot research study, clinical case report or faculty driven research project in the area of neurologic physical therapy which may be presented and/or published in a peer reviewed format.
Evaluation of Learning
Resident learning will be evaluated using a variety of methods including:
Requirements for Successful Completion of the Program
Requirements for successful completion of the neurological residency program include:
Minimum requirements for eligibility:
1Prospective residents who will be new graduates at the start of the residency program may apply for acceptance to the neurologic residency program pending sitting for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), however, admission to and participation in the residency program will be contingent on obtaining FL licensure.
2New graduates (defined as a physical therapists practicing in the clinic for less than 1 year) applying to the neurological residency program will need to provide transcripts to demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or above in entry-level PT coursework is preferred.
Preferred attributes include:
Application Process:
All candidates must apply through the Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application System (RFPTCS)
Year |
Graduation Rate |
Ultimate NCS Board Pass Rate |
2020-2021 | 100% | 66.7% (reflects 2/3 residents first attempt) |
2019-2020 | 100% | 100% |
2018-2019 | 100% | 100% |
2017-2018 | 100% | 100% |
2016-2017 | 100% | 100% |
2015-2016 | 100% | 100% |
2014-2015 | 100% | 100% |
Neurologic Residency Coordinator |
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Anna Castaneda, PT, DPT |
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Melinda Geisel, PT, DPT Hey guys! My name is Melinda, and I am a Florida girl, born and raised. I studied Biology during my undergrad at University of North Florida and obtained my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of Central Florida this past May. Go Knights! I chose to pursue a career in physical therapy because I loved the relationships I built with my own physical therapists when I was recovering from softball injuries during my high school and collegiate career. It wasn’t until my 2nd year of PT school where I discovered my love and passion for working with the neurologic population. Many of these patients are going through the hardest and often most unexpected parts of their life and being a part of their journey as they gain back their independence is truly remarkable. I am so excited for all the knowledge and experiences I will gain throughout this next year! Outside of work and the residency, I love to eat delicious foods, spend time at the beach, and do anything that keeps me active including weightlifting, long boarding, cycling, or exploring new parks. |
Shyra Dehner, PT, DPT Hello everyone! My name is Shyra Dehner and I am originally from South Jersey. I completed |
2020-2021 Graduates
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2019-2020 Graduates
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2018-2019 Graduates Jason Berlongieri, PT, DPT Laurianne Dib, PT, DPT Syeda Ahmed, PT, DPT, CSCS Pictured L-R: Rania Margonis, Residency Coordinator; Jason Berlongieri, Graduate; Laurianne Dib, Graduate; Syeda Ahmed, Graduate; Melissa Tovin, Residency Director |
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2017-2018 Graduate Paul Colbert, PT, DPT
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2016-2017 Graduate Breanna Holliday, PT, DPT, NCS Pictured L-R: Melissa Tovin, , Residency Dir NSU; Breanna Holliday, Graduate; Jennifer Canbek, Neuro Residency Coord. |
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2015-2016 Graduate Kara Scnake, PT, DPT, NCS Pictured L-R: Kara Schnake, Graduate; Graduate; Jennifer Canbek, Residency Dir NSU |
2014-2015 Graduates Donna Tadena, PT, NCS Jennifer Lombardi, PT, DPT, NCS Pictured L-R: Cheri Archer-Silveria, Administrative Dir. PRH; Teressa Dykeman-Diaz, Rehab Dir. PRH; Donna Tadena, Graduate; Jennifer Lombardi, Graduate; Jennifer Canbek, Residency Dir NSU |
Nova Southeastern University Post-Professional Physical Therapy Residency Programs comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations including non-discrimination, privacy, confidentiality policies, and equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. NSU admits residents of any race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, national or ethnic origin, nondisqualifying disability, age, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, military service, veteran status, political beliefs or affiliations.
Visit the Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (RFPTCAS) to apply.
*Note: Admissions and enrollment decisions are made on a rolling basis.