Neurological Physiotherapy Residency Program | VA Durham Health Care

Program Overview
Didactic
MedBridge program to complete the teaching of each module as well as the preparation for the clinical specialty exam
On-site learning experiences, including specialty clinics, grand rounds, case presentations, and journal clubs
Interdisciplinary observations, including (but not limited to) swallowing assessments, vestibular function tests, neurological surgeries, medical rounds with physician-led teams and respiratory care practitioners
Duke Multidisciplinary Geriatric Fellowship Program
Opportunity to attend conferences or workshops that support the goals and mission of the residency, including APTA Combined Sections Meeting, ANPT Annual Conference, Emory Vestibular Rehabilitation Competency Course and specialty clinics of the annual North Carolina Physical Therapy Conference
Exposure to a wide range of diagnoses included in the APTA Neurology Specialty Practice Description o Stroke, Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Guillain-Barré, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Vestibular
Opportunities to shadow specialist clinics within the Durham VAMC, Duke Health system and/or Richmond VAMC (Hunter Holmes McGuire Hospital)
Movement Disorders, Vestibular and Dizziness, Multiple Sclerosis (Center of Excellence), ALS, Polytrauma/TBI, SCI, Neuro-Optometry, Wheelchair and Adapted Equipment, EMG/NCV, Emerging Consciousness
Rotations
Intensive 12-month program anchored in the outpatient setting with rotations within each module to include:
- Acute Care, ED, Community Living Center (SNF), Primary Home Care
- Integrated telehealth where applicable
- Duke Observation University Hospital (Neurological and Lowering Intensive Care Units)
- Observation Hunter Holmes McGuire
Mentoring time
Receives over 150 hours of 1:1 patient-centered mentorship time with faculty-in-residence
- Structured mentoring time allows resident and mentor to reflect on accomplishments against resident goals
- Focus on professional growth and development and improving neurological examination, assessment and care plan
Core Clinical Faculty Mentors
Shella LoBianco, PT, MSPT, NCS, LSVT Big cert.
Mary Thompson, PT, DPT
Tasala Rufai, PT, DPT, GCS
Casey Turner, PT, DPT, GCS, OCS, Cert DN
Carrie Frede, PT, DPT, CSC
Deanna Baldassari, MS, OTR/L, ATP, Wheeled Mobility/Assistive Technology Clinical Specialist
Duke University Clinical Faculty Mentors
Mary Beth Osborne, PT, DPT, NCS
Dana Lott, PT, DPT, NCS
Richmond VA Faculty
John Sharpe, MSPT, MBA, FACHE, Director of SCI&D Rehabilitation Services
Ann Gulyas, PT, Program Director of the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center