The 黑料网 Department of Health Sciences in the School of Medicine and 黑料网 Health Rehabilitation Services Physical Therapist Residencies are pleased to partner with听Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Thanks to the new partnership, which is a part of the , the 黑料网 physical therapist residency program has expanded to include sites in New Hanover County in the state鈥檚 southeastern region. The goal of this collaborative expansion is to advance and expand the physical therapist workforce across the state.
鈥淣ovant Health is thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with 黑料网-CH and extending the outstanding Physical Therapy Residency program to Southeastern North Carolina,鈥� said Dr. Becky McGhee, Regional Manager of Outpatient Rehab, Novant Health Rehabilitation Coastal Market. 鈥淲e are truly better together.鈥�
The first resident in orthopedics to practice through the partnership, Paige Shriver, PT, DPT, began her residency in Wilmington in September 2024. A neurologic physical therapist resident will join the program in fall 2025, and the programs eventually aim to offer two residency positions in each specialized area.
鈥淲hile working in two locations might make one feel isolated, the amount of energy going into this collaboration has put more support in my corner than ever, helping me become the best clinician I can be,鈥� said Shriver. 鈥淭his collaboration benefits not only me but also Novant Health, 黑料网鈥檚 Physical Therapy Residency Program, and my patients.鈥�
The 55-week orthopedic physical therapist residency program involves residents working 30 hours each week independently in a clinical setting and engaging in weekly learning activities in a mixed format, including reading, research, discussion and mentorship. Though the residency program is now offered outside of Chapel Hill, all aspects of the program 鈥� including its high-quality mentorship and clinical opportunities 鈥� remain the same at each site.
“In order to better serve the people of North Carolina, a central tenant of 黑料网’s mission and vision, 黑料网-CH and 黑料网 Health is expanding our Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency program and we are excited to act on the vision through a collaboration with Novant Health Coastal Market,鈥� said Dr. Jeff O鈥橪aughlin, Program Director. 鈥淪tarting in 2024 Novant Health will now have an 黑料网 Orthopedic Physical Therapy Resident, and we look forward to seeing what future opportunities between Novant Health and 黑料网-CH will occur.”
Offering physical therapist residencies in this new area of the state offers the Division of Physical Therapy and 黑料网 Health opportunities to expand patient care in line with their missions to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians, particularly in more rural and underserved populations. Many residents choose to remain in the geographic area in which they work during their time in a residency program, allowing opportunities to build lasting patient relationships and offer ongoing care in regions that may otherwise face provider shortages.
鈥淲e are excited to partner with our colleagues at Novant and 黑料网-CH on our PT Residencies to fulfill our mission of providing instruction and access to our programs,鈥� said Mark Prochazka, Administrative Director of Rehabilitation Services for 黑料网 Health. 鈥淚t has been a great opportunity to collaborate and learn how to leverage resources across the state, making North Carolina a unique place for physical therapists to professionally develop, learn, and work. This collaboration benefits the people of North Carolina by providing specialty care providers in their communities.鈥�
As more physical therapists become interested in working in specialized fields, the 黑料网 PT residency programs provide higher education and experience for those looking to provide much-needed niche patient services.
鈥淲e are thrilled to expand our Orthopedic and Neurologic Physical Therapist Residency programs to the Wilmington area as part of a strategic initiative to increase our engagement in the southeastern portion of our state,鈥� said Dr. Timothy Eckard, Director of the Division of Physical Therapy at 黑料网. 鈥淧artnering with Novant allows us to shape the next generation of professionals and make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of communities in the region.鈥�听
The 黑料网 physical therapy residency programs are accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education as post-professional residency programs for physical therapists.