Close-up of patient's legs and hands using walker with assistance.

Physical Therapy - Neurologic Residency Program

Utica University has partnered with Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady to provide a unique neurologic physical therapy residency program.

Exterior of Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital main entrance.

This 12-month residency program focuses on advanced clinical decision-making. It prepares residents to provide the highest level of care to patients with complex neurologic conditions while working at Sunnyview, one of US News & World Report's Best Rehabilitation Hospitals.

The resident will work primarily with individuals with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease clinical experiences in inpatient and outpatient settings.

Program Benefits

Salary and full-time benefits
One-on-one clinical mentoring and support team
Variety of unique didactic experiences
Residents will develop teaching experiences working with the Utica University faculty, participate in scholarly activity and evidence-based practice
Residents will practice in a state-of-the-art facility with access to a wide variety of technologies for clinical interventions

Accredited Residency Program

Utica University's Neurologic Residency Program is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE). The American Physical Therapy Association recognizes the ABPTRFE as the agency for the accreditation of physical therapist residency and fellowship education programs.

Eligibility Requirements. Acceptable candidates must be:

A graduate of a CAPTE accredited physical therapy program or equivalent;
Eligible for licensure as a physical therapist in the state of New York;
Meet Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital's employment eligibility requirements to practice as a physical therapist, including but not limited to possessing current Physical Therapy licensure in New York State, successful completion of a criminal background check, drug screen, and health requirements.

Application Requirements

Online application through RF-PTCAS.
Transcript from the entry-level PT program.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
A cover letter.
Evidence of APTA membership.
Three reference letters.

Application Deadline: The application opens in February and ends in April.

More Information

Apply Now

Financial Fact Sheet

About the Program

The mission of the Utica University and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital Neurologic Residency Program is to develop advanced practitioners in neurologic physical therapy who provide the highest quality, evidence-based care with integrity and compassion by providing an up to date, evidence-based curriculum.

Patient in walker being assisted at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital.

Utica University and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital have partnered up to create a unique educational experience for their residents.

This intensive, 12-month program focuses on advanced clinical decision making and prepares the residents to provide the highest level of physical therapy for patients with neurologic conditions while working at Sunnyview Hospital, one of the US News and World Report - Best Rehabilitation Hospitals.

The resident will develop experiences at the 115 bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital and the outpatient neurological center. Residents will participate in an inpatient and outpatient clinical rotation working primarily with persons with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis and parkinson’s disease.

Residents will also have the opportunity to work along with the Utica University faculty teaching in the entry level doctor of physical therapy program.

Program Length: 12 Months, starting June 1, each year

Location:

Utica University, 1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY
Sunnyview Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, 1270 Belmont Ave, Schenectady, NY

Clinical Experience in an inpatient and outpatient Neurologic physical therapy clinic. Residents are required to spend 37.5 hours per week in patient care.
Direct Patient Care Mentorship: During the residency, each resident will receive approximately 3 hours per week of 1:1 mentoring. Mentors will help the resident incorporate the most recent evidence based clinical practice.
Residents will attend the Neurologic Physical Therapy Professional Education Consortium onsite in Los Angeles, California, participate in the online journal club and online learning modules associated with the consortium.
Utica University Teaching Experience: Residents will assist in teaching graduate level DPT laboratory courses. Residents will have access to and be mentored by course instructors.
During the second half of the residency program, the resident will participate in either research being conducted at Sunnyview or supervise DPT students who are providing wellness programs for individuals with neurological conditions at Utica University.
Residents will have the opportunity to observe the following at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital: A Driving Assessment (in-house and on the road); Specialized wheelchair assessment; Low Vision Rehab; Neuro-Ophthalmology Vision Assessment; Prism Adaptation Assessment and Training for Spatial Neglect; Videofluoroscopy/MBS Swallow Assessment; Interdisciplinary Wound Rounds; Adaptive Sports and Recreation Experiences; Traumatic Brain Injury Home and Community Based Waiver Program; and Neuropsychological Assessment.

Patient assisted in sitting up at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital

The resident will:

develop and demonstrate a thorough, timely, neurologic clinical examination and evaluation skills, with consideration of differential diagnosis and exercise prescription for effective patient management;
demonstrate integration of professional communications and behaviors during all clinic and patient interactions;
evaluate the impact of bio-psycho-social factors on management of patients and incorporate appropriate strategies during patient care;
utilize optimal tests and outcome measures and determine an evidence based plan of care for patients during patient care;
sit for the NCS examination.

Graduation and pass rate statistics will be posted when data becomes available.

Fees

There is no tuition associated with the Utica University-Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital, however resident(s) are responsible for the Neuro Consortium fees that provide them with access to the onsite instructions, webinars, and journal club.

2024-2025 Registration costs: $2,300

Salary/Benefits

Residents are employed as full time physical therapists at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital and are eligible for full time benefits, including employer-supported health insurance and paid time off. Residents will receive a salary equivalent to 75% of physical therapists commensurate with years of experience and are expected to participate in clinical work 35-38 hrs/week. The hours will fluctuate with didactic teaching responsibilities at Utica University.

Eligibility Requirements

Acceptable candidates must be:

A graduate of an accredited physical therapy program by the Commission for Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or equivalent;
Eligible for licensure as a physical therapist in the state of New York;
Meet Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital employment eligibility requirements to practice as a physical therapist; including but not limited to possessing a current Physical Therapy licensure in New York State, successful completion of a criminal background check, drug screen and health requirements.

Application Requirements

Transcript from PT program
A current resume or Curriculum Vitae
A cover letter that includes evidence of interest in further professional development;
Evidence of APTA membership; and
Three reference letters from physical therapists and/or healthcare professionals.

Application Deadline: Application opens in February and ends in April of each year.

Apply Now

Director

Matthew J. Caraher PT, DPT, NCS joined the faculty of Utica University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2024. He was previously a co-founder and former program director for the University of Miami's PT Neurologic Residency Program. During his time with the institution, he served as an instructor and senior mentor for the University of Miami's DPT program as well as UM's Center for Advanced Physical Therapy Teaching and Learning (CAPiTAL). Caraher's areas of expertise are in acquired brain injury rehabilitation as well as research in degenerative neuromuscular conditions and the standardization of objective outcome measures for these patient populations.

Coordinator

Patti Broschart Valenza, PT, DPT, APT is the UC-Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital-NR Program Coordinator.

Therapy Supervisor for Neuro-Rehabilitation Institute at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital since 2010. DPT from Evidence in Motion, Institute of Health Professionals2015, MS in PT Long Island University, 1994, BS in PT from Ithaca College, 1987.

35 years of clinical experience with 30 years of supervisory experience. CCCE at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital for 15 years. Certification as Assistive Technology Professional since 2007. Involved in multiple clinical research studies involving CVA and TBI subjects. Specializes in wheelchair and seating evaluations and SCI.

Program Advisers

Ashraf Elazzazi, PT, Ph.D. is Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at Utica University. His clinical experience is in acute care, patient rehabilitation, and home care for post-operative orthopedic, pulmonary and cardiac conditions. Dr. Elazzazi's areas of content expertise include musculoskeletal conditions, geriatrics, and fall prevention.

Meghan O’Leary, OTR/L is an occupational therapist at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital. She has 20 years of experience in inpatient rehabilitation as well as subacute rehabilitation in long-term care and outpatient settings, serving patients as a neurovascular OT team leader (2008-2020) and a cardiovascular therapy supervisor (2021-2023).

Utica University Faculty

Carrie Caruso-Rahn, PT, DPT, OCS, NCS, Cert. LSVT obtained her doctorate degree from University of Buffalo in 2013. She became an orthopedic specialist in 2016 and a neurologic specialist in 2017. Dr. Caruso-Rahn opened her own physical therapy practice in 2019 and has experience teaching in the Utica University doctorate of PT program.

Clinical Mentors

Cono Cirone, PT, DPT, NCS. DPT from Russell Sage College, BS in Human Biology from State University of New York at Albany. 9 years of clinical experience in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, acute care and nursing home settings. Specializes in SCI rehabilitation. Ekso GT and ReWalk certified.

Erica Gauthier, PT, DPT, NSC. DPT from Grand Valley State University. BS in Exercise Science from Western Michigan University. 10 years of clinical experience in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. Specializes in TBI and CVA patients. Ekso GT certified.

Brittany Stevens, PT, DPT, NCS. DPT in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College, MS in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College, BS in Clinical Science from Ithaca College. 12 years of clinical experience in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, acute care, nursing home and school settings. Specializes in TBI and Pediatrics. Ekso GT certified.

Melanie Melewski, PT, DPT, NCS is a research clinician at Sunnyview Rehabilitation with a focus on ABI and multidisciplinary interventions. Dr. Melewski is an EKSO Certified Clinician with a strong background in treating neurological conditions such as stoke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s and various other neurological disorders. She has additional experience and training with the Zero G body weight harness, NDT handling, Ekso exoskeleton, and Lite-gait technology, and has initiated several research projects primarily looking at robotic and technology use in the acquired brain injury population.

Dana Provost, PT, DPT, NCS is a physical therapist at Sunnyview Rehabilitation with more than 7 years of clinical experience in all inpatient neurologic units. She is currently serving patients in the neurovascular unit.