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Orthopedic Residency

Together with the University of Evansville, Rehabilitation & Performance Institute, PSC offers a 14-month physical therapy outpatient orthopaedic residency in our Owensboro, Kentucky location that allows you to participate in one-on-one mentored patient care with expert clinicians and caregivers in an outpatient orthopaedic setting.

This program allows licensed physical therapists to advance their knowledge by incorporating classroom knowledge and psychomotor skills through face-to-face interaction, weekend intensives, online learning, and small-group discussions.

While our curriculum exists to prepare the residents for material covered on the Orthopaedic Certification Exam (we have a 100% first attempt pass rate on the ABPTS OCS exam and 3 of 4 residents have graduated our program), our residents leave with life-changing experiences that provide the foundation for a fulfilling career in leadership and outpatient orthopaedic physical therapy.

ABPTRFE has granted Rehabilitation & Performance Institute, PSC and the University of Evansville Orthopaedic Residency initial accreditation for a period of 5 years through January 2024. Residency programs are not accredited by CAPTE. Accreditation by ABPTRFE is a reliable indicator of the value and quality of the Residency Program. In receiving initial accreditation, the program demonstrated its commitment to educational standards and ethical business practices indicative of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement that enhances the physical therapy profession.

Key Focuses

Mentoring takes many forms throughout the orthopaedic residency program. Every week, time is scheduled during the week for one-on-one mentoring. This time is dedicated to learning and practicing manual techniques, reviewing concepts, co-treating, leadership training, or whatever goals the resident is working toward.

In addition, the orthopaedic residency participates in a weekly THINK TANK. Think Tank is one patient session a week where the entire clinic co-treats together. This learning opportunity is designed to be collaborative and focus on developing clinical reasoning.

Residents participate in physical therapy education as a teaching assistant in the Physical Therapy Program at The University of Evansville. The resident will assist with lab and have the opportunity to lecture and instruct.

With the help of residency faculty, the resident will complete a research project. The research project can take many different forms depending on interests of the resident.

The resident will develop deep relationships within the community. The resident will create a program or event to encourage community involvement and bring people together.

Every quarter RPI holds an in-service. During this time, clinicians learn new techniques, refine old ones, and practice with the feedback of others. These sessions are lead by Shelly Tyler (Fellow in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy) and John Mark Tyler (Chiropractor).

We recognize that every resident is an individual and may have different goals in addition to completing an orthopaedic residency. We work with the resident to prepare customized learning opportunities where necessary. Our goal is for residents to meet their goals.

Mentoring takes many forms throughout the residency program. Every week, time is scheduled during the week for one-on-one mentoring. This time is dedicated to learning and practicing manual techniques, reviewing concepts, co-treating, leadership training, or whatever goals the resident is working toward.

In addition, the resident participates in a weekly THINK TANK. Think Tank is one patient session a week where the entire clinic co-treats together. This learning opportunity is designed to be collaborative and focus on developing clinical reasoning.

Residents participate in physical therapy education as a teaching assistant in the Physical Therapy Program at The University of Evansville. The resident will assist with lab and have the opportunity to lecture and instruct.

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Mentoring

Mentoring takes many forms throughout the residency program. Every week, time is scheduled during the week for one-on-one mentoring. This time is dedicated to learning and practicing manual techniques, reviewing concepts, co-treating, leadership training, or whatever goals the resident is working toward.

In addition, the resident participates in a weekly THINK TANK. Think Tank is one patient session a week where the entire clinic co-treats together. This learning opportunity is designed to be collaborative and focus on developing clinical reasoning.

Teaching

Residents participate in physical therapy education as a teaching assistant in the Physical Therapy Program at The University of Evansville. The resident will assist with lab and have the opportunity to lecture and instruct.

Research

With the help of residency faculty, the resident will complete a research project. The research project can take many different forms depending on interests of the resident.

Community Involvement

The resident will develop deep relationships within the community. The resident will create a program or event to encourage community involvement and bring people together.

Manual Treatment Training

Every quarter RPI holds an in-service. During this time, clinicians learn new techniques, refine old ones, and practice with the feedback of others. These sessions are lead by Shelly Tyler (Fellow in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy) and John Mark Tyler (Chiropractor).

Customized Learning Tracks

We recognize that every resident is an individual and may have different goals in addition to completing an orthopaedic residency. We work with the resident to prepare customized learning opportunities where necessary. Our goal is for residents to meet their goals.

Highlights of this program include:

  • Direct 1:1 clinical mentoring with physical therapists, chiropractors, and additional health care providers in the community
  • One-on-one patient care time with no overlap in care between patients to allow you to fully invest in the person right in front of you
  • Leadership training to prepare you to excel in the clinic for a clinical and business perspective
  • A supportive team atmosphere that is passionate about our communities and our profession
  • Compensation (including benefits) for non-mentored hours of patient care
  • Weekly participation as a lab instructor in University of Evansville’s advanced orthopaedic and elective movement systems courses in the physical therapy program
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Discussions facilitated in small group “think tank” discussions, in-services, five weekend intensives, and didactic coursework
  • Investment in the community around us through community screens, events, and classes
  • Opportunities to participate in ongoing research projects at the University of Evansville, as well as institute your own case study or project independently with the assistance of highly experienced researchers
  • Preparation for the OCS exam

Program Faculty

Headshot of Jenna Gourlay orthopaedic residency

Jenna Gourlay

DPT, PT, SCS – Physical Therapist, Residency Program Director

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Headshot of Shelly Tyler at Owensboro location, orthopaedic residencyand helps with continued education

Shelly Tyler

DPT, COMT, OCS, FAAOMPT- Physical Therapist, Vice President, Chief Clinical Officer, Teaching Faculty

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Albion Clinic Tanea Ledger, orthopaedic residency clinician

Tanea St. Ledger

DPT, COMT, OCS, CIRS- Physical Therapist, Clinic Director, Program Coordinator

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Newburgh Clinic Kate Schwartzkopf-Phifer, orthopaedic residency clinician

Kate Schwartzkopf Phifer

DPT, OCS, CSCS- Physical Therapist, Head of Research, Teaching Faculty, Residency Mentor

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Headshot of Craig Phifer at Owensboro location, orthopaedic residency clinician

Craig Phifer

MPT, MHA – Physical Therapist, President, CEO, Teaching Facult

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Headshot of John Mark Tyler at Owensboro location, orthopaedic residency clinician and helps with continued education

John Mark Tyler

DC- Chiropractor, Personal Trainer, Clinic Director, Teaching Faculty

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Headshot of Morgan Weinzapfel, orthopaedic residency clinician

Morgan Weinzapfel

DPT- Physical Therapist, Teaching Faculty

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Headshot of Suzanne Leach, orthopaedic residency clinician

Suzanne Leach

DPT, OCS- Physical Therapist, Teaching Faculty

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Headshot of Kendall Turner, orthopaedic residency clinician

Kendall Turner

DPT, OCS – Residency Faculty and Residency Clinic Mentor, Physical Therapist

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Discussion Topics

  • Injury Prevention- Functional Movement Screening (FMS) and Y-Balance Testing
  • Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA
  • Wellness and exercise prescription
  • Manual therapy techniques with clinical reasoning for regional interdependence
  • Leadership skills
  • Patient interaction skills
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Critical reasoning skills
  • Vestibular rehabilitation in conjunction with oculomotor systems, TMD, and cervical spine
  • Pain science and education
  • Physical examination

Topics By Region

  • Shoulder
  • Knee
  • Foot and Ankle
  • Elbow, Hand, and Wrist
  • Sacroiliac Joint and Hip
  • Lumbo-pelvic region
  • Thoracic Spine and ribs
  • Cervical Spine
  • Temporomandibular Joint

Discussion Topics

  • Injury Prevention- Functional Movement Screening (FMS) and Y-Balance Testing
  • Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA
  • Wellness and exercise prescription
  • Manual therapy techniques with clinical reasoning for regional interdependence
  • Leadership skills
  • Patient interaction skills
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Critical reasoning skills
  • Vestibular rehabilitation in conjunction with oculomotor systems, TMD, and cervical spine
  • Pain science and education
  • Physical examination

Topics By Region

  • Shoulder
  • Knee
  • Foot and Ankle
  • Elbow, Hand, and Wrist
  • Sacroiliac Joint and Hip
  • Lumbo-pelvic region
  • Thoracic Spine and ribs
  • Cervical Spine
  • Temporomandibular Joint

Program Vision and Mission

Orthopaedic Residency ProgramWe believe that through the experiential residency training model, we can develop and cultivate professionals who are deeply rooted in continued clinical excellence, and who thrive in the profession through leadership and research.

At RPI, we provide a model that emphasizes patient-centered care and compassion through one-on-one treatment sessions with a client throughout the course of their care. This allows for an environment in which the complex orthopaedic patient can thrive and the provider can make appropriate, clinical decisions that are in the patient’s best interest in a sound learning environment.

By investing our time in growing the clinician in their individual treatment style while melding evidence-based practice with functional movement systems and manual therapy, we feel we are impacting the provider and the communities in which we live and work.

At RPI, we value interprofessional communication and interdisciplinary treatment approaches to find the best whole-person treatment for the client in front of us. We provide structured wellness experientials and opportunities to gain a greater appreciation for other conservative disciplines.

 

University of Evansville logo, orthopaedic residency program

Working With The University of Evansville

We believe that residency training is a stepping stone in one’s professional development over the course of their lifetime. It inspires the individual to continue to learn, step up into leadership positions, and continue growing our body of knowledge as physical therapists. Our academic partner, The University of Evansville, has many scholarly resources and houses a state-of-the-art movement analysis laboratory where the resident has the access and freedom to develop new research ideas. There are also opportunities to participate in the classroom setting with DPT students and develop as educators. 

Additionally. we participate in the Residency/Fellowship Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS). Please refer to RF-PTCAS for exact dates and timelines regarding our upcoming residency cycle. For more information on Residency Programs and the application process, please visit this site or e-mail Program Director, Jenna Gourlay, at jgourlay@rehabilitationperformance.com for more information.

Visit Our Clinics

Albion, IL

Olney, IL

Effingham, IL

Newton, IL

Owensboro, KY

Hancock County, KY

Mount Vernon, IN

Newburgh, IN

Bowling Green, KY

Evansville, IN

Petersburg, IL

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Jenna first moved to Indiana in 2014 after growing up in New Jersey. She graduated from The College of New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Rutgers University. She went on to complete the sports residency at The University of Evansville (UE) and is a board-certified sports specialist.

Jenna believes that people should be able to keep doing what they love for as long as possible. She is passionate about helping patients do more than they ever thought possible and loves to be a part of that journey. She loves learning and if you ask what she is currently reading there is a chance she will tell you more than you ever wanted to know.

Jenna can be persuaded to try any sport or physical activity. She loves to hike, climb, and play golf (despite being a frustrated rookie). She previously served as the team PT for the women’s basketball and women’s volleyball team at UE and now is working toward becoming their superfan. She loves the New York Giants, peanut M&M’s, and visiting National Parks.

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Shelly, a native of Owensboro, graduated from University of Evansville in 2010 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT). Following graduation, she has completed her Certificate of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (COMT) through the Ola Grimsby Institute and obtained her Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS) board certification in 2013. In 2016, Shelly graduated from Regis University as Owensboro’s first and only Fellow of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy.

Shelly is certified in Level 1 and 2 Functional Dry Needling, Functional Movement Systems, the Selective Functional Movement Assessment, and Y-balance Testing. She is a credentialed clinical instructor through the APTA and teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Evansville.

Shelly is married to Dr. John Mark Tyler, and they have two boys, Grayson and Paxton, and one girl, Abbi Grace. They love their local church and the Owensboro community. Her interests include: playing the violin, yoga, participating in triathlons, snow skiing, painting, and spending time with her family.

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Tanea, a native of Albion, IL, graduated from University of Evansville in 2008 with her Bachelors in Exercise Science and in 2011 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from University of Evansville. She completed her Certificate of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (COMT) through the Ola Grimsby Institute in 2014 and obtained her Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS) board certification in 2014. She also completed training to become a Certified Industrial Rehabilitation Specialist (CIRS) in 2015.

Tanea is certified in Level 1 and 2 Functional Dry Needling, Selective Functional Movement Assessment, and Y-balance Testing. She is also a credentialed clinical instructor through the APTA. She also enjoys treating individuals with vestibular dysfunction and athletic injuries.

Tanea is married to Edwards County States Attorney, Eric St Ledger, who is also an Albion native. They have four horses which are often treated as children. In her spare time, Tanea enjoys horseback riding, waterskiing/wakeboarding, snow skiing, camping, running and spending time with friends.

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Kate, a native of Sesser, IL, is an assistant professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Evansville. She received her Bachelor and Master of Physical Therapy degrees from the University of Evansville and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Regis University in Denver, CO. She completed an orthopedic residency and is a board certified clinical specialist in orthopedics through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. She is currently working on a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Kentucky, with a focus on injury prevention in athletes.

Kate has additional certifications in the Functional Movement Screen, Hardstyle Kettlebell, Functional Dry Needling and strength and conditioning. She loves working with athletes that are preparing for an upcoming event or season, or struggling with chronic injuries.

In her free time, Kate enjoys spending time with her family. She enjoys staying active and is an avid supporter of Purple Aces athletics.

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Craig was born and raised in Staunton, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Evansville with his Masters in Physical Therapy in 2007 and from the University of Southern Indiana in 2010 with his Masters in Health Administration. While at UE, Craig also played collegiate basketball.

Craig believes that far too many people are living in pain when they don’t have to be, and that therapy is the answer for many.

Craig is married to a physical therapist, Kate, who is a faculty member in the University of Evansville Physical Therapy program. They have three children, Calvin, Zoe, and Eric. He enjoys running, training for triathlons, reading, and hanging out with his family.

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John Mark was born in Jackson, Mississippi. In 2003, he found his way to the University of Evansville where he pursued his college soccer career and undergraduate degree. In 2011, John Mark then graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic in Chesterfield, MO.

John Mark has a passion for sports performance and family wellness. He enjoys being able to incorporate therapeutic exercise and nutritional counseling into his treatment sessions with patients. John Mark is Graston Level 1 Certified, Level 1 Certified in Functional Dry Needling, is a Certified Personal Trainer by the NCCA, and is a Certified Level 1 Crossfit Coach.

He enjoys staying active, snow skiing, teaching fitness classes, and being with his family. He is married to Shelly Tyler. They are able to combine their passions into one organization and make an impact on the Owensboro community.

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Morgan, a native of Milltown, IN, graduated from the University of Evansville with a Bachelors degree in Exercise and Sports Science in 2012 and with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2015.

She would like patients to feel that our team cares about them and treats them like family. She feels that each experience a patient has with us should be positive and rewarding.

Morgan works at the Mt. Vernon, IN office and provides detailed running analysis for patients and incorporates various techniques for running correctives.

She enjoys eating all variations of food, visiting friends and family, and traveling and vacationing to South Carolina.

She has a fur baby named Ryder. He is a shepherd-shar pei mix who loves sleeping and treats almost as much as she does.

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Suzanne is originally from Greenville, Kentucky but has spent the last several years calling Owensboro home. Suzanne completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky, where she competed as a track and cross-country athlete for four years. She completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of Evansville in 2019 and is currently a board-certified orthopedic specialist.

Suzanne is certified in the Selective Functional Movement Assessment, Functional Movement Systems, and Y-Balance Testing. Suzanne believes in a holistic approach to care and that people are at their best when they are moving and doing the things they love. Suzanne enjoys using her background as a collegiate runner to help others.

For the last several years, she has served as a high school cross country coach, which is how she met her husband, Jordan, a teacher and coach at Bowling Green High School. They enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors with their dog, Raylan. In her spare time, Suzanne enjoys staying active by running, cycling, snowboarding, spending time with her family and friends, and following Western Kentucky University and her alma mater – University of Kentucky.

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Kendall is proudly from Fort Thomas, KY. She graduated from the University of Evansville with her Bachelors in Exercise and Sport Science in 2018 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2020. In her spare time, Kendall enjoys boating with her friends and family at Lake Cumberland, cooking, refurbishing furniture, shopping, and cheering on her favorite sports teams (Go Cats, Bengals, and Red Legs).

One of Kendall’s favorite sayings is “You gotta start where you’re at”. She believes that in all aspects of life, it is important to set goals for yourself and appreciate the journey as you work to achieve them. Kendall uses this quote to remind her patients, family, and herself that it is important to recognize and appreciate where we are currently at in our process, where we have been, and to encourage and support one another as we progress toward our goals.

In addition, Kendall is passionate about promoting functional movement patterns in order to help prevent future injury and live a healthy and pain free lifestyle! She is very excited to join the RPI family and looks forward to forming new relationships while making Owensboro her new home!

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