Residency Program
Our Company Mission
Moving people towards healthy living.
Residency Program Mission
To support the advancement of clinical education by providing opportunities for physical therapists to attain advanced clinical skills and knowledge in orthopedic physical therapy in a private, outpatient setting. Graduates will demonstrate their education through evidence-based treatment, improvement in the quality of life for our patients and community, and preparation for clinical specialist certification in orthopedics.
Program Information
Introduced in 2017, Hand & Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialists’ Orthopedic Residency Program is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE). The program is one of very few ABPTRFE-accredited orthopedic residencies operating in a private-practice setting nationally, and one of only two currently active orthopedic residency programs in Utah.
Program Outcomes
(Updated annually)
- OCS examination pass rate: 100 percent of graduates who have taken the OCS exam have passed (as of 11/30/2025).
- Program completion rate: 93 percent of residents have successfully completed all program requirements and graduated from the residency.
- Post-graduation employment: All program graduates who have chosen to continue practicing physical therapy are employed as physical therapists.
(One graduate is not currently practicing by personal choice.)
These outcomes are updated annually and reflect the program’s commitment to advanced orthopedic specialty preparation.
Program Duration
The residency is 13 months long, beginning each August and concluding in September of the following year.
Residents and Faculty
Both new graduates and experienced clinicians have successfully completed the program.
The residency is supported by a highly experienced faculty team, including:
- Multiple ABPTS Orthopaedic Certified Specialists (OCS)
- A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) who also holds OCS certification
- Faculty with additional specialty certification (e.g., SCS)
- Therapists with advanced clinical training who contribute to resident education
Setting
Our clinic is located in the Salt Lake Valley along the Wasatch Front, offering rapid access to outdoor recreation, mountain trails, and local ski resorts. This region supports an active population and diverse orthopedic caseload.
Residency Program History
Our founder, Margo Jones Brady, PT, DPT, CHT, was among the first Certified Hand Therapists in Utah and trained numerous clinicians in our region. Steve Crandall, PT, DPT, OCS, completed the SOMA Orthopedic Residency in 1994 and later served as faculty for the program. Todd Schwartz, PT, DPT, OCS, completed an informal residency with Dr. Crandall in 2009–2010 and now serves as the Residency Program Director and Coordinator.
Curriculum
The curriculum meets all ABPTRFE accreditation requirements and integrates:
- The APTA Orthopaedic Section (OCS) Residency Curriculum
- Twice-monthly orthopedic didactic sessions (faculty and resident-led)
- A minimum of 150 hours of 1:1 mentored clinical practice
- Four region-specific live patient examinations
- DRP self-assessments (initial, midterm, final)
- APTA Core Competency Assessment Instrument (AI) evaluations (initial, midterm, final)
- A resident-led “Patient Experience” presentation
Clinical Structure
Residents begin on the same schedule as their primary mentor during the first quarter, promoting intensive onboarding, real-time feedback, and shared clinical reasoning. By the second quarter, residents begin transitioning toward independently scheduled treatment blocks while maintaining purposeful shared scheduling. Additional learning experiences include exposure to specialty therapists, case-based discussions, and optional foundational continuing education courses.
Requirements
Applicants must:
- Graduate from an APTA-accredited physical therapy program
- Be licensed (or license-eligible) in Utah by the start of the program
- Maintain active APTA membership and current CPR certification
Application Information
Applications are submitted through RF-PTCAS only.
The application deadline is the end of February, with interviews conducted in early March.
Questions may be directed to: todd.s@handandortho.com
Resources
The program adheres to ABPTRFE Quality Standards. Additional resources, including accreditation information, may be found at www.abptrfe.org.
The Residency and Fellowship Financial Fact Sheet is published annually and available on the website.