Neurologic Residency
Kick-start your professional career and get on the fast track to clinical specialization with the neurologic physical therapy residency program at Creighton University. The residency is a fast-paced, high-energy, one-year clinical immersion experience, designed to help you progress from new practitioner to a more confident clinician who is ready to take on a challenging clinical environment.
You will receive quality mentorship over your clinical and teaching skills, participate in an advanced didactic curriculum, and engage in scholarship and service opportunities to help you begin to develop expertise in the practice of neurologic physical therapy.
Neurologic Residency Program Details
- Employment through Creighton University starting early August and ending in late July of the following year
- Clinical practice experiences across the continuum of care (ICU, acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient) with 3 hours of 1:1 mentoring per week
- Participation in a unique Common Curriculum which is interprofessional (OT and PT) and inter-specialty (sports, orthopedics, neurologic, geriatric, women’s health)
- Lecture, laboratory and clinical teaching opportunities with mentorship by experienced resident faculty
- PT resident faculty with expertise in neurologic physical therapy
- Engagement with other residents around the nation during a 10-webinar series and online journal club through Neurologic Physical Therapy Professional Education Consortium
- Opportunities for exposure to advanced technology
- Graduates are eligible to sit for the neurologic clinical specialist exam through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists
Clinical Partners
Our partnership with Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) offers a comprehensive residency experience across the continuum of care. This includes the following practice areas:
- CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy (trauma-centered care in the intensive care unit, acute care)
- CHI Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Institute (outpatient, inpatient rehabilitation)
First-time Pass Rates on the NCS Exam
- 2023 Exam Testing Year
- Non-Resident: 92%
- National Resident: 99%
- Creighton Neurologic Resident: 100%
- 2022 Exam Testing Year*
- Non-Resident: 78%
- National Resident: 98%
- Creighton Neurologic Resident: N/A
- 2021 Exam Testing Year
- Non-Resident: 84%
- National Resident: 98%
- Creighton Neurologic Resident: 100%
- 2020 Exam Testing Year
- Non-Resident: 76%
- National Resident: 97%
- Creighton Neurologic Resident: 100%
- 2019 Exam Testing Year
- Non-Resident: 80%
- National Resident: 92%
- Creighton Neurologic Resident: 100%
- 2018 Exam Testing 7ear
- Non-Resident: 78%
- National Resident: 97%
- Creighton Neurologic Resident: 100%
- 2017 Exam Testing Year
- Non-Resident: 78%
- National Resident: 96%
- Creighton Neurologic Resident: 100%
- 2016 Exam Testing Year
- Non-Resident: 70%
- National Resident: 91%
- Creighton Neurologic Resident: 100%
*No residents took the specialty exam in 2022 COVID-19 pandemic.
Residency Completion Rates
- 2023 – 0/1
- 2022 – 1/1
- 2021 - No residents in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic
- 2020 – 1/1
- 2019 – 1/1
- 2018 – 1/1
- 2017 – 1/1
- 2016 – 1/1
* Reported as the number of program participants who completed the program out of the total number of positions available.
Neurologic Program Outcomes
- Discuss and apply foundational, behavioral, and clinical sciences and critical inquiry principles related to advanced neurologic clinical practice.
- Demonstrate accurate performance of all elements of the patient management model (examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcomes) in a variety of practice settings related to advanced neurologic practice.
- Demonstrate “proficient” clinical reasoning skills necessary for advanced clinical practice in neurology.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully complete the Neurologic Specialty Exam.
- Provide effective teaching and communication to patients, peers, and students.
- Demonstrate skills of leadership and service at the local, state, or national level to optimally serve people impacted by neurologic health conditions.
- Demonstrate skills of advocacy at the individual, local, state, or national level to optimally serve people impacted by neurologic health conditions.
Mission Statement
The mission is to develop graduates who will advance neurologic physical therapy practice through demonstration of excellent clinical reasoning and clinical teaching skills, dedication to patient advocacy and leadership in the profession.
Program faculty, mentors and residents will excel in managing the uncertainty and complexity of clinical practice, utilizing technology to advance patient care, and demonstrating clinical innovation in practice.
Teaching and Research Opportunities
Students in the Creighton Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency Program can participate in several teaching activities, including:
- Serving primarily as a laboratory assistant in the neuromuscular course sequence (3 courses) with occasional guest lecturing in areas of expertise
- Supervising students on course-related experiential opportunities at clinical sites to facilitate teaching skills
The resident typically spends 4-5 hours per week teaching. Prior to any teaching activities, the resident receives mentoring and academic preparation and will be supervised by an experienced faculty member
Research opportunities can include creating a case report/study for publication or presenting a relevant topic at a state, regional, or national professional meeting.
Sample Schedule
Hear from a Neurologic Resident
Jacquelyn Sinner, PT, DPT'17
Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Inspired by the Catholic and Jesuit tradition, our community believes that each human being is a profound gift from God, deserving of both dignity and opportunity. We thus seek to acknowledge and celebrate diversity at Creighton—building the spaces and relationships required for every person to thrive. All physical therapist residents are treated with the utmost respect and dignity.
Contact Information
Heather Knight, PT, DPT, NCS, CBIS
Assistant Professor
Department of Physical Therapy
Residency Program Coordinator
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
402.280.4595
ABPTRFE Accredited Program
The Creighton University Neurologic Residency Program is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists in neurology.
