Neurologic Clinical Residency Program
The Winston-Salem State University Physical Therapy Neurologic Clinical Residency Program, in partnership with Novant Health, allows licensed physical therapists to elevate their neurologic clinical practice, advance their careers and become leaders in the physical therapy profession.
Throughout the 12-month program, residents work in neurological care alongside mentors at Novant Health facilities across the region. Residents also take courses and provide guest lectures to students in WSSU’s Department of Physical Therapy.
In alignment with WSSU’s Strategic Plan, residents also identify a health equity solution to improve the care of patients who visit one of the program’s free community clinics.
The program achieved full accreditation status in 2020 for a period of 5 years by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education.
The Winston-Salem State University-Novant Health Neurologic Clinical Physical Therapy 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 neurologic rehabilitation.
Points of Pride
- WSSU is the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the United States to offer a fully accredited Physical Therapy Residency Program
- As of 2025, the WSSU-Novant Neurologic PT Clinical Residency Program is 1 of only 5 accredited Neurologic Residency Programs in North Carolina, and 1 of only 79 the United States
- Currently, one resident will be accepted to the 12-month program, starting in August and concluding the following July
- 150 hours of 1-on-1 clinical mentoring
- 32 hours/week clinical care and pay rate with full benefits, and 8 hours/week of residency activities & education
- Rotations in three different Novant settings across the continuum of in-patient acute care neuro, in-patient rehabilitation, and out-patient neuro rehabilitation
- Health equity project in conjunction with either the WSSU Center of Excellence for the Elimination of Health Disparities or the Novant Health Office of Diversity and Inclusion
- Opportunities for teaching and research
- Access to MedBridge neurologic online curriculum
- Networking opportunities with local healthcare providers and physicians through grand rounds, neurosurgery and WSSU pro bono clinics
- A growing, motivated team of mentors, including 6 with NCS designation
The WSSU-Novant Neurologic PT Clinical Residency Program will be accepting applications from December 1st, 2025 - February 1st, 2026 for the 2026-2027 residency, beginning in August 2026.
To apply, please go to the RF-PTCAS application portal and set up an account. Then, search for Winston-Salem State University and be sure to pick the Residency option.
Winston-Salem State University offers affordable tuition for three 3-credit courses throughout the program's 12-month curriculum:
In-State: Approx. $645 per semester (3 semesters = ~$1,935)
Out-of-State: Approx. $2,250 per semester (3 semesters = ~$6,750)
Novant Health will pay residents at a 32 hr/week salary, equaling approximately $54,000.
In order to provide financial transparency to applicants on the true costs to undergo this residency education program, please review this ABPTRFE Financial Fact Sheet with further information.
Residents will complete selected MedBridge neurologic online courses along with 3 online courses taught by WSSU faculty, including:
- Fall: DPT 7315-WC, Advanced Clinical Applications in Neurology (3 credits)
- Spring: DPT 7318-WC, Leadership & Professionalism in Neurology (3 credits)
- Summer: DPT 7310-WC, Special Topics in Neurology (3 credits)
Additionally, each resident will complete a research project with a focus on health equity. For example, previous research within the residency program included a large data set analysis of discharge location for acute neuro patients and evaluated social determinants of health influencing discharge. WSSU PT faculty mentor the resident through the processes of research design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation.
- Kelly Rowland (2019-2020 Resident and current Residency Mentor)
- Passed NCS examination in March 2021 (first attempt)
- Poster presentation accepted at the 2022 APTA Combined Sections Meeting entitled, "Effects of Social Determinants of Health on Discharge Location from an Acute Neurological Facility"
- Joined the Novant Health out-patient neurologic team in August 2020 and has been a residency mentor since August 2021
**The Residency Program did not admit a 2020-2021 resident due to COVID postponement.**
- Vanessa Lane (2021-2022 Resident)
- Passed NCS examination in March 2023 (first attempt)
- Featured in a Bioness Rehab article entitled, "How One Resident's ACL Injury Led to Her Passionate Career in Physical Therapy"
- Current Clinic Director at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers in Chastain and Alpharetta, GA
- Chelsie Miller (2022-2023 Resident)
- Passed NCS examination in March 2024 (first attempt)
- Successfully completed the Neurologic Clinical Residency Program in August 2023
- Accepted a full-time position at a Novant Health out-patient rehabilitation clinic at Kimel Park in Winston-Salem, NC
- Joined the Novant Health out-patient neurologic team and has been a residency mentor since August 2024
- Madeline Fournier (2023-2024 Resident)
- Began the Neurologic Clinical Residency Program in August 2023 at the Novant Health out-patient rehabilitation clinic at Kimel Park in Winston-Salem, NC
- Successfully completed the Neurologic Clinical Residency Program in August 2024
- Accepted a full-time position at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in acute care in Winston-Salem, NC
- Sat for the NCS examination in March 2025
- Jocelyn Stoner (2024-2025 Resident)
- Began the Neurologic Clinical Residency Program in August 2024 at the Novant Health out-patient rehabilitation clinic at Kimel Park in Winston-Salem, NC
For additional information or questions please contact Dr. Sara Migliarese, Program Director, at 336-750-8968 or migliaresesj@wssu.edu.
Kelly Rowland, DPT- Neurologic Clinical Residency Alum
"...During my DPT program, I really fell in love and grew a passion working with the neurologic population and knew that's who I wanted to work with during my career. I looked into a residency program that would help fast track me on that path to help me focus my skills and elevate them so I could work with that population as quick as possible. I found that with WSSU because of the focus on the clinical skills as well as helping out the underserved community around Winston-Salem..."
Check out this edition of the RamPOD INC. podcast featuring Dr. Vanessa Lane, the 2021-2022 WSSU Neurologic PT Resident:
