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 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 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 2020, the WSSU-Novant Neurologic PT Clinical Residency Program is 1 of only 60 accredited Neurologic Residency Programs in 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
- Free housing within walking distance of Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC
- Networking opportunities with local healthcare providers and physicians through grand rounds, neurosurgery and WSSU pro bono clinics
- A growing, motivated team of mentors, including 9 with NCS designation (7 at Novant and 2 at WSSU)
The WSSU-Novant Neurologic PT Clinical Residency Program is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 residency!
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.
Applications will be accepted from February 1st - April 15th, 2022 for the 2022-2023 residency program beginning in August.
Winston-Salem State University offers affordable tuition for three 3-credit courses throughout the program's 12-month curriculum:
In-State: $620.65 per semester (3 semesters = $1,861.95)
Out-of-State: $2,250 per semester (3 semesters = $6,750)
Novant Health will pay residents at a 32 hr/week salary, equaling approximately $48,000.
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.
The Neurologic Clinical Residency Program is proud to report that Kelly Rowland, 2019-2020 resident, passed her NCS examination on her first attempt in March 2021 (100% passage rate for the program)! Kelly also has a poster accepted for presentation at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in February 2022 entitled, "Effects of Social Determinants of Health on Discharge Location from an Acute Neurological Facility". Kelly joined the Novant out-patient neurologic team as a full-time clinician 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.
However, in August 2021, the program accepted Vanessa Lane, PT, DPT as the 2021-2022 neurologic resident!
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..."
