Lehigh Valley Health Network Inducts First Acute Care Physical Therapy Resident

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), part of Jefferson Health, is proud to have inducted its first Acute Care Physical Therapy Resident. This innovative new program provides physical therapists with advanced, specialized training in the acute care setting. Recently granted candidacy status by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE), the program aims to become the first accredited acute care residency in Pennsylvania.

“Patients in the hospital are often medically complex and require highly skilled clinicians who can safely mobilize them early in their recovery while navigating complicated medical conditions,” Christopher Johns, PT, manager, Rehabilitation Services says. “This residency helps bridge the gap between entry-level physical therapy education and the advanced skills required in acute hospital practice.”

While physical therapy often takes place after people are discharged from the hospital, physical therapy in the hospital can result in better outcomes. Therapists help people recover from all types of conditions including heart attacks, stroke, brain injuries, burns and more. Early intervention helps with mobility, range of motion, balance and regaining various functions.

“Residents in this program will learn directly from expert clinicians across the full spectrum of acute care physical therapy,” Katelin Ebling, rehabilitation clinical specialist, says, “including cardiopulmonary, neurology, wound care, burn management, oncology, orthopedics, medical-surgical care, critical care and emergency medicine.”

Additionally, the program supports the development of future clinical leaders in acute care physical therapy. Residents will also serve as lab assistants and guest lecturers at DeSales University.

To qualify, applicants must be graduates of a CAPTE–accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program and hold (or be eligible for) an active physical therapy license in Pennsylvania. Candidates should have a strong interest in acute care practice, and a commitment to professional development and evidence-based practice. Being able to thrive in a fast-paced hospital environment is also necessary.

Steven Saba, PT, is the program’s first resident. 

“I was really interested in the opportunity to experience as many different service lines as possible, and receive dedicated mentorship time,” Saba says. “I think by the end of this residency I'll have the ability to effectively treat a broad range of patients and integrate knowledge I've gained from each service line into the others in order to take a wholistic approach to my practice.”

The residency caters to motivated early-career physical therapists who want structured mentorship and advanced clinical training beyond entry-level practice.

It’s ideal for physical therapists who:

• Have a strong interest in hospital-based physical therapy
• Enjoy working with medically complex patients
• Want structured mentorship and advanced training
• Are interested in developing expertise in clinical decision-making in acute care environments
• Aspire to become leaders, educators or clinical specialists in hospital-based practice

The Acute Care Physical Therapy Residency is a well-rounded program designed to fully prepare physical therapists to care for patients in the acute care setting. The curriculum includes:

• 12-month program designed to provide immersive clinical experience while integrating structured learning opportunities
• Mentored clinical practice
• Lectures
• Case discussions
• Journal clubs
• Teaching opportunities
• Guest lecturing and assistant lab instructor opportunities at DeSales University

The residency takes place at a variety of inpatient units at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest and LVHN–Tilghman.

Candidacy status through the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) indicates that the program has met rigorous standards in its structure, curriculum, mentorship model and educational outcomes.

“To achieve candidacy, we have submitted extensive documentation outlining our curriculum, clinical mentoring structure, educational experiences and methods for evaluating resident competency,” Johns says. “We also demonstrate that our program aligns with nationally recognized standards for post-professional physical therapy education.”

Candidacy is a major step toward becoming a fully accredited program.