Acute Care Physical Therapy Residency
The Johns Hopkins Hospital and University of Delaware Acute Care Physical Therapy Residency focuses on the rehabilitation of complex patients in the acute care setting. The residency features intense learning, leadership and broad clinical exposure to medically complex patients across the continuum in a hospital. This residency accomplishes in a year what may otherwise take many years to achieve professionally. A one-of-a-kind collaborative clinical practice, concentrated didactics and classroom teaching opportunities will prepare you to practice at a high level in the acute care setting. It also prepares you for early candidacy and subsequent promotion along the clinical ladder beyond the level of peers without specialty residency experience.
Duration: 12 months
Accreditation: ABPTRFE Accredited
Apply through RF-PTCAS
Application deadline: February 1, 2026
Interview decision: Mid to Late March
Interview: Late February/Early March
Program start: Late August/Early September
Prerequisites: applicant must be a graduate from an accredited physical therapy program (new graduates are accepted), hold a valid Maryland physical therapist license or be eligible to obtain one, hold a current CPR certification through the American Heart Association and be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the PMR department.
Number of graduates: 11 graduates since 2015
Completion Rate: 92%
Graduation rate: 100%
First-time specialty exam pass rate: N/A
View program flyer | View financial fact sheet
Please click the pay application link to pay the supplementary application fee. Application will not be processed until the fee is received and application is complete. All fees are non-refundable.
Program Features
- Vast clinical exposure with 2–3 month rotations on all adult acute care service lines. Including rotations on the general medicine, ED, cardiac, surgical, neurologic and oncology floors.
- 3+ hours/week of 1:1 mentorship with clinical experts. Including 20+ weeks of mentored practice across 7 critical care units.
- 32 scheduled hours of direct patient care/week
- 500+ hours of didactic curriculum
- Mentored time as a lab assist in acute care courses at University of Delaware.
- Mentored participation in research and quality improvement projects with opportunities for publication and presentation at local and national conferences.
Residency Program Director
Gabrielle Steinhorn, PT, DPT, ABPTS
Program Director
Medicine and Neurosciences Clinical Mentor
Email: [email protected]
Residency Faculty
Brad McCarty PT, DPT
Rachel Slusher PT, DPT
Paul Ricard PT, DPT, ABPTS
Cardiac Rotation Clinical Mentor
Sean Duffy PT, DPT
Residency Alumni
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Lena Cook, PT, DPT
She/her/hers
Undergraduate school: California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, bachelor's in kinesiology and health promotion
Graduate school: University of California, San Francisco/San Francisco State University, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Victorville, California
Professional interests: critical care, cardiopulmonary, clinical research, becoming an effective educator
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose the Johns Hopkins acute care residency to further develop my skills as a clinician in an environment known for evidence-based, patient-centered care, supported by its renowned interdisciplinary team. I am also interested in expanding my knowledge of early mobility practices in critical care settings.
What I like about Baltimore: Lots of great food and places to explore. I'm looking forward to finding new places to run and hike while I'm here! -
Kelsey Florian, PT, DPT
Undergraduate school: Taylor University, bachelor's in exercise science
Graduate school: Grand Valley State University, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Baroda, Michigan
Professional interests: critical care, neurologic, clinical research
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: The Hopkins program offers an extensive mentorship program that strives to improve the resident's clinical decision-making skills. This program also includes a variety of teaching, functional-based research and clinical experiences.
What I like about Baltimore: I have not lived in Baltimore before, but I am looking forward to exploring new hiking locations and running trails! -
Lydia Vincent, PT, DPT
Undergraduate school: Bob Jones University, bachelor's in health science
Graduate school: University of Indianapolis, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina
Professional interests: solid organ transplant, critical care, educating future therapists and patients effectively, clinical research
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose the Johns Hopkins acute care residency to further develop my skills as a clinician in patient care, mentorship and research in an environment known for excellent collaborative care with exceptional patient outcomes. I love the diverse patient population served at Hopkins and the opportunities for mentorship across the whole continuum of the acute care setting.
What I like about Baltimore: Food scene, being near the water, all the hiking/running places, super close to a lot of neat places to explore! -
Caitlin Gopie, PT, DPT
Undergraduate school: Oregon State University, bachelor's in kinesiology
Graduate school: Columbia University, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: New Port Richey, Florida
Professional interests: cardiopulmonary, neurological and geriatric physical therapy
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose John Hopkins because I want to pursue the specific learning and knowledge opportunities this program offers in order to allow for me to grow as a clinician and make an impact on the field of physical therapy.
What I like about Baltimore: I am moving to Baltimore for this program and am excited to explore the area! -
Robert Kupsho, PT, DPT
Undergraduate school: Lebanon Valley College, bachelor's in biology
Graduate school: Lebanon Valley College, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Professional interests: educating future therapists, performing clinical research, the role of cognitive behavioral therapy in treating chronic illness
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I wanted the opportunity to advance my professional career quickly in a fast-paced medical environment with mentorship from experienced clinicians, and to learn at an institution with a robust reputation for excellent patient care quality. -
Heather Littier, PT, DPT
Undergraduate school: Virginia Tech; bachelor's in animal and poultry sciences and master's in dairy sciences with a focus on antibiotic resistance and antibiotic stewardship
Graduate school: Marymount University; doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Blacksburg, Virginia
Professional interests: critical care, research, and educating future physical therapists
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with clinicians who practice at the highest level in the acute care setting, the diversity of the patient population, and the teaching and research components of the residency
What I like about Baltimore: There’s always something to do and so many new places to explore – and it’s very dog friendly! -
Stephanie Hiser, PT, DPT
Stephanie also completed our critical care fellowship. Read her Q&A about her experience with both programs.
Undergraduate school: Lipscomb University; bachelor’s in exercise science
Graduate school: University of Miami; doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Glasgow, Kentucky
Professional interests: clinical research on critically ill patients
What I like about Baltimore: the variety of restaurants
