Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency

This residency program designed in collaboration with The George Washington University prepares residents to apply for the orthopaedic specialty certification and positions them for advancement along the clinical ladder. Through our 13-month residency program with one-on-one mentoring, residents will advance their ability in examination, evaluation and plan of care development for patients with musculoskeletal-related impairments. The program will challenge residents' clinical reasoning and effectiveness as educators within both a clinical and academic setting.

Duration: 13 months
Accreditation: ABPTRFE Accredited
Apply through RF-PTCAS 
Application period: September 15 - December 29, 2026
Interviews: TBD
Interview decision: January 8, 2027
Program start: July 26, 2027
Clinic locations: Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center – Green Spring Station, Musculoskeletal Center at Columbia, Coppermine Health & Fitness Center in Timonium, Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center – Odenton, Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - White Marsh and The George Washington University (non-clinical site; teaching experience)
Prerequisites: applicant must be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the PMR department.
Number of graduates: 43 graduates since 2013
Completion rate: 98%
First-time specialty exam pass rate: 97%
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.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected].

Program Features

The residency includes the following units:

  • Intensive classroom and independent study modules
  • Experience treating in an outpatient orthopaedic setting
  • One-on-one clinical mentoring by board-certified orthopaedic specialists
  • Opportunities to serve as an instructor in an entry-level physical therapy program

Curriculum

  • Obtaining 1,500 hours of independent clinical practice: all residents provide direct patient care as Johns Hopkins employees on average at least 28 hours/week over 56 weeks.
  • 357 hours of didactic education:
    • 136 hours of classroom/lab instruction
      • 96 hours: 4x3-day didactic weekends
      • 40 hours: weekly lecture/labs throughout the year 
    • 221 hours of independent study.
  • 250 hours as a classroom/teaching assistant at The George Washington University: 2-8 hour days/week instructing entry-level physical therapy students in facilitating competencies (variability dependent upon semester, course and academic calendar).
  • 200 hours of 1:1 mentorship: 150 hours supervision while treating patients and 50 hours of academic mentorship.
  • Additional learning opportunities as assigned: physician shadowing, journal club and transdisciplinary educational sessions.

Residency Program Director

Ryan Cummings, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

headshot of Ryan Cummings

Program Faculty

Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center – Green Spring Station

Coppermine Health & Fitness Center in Timonium

Musculoskeletal Center at Columbia

Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center – Odenton

Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center – White Marsh

Current Residents | Class of 2027

Matt Barbo, PT, DPT

Undergraduate school: University of North Carolina at Greensboro, bachelor's in english
Graduate school: University of Vermont, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Westchester, New York
Professional interests: orthopedic physical therapy, sports rehabilitation and performance, and tactical athletes. I hope to continue developing my clinical reasoning and expertise, pursue board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and remain open to where my career and interests take me next.
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because of its strong emphasis on evidence-based orthopedic practice, mentorship, and clinical development. I was especially drawn to the opportunity to learn from highly experienced clinicians who challenge you to think critically, push your clinical reasoning, and continually grow while gaining exposure to a wide range of complex orthopedic conditions.
What I like about Baltimore: I’ve enjoyed the energy and character of Baltimore, along with the access to climbing gyms, outdoor activities, and the waterfront. I’ve also enjoyed exploring the different neighborhoods, coffee shops, restaurants, and everything else the city has to offer.

Headshot of Matt Barbo

Mackenzie Whittaker, PT, DPT

Undergraduate school: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, bachelor's in exercise science
Graduate school: Duke University School of Medicine, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Barrington, Rhode Island
Professional interests: I am passionate about orthopedics because it provides the foundation for becoming a true musculoskeletal expert. My goal is to grow into an evidence-based primary care provider who can help patients navigate musculoskeletal conditions effectively and advocate for greater access to physical therapy to reduce delays in care.
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because its training environment aligns with my long-term goal of pursuing an orthopedic residency after graduation. The program’s structured mentorship and didactic curriculum complement my learning style and will support my growth as a clinician. I also value the opportunity to teach, and the collaboration with George Washington University provides a unique integrated faculty-residency experience with 260 hours of adjunct instruction.

Headshot of MacKenzie Whittaker

Sophie Willihnganz, PT, DPT

She/her

Undergraduate school: Warren Wilson College, bachelor's in biology and psychology
Graduate school: University of Birmingham, M.Sc. in Trauma Science  and University of Wisconsin, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Professional interests: As a PT and paramedic, my professional interests are to combine physical therapy and EMS. To that end, my career goals are to specialize in early rehabilitation of patients with complex polytraumatic injuries or amputations while responding to sudden-onset disasters in remote or austere environments.
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose a residency program with Johns Hopkins because of the hospital system’s core values and reputation for excellent patient care, and because of the opportunities to collaboratively learn from other multi-disciplinary experts in amputation, limb loss, and prosthetic care while I become an orthopedic specialist. I also chose Hopkins because my interview didn’t feel like an interrogation, it felt like an invitation, and since they put that kind of care and consideration into the interview process, I knew the residency program had to be the same.

Headshot of Sophie Willihnganz

Program Alumni

Logo of ABPTRFE accredited program