Women’s Health Physical Therapy Residency
The Johns Hopkins Women’s Health Physical Therapy Residency aims to provide educational and clinical experiences that foster the development of patient-centered clinicians and educators who utilize evidence-based practice and sound clinical and inter-professional communication to deliver outstanding care in women's health physical therapy. In this way, we are committed to increasing the number of highly skilled women's health physical therapy clinicians for the community, quality educators and mentors for the physical therapy profession and clinicians who are involved in scholarly activity and research within the field of women's health.
Duration: 13 months
Accreditation: ABPTRFE Accredited
Apply through RF-PTCAS
Application deadline: December 29, 2024
Interview decision: January 6, 2025
Interviews: January 2025 (Date TBD)
Program start: July 14, 2025
Clinic locations: The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center – Green Spring Station and The George Washington University (non-clinical site; teaching experience)
Prerequisites: applicant must be a graduate of an accredited physical therapy program, be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the PMR department and hold a valid Maryland physical therapist license or be eligible to obtain one. Please note the FSBPT licensure exam must be taken by April 2025 to be able to enter the 2025/2026 cohort.
Number of graduates: 8
Completion rate: 100%
First-time specialty exam pass rate: 100%
View financial fact sheet
Please click the pay application link to pay the supplementary $50 application fee. Application will not be processed until the fee is received and application is complete. All fees are non-refundable.
Program Features
The residency will provide exposure to various pelvic floor dysfunctions and treatment methods among several patient populations, including women, men, transgender individuals, pregnancy/postpartum patients, as well as oncology, neurology, and sports medicine/orthopaedic patient populations. Learning and professional development opportunities include:
- Receiving more than 150 hours of one-on-one clinical mentorship with board-certified clinicians.
- Obtaining 1,500 hours of clinical practice.
- Attending the Academy of Pelvic Health Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy (CAPP) series that will be held at Johns Hopkins to enable submission for CAPP-Pelvic certification prior to completion of residency.
- Attending orthopaedic continuing education modules offered at Johns Hopkins with focus on evaluation and manual treatment skills of the lumbar spine, pelvic girdle and hip.
- Integrating with the Johns Hopkins orthopaedic and sports residency programs, including dedicated time with an orthopaedic residency mentor during the first trimester.
- Training with lymphedema therapists.
- Shadowing various procedures and surgeries with referring providers in urogynecology, gastroenterology, transgender clinics, etc.
- Participating in research activities and clinical practice guideline development.
- Serving as an instructor and lab assistant in an entry-level physical therapy program program and physical therapy assistant program.
- Attending the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting.
- Participating in community and interdepartmental engagement through journal clubs and in-service presentations.
Residency Program Director
Nora Arnold, PT, DPT, WCS
Residency Coordinator
Madeline Urban, PT, DPT, WCS
Current Residents | Class of 2025
Morgan Baxter, PT, DPT
She/her/hers
Undergraduate school and degree: UCLA, bachelor’s in physiological sciences
Graduate school and degree: Duke University, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
Professional interests: pelvic health, sexual dysfunction, LGBTQ+ affirming care
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose this program because it emphasizes orthopedics as the foundation for pelvic health PT and for the opportunity to work with and learn from such talented and welcoming mentors.
What I like about Baltimore: I love being able to run along the water, the walkability of the area, and the great sports/running community here.
Hanna Newstadt, PT, DPT
She/her/hers
Undergraduate school and degree: Washington University in St. Louis, bachelor’s in chemical engineering
Graduate school and degree: Drexel University, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Professional interests: chronic pain, trauma-informed care, pre/postpartum care, dyspareunia, gender affirming care
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because I was eager to learn from the passionate, dedicated, expert clinicians who work here. I was also excited about the program's strong orthopedic foundation, teaching opportunities, and collaboration with the Center for Transgender and Gender Expansive Health.
Program Alumni
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Kianna Stiffler, PT, DPT
She/her/hers
Undergraduate school and degree: Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, bachelor’s in clinical health studies
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Professional interests: sexual dysfunction, gender-affirming Care, pre/post-partum care
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I like the orthopedic and pelvic focus to start, as I believe it’s important to be a good generalist in conjunction to being a good specialist. I also value the strong connection the residency program has to the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender and Gender Expansive Health, as this is one of my top professional interests. Lastly, once I had my interview, the PT staff atmosphere was immaculate, and I knew it was the best fit for me.
What I like about Baltimore: Living near the waterfront and being just a few minutes-worth of a walk to the best restaurants, parks, museums, and harbor views Baltimore has to offer! Every neighborhood has its own vibe, so it's fun immersing myself in each new neighborhood I explore.
Janelle Oduro-Adjei, PT, DPT
She/her/hers
Undergraduate school and degree: Northeastern University, bachelor's in rehabilitation science
Hometown: Worcester, Massachusetts
Professional interests: black maternal health, equity in health care, postpartum care, mental health
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose this program because of the access to resources that would help illuminate the intersection of pelvic health and maternal health. This program provides a platform to support marginalized groups with quality care.
What I like about Baltimore: Two words: the food! I am drawn to cities like Baltimore that have an eclectic collection of food places. Along the inner harbor the urban yet suburban mix of residential spaces makes for a lovely stroll. -
Leah Aviles, PT, DPT
Undergraduate school and degree: California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, bachelor’s in kinesiology
Graduate school and degree: San Diego State University, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: San Luis Obispo, California
Professional interests: pelvic health, public health, pregnancy, postpartum physical therapy
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because they are leaders in specialty care and interdisciplinary care, which are dreams come true for any provider or patient.
What I like about Baltimore: Crab cakes, oh my.
Katie Knox, PT, DPT
Undergraduate school and degree: University of Vermont, bachelor's in latin and elementary education
Graduate school and degree: University of New England, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Newton, Connecticut
Professional interests: pelvic health, sexual dysfunction, gender affirmative care, trauma informed care
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins for the extensive and diverse mentorship, research and teaching opportunities, and the curricular emphasis on orthopedic skills
What I like about Baltimore: Baltimore is a city with character, delicious food, and rich history. I have been enjoying exploring Baltimore as well as the surrounding cities. -
Sarah Cline, PT, DPT
Undergraduate school and degree: University of California, Berkeley, bachelor’s in integrative biology with a minor in anthropology
Graduate school and degree: Franklin Pierce University, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Los Gatos, California
Professional interests: pelvic health, canine physical therapy, equity in health care
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose this program because of the opportunities to participate in treatment, research and education. Johns Hopkins has the ability to provide residents with incredible mentorship, which was what I was looking for after graduate school. Finally, I love the emphasis on developing a strong orthopedic background and being an expert at the basics.
What I like about Baltimore: Baltimore offers delicious food, beautiful views and some of the loveliest people. I have loved learning about the area, while also having so much proximity to other fantastic cities!
Kellie Davis, PT, DPT
Undergraduate school and degree: University of Georgia, bachelor’s in health and physical education
Graduate school and degree: Emory University, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Leesburg, Georgia
Professional interests: sexual dysfunction, postpartum return to activity, yoga
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Johns Hopkins because of the variety of mentorship and the people. After meeting everyone during the interview, I knew I would be inspired and learn so much from the people here. -
Madeline Urban, PT, DPT
She/her/hers
Undergraduate school and degree: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, bachelor’s in psychology
Graduate school and degree: Washington University in St. Louis, doctorate in physical therapy
Hometown: Wilmette, Illinois
Professional interests: postpartum return to activity, bowel health/constipation, dyspareunia
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose this program because of the mentorship offered from a variety of clinicians specializing in different areas.
What I like about Baltimore: I love being able to run outside along the Inner Harbor. -
L. Teasley, PT, DPT
They/them/theirs
Undergraduate school and degree: University of California, Los Angeles, bachelor’s in physiological sciences, French and Francophone studies
Graduate school and degree: University of Southern California, doctorate in physical therapy
Professional interests: The interaction of visceral disorders with pelvic floor function; sexual dysfunction; informed care for the transgender population
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: Johns Hopkins is an innovator in the world of health care. I aspire to capitalize on the unique resources available through Johns Hopkins to advance pelvic floor therapy research and promote best practices for treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction. In particular, I hope to grow the body of knowledge for informed care for the transgender population, in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health.
What I like about Baltimore: Baltimore is endearingly strange, delightfully spooky, and heavy on art and kitsch. It is also a city that desperately needs dedicated practitioners who want to settle down and really invest in its growth. I am drawn to making a difference here in Charm City.