Excellence in Clinical Education – Residency Training in Orthopedics and Neurology

We are LIVE EVERY DAY.  Our mission is to empower patients to achieve and preserve extraordinary physical & mental health through sound clinical practice & exemplary bed-side manner. We provide an exceptional clinical experience while creating an atmosphere and culture of life improvement for our patients and employees alike. LIVE EVERY DAY is more than a medical practice; It is a way of life. With our mission in mind, we see the need to give our time, share our expertise, and help to harvest the next wave of professionals into the rehabilitation field. Therefore, we are excited to share the details of both of our residency programs, in Orthopaedics and Neurology.

The Residency is housed within LIVE EVERY DAY, affiliated with Springfield College, with a mission to create an experience for the resident that combines structured learning opportunities with promoting an atmosphere and culture of life improvement for patients. Upon completion of the program, the resident will be a leader in service to the community with clinical and didactic knowledge as a framework for becoming an advanced practitioner in orthopaedic or neuro physical therapy. Each Program consists of modules designed to meet the criteria outlined in each of the Neuro & Orthopaedic Description of Specialty Practice to prepare the resident for successful completion of the Clinical Specialty exam. Some highlights of The Program include:


(Directors of Residency)

Patient-centered care. Our model is unique. With a focus on patient-first care, our systematic approach with one-on-one treatments places our care above the rest. Our population consists of a variety of patients with mulitple diagnoses, from infants to the elderly. With nearly 40% of our referrals through direct access, The Program offers the Resident the ability to play an integral role in evaluating and diagnosing to determine the appropriate plan of care with autonomy.

Culture. We are committed to creating healthier bodies, lives and communities. This starts with our staff. During our weekly “Culture Tuesday” meetings, we cover topics ranging from evidence-based practice, in-services, community outreach and team building activities that encourage professional and personal development. Our clinician backgrounds are robust and diverse, with a clinical staff of 12 including a Board Certified Orthotist/Prosthetist and 6 Board Certified Clinical Specialists. Our clinicians will act as mentors, cultivating an environment through ongoing dialog to develop critical thinking and decision making skills.

Teaching and Leadership Opportunities. As leaders in clinical education, the clinicians at LIVE EVERY DAY host/attend quarterly journal clubs, teach as adjunct professors, all hats that the Resident will wear. Residents will take on guest lectures at Springfield College providing lecture and laboratory based skill instruction to entry-level DPT students. The Resident will guide students participating in integrated clinical experience by providing meaningful discussion and learning in the clinical setting. These roles will prepare the Resident to become a leader in orthopaedic physical therapy practice.

Compensation and Benefits. The Resident will receive a salary compensation equivalent to an entry-level physical therapist. Additional benefits including PTO, holiday/sick leave, health and disability insurance, and professional liability insurance. Benefits specific to the Residency include: APTA membership, OCS/NCS application and test fees, APTA Credentialed CI Training course fees, Annual APTA Conference attendance, and additional CEU benefit up to $1500 for module specific coursework.

Historical Program Metrics: The Neuro Residency Program is slated to accept it’s first resident Summer 2021.  The Orthopedic Residency program enters its 5th year; 1 current resident 2020-21, 2 residents have successfully completed and graduated since initial accreditation in 2018, both graduates remain employed full-time at LIVE EVERY DAY and are leaders in the practice as clinical instructors taking at least 3 students per year since graduation, 1 graduate successfully complete OCS exam in 2019, 1 resident was enrolled and dropped out of the program in 2019-2020 citing difficulty with the rigor and high clinical excellence expectations.

The Program is accredited through the ABPTRFE through September 2023 and is currently in the reaccreditation stage to meet the criteria for accreditation by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education for the American Physical Therapy Association. The Program is 15 months in duration, with a start date in June through August the following year. The Residency is housed within LIVE EVERY DAY, affiliated with Springfield College with a mission to create an experience for the resident that combines structured learning opportunities with promoting an atmosphere and culture of life improvement for patients. Upon completion of the program, the resident will be a leader in service to the community with clinical and didactic knowledge as a framework for becoming an advanced practitioner in orthopedic physical therapy. The Program consists of 6 modules designed to meet the criteria outlined in the Orthopedic Description of Specialty Practice to prepare the resident for successful completion of the Orthopedic Clinical Specialty exam. Some highlights of The Program include:

Patient-centered care. Our model is unique. With a focus on patient-first care, our systematic approach with one-on-one treatments places our care above the rest. Our population consists of a variety of patients with orthopedic diagnoses, from infants to the elderly. With nearly 40% of our referrals through direct access, The Program offers the Resident the ability to play an integral role in evaluating and diagnosing to determine the appropriate plan of care with autonomy.

Admissions Criteria
The following items are prerequisites for an individual to meet in order to gain acceptance into The LIVE EVERY DAY Residency Program:

  • Graduate of a CAPTE accredited physical therapy program and/or a graduate degree from a US based Regionally Accredited program.
  • Proof of licensure (or temporary licensure) to practice physical therapy in CT 
  • Meet all eligibility requirements to be employed as a practicing physical therapist within LIVE EVERY DAY.
  • Applicants are required to submit a list of physical therapy continuing education courses that they have attended over the last five years.
  • Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae including all history of professional physical therapy training as well as any post professional education (formal and/or informal).
  • Demonstrate interest in further professional development and the list of continuing education courses submitted within the Residency Application.
  • Demonstrate that they are eligible for membership within APTA
  • Applicants are required to provide references from two physical therapists with one being from a PT academician who was one of the applicant’s instructors. 
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of physical therapy
  • Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, neurology, neuroanatomy, general and abnormal psychology, group dynamics, human development, pharmacology
  • Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures
  • Considerable knowledge of community resources
  • Considerable interpersonal skills
  • Considerable oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to instruct others in principles and practices of physical therapy
  • Ability to gain confidence, interest, and cooperation of physically, mentally and/or developmentally disabled clients
  • Considerable ability to plan and implement a comprehensive physical therapy program.

Program Metrics

With the incoming 2023-2024 cohort, The Orthopedic Residency program enters its 7th year and has 2 residents enrolled for 2023-2024. The current cohort for 2022-2023 has 1 resident enrolled who is on track to graduate in August 2023 and will sit for the OCS Exam in Feb/March 2024.

Since initial accreditation in 2018, 5 residents have successfully completed and graduated from the program, 4 graduates remain employed full-time at LIVE EVERY DAY and are leaders in the practice as clinical instructors taking at least 3 students per year since graduation and act as adjunct faculty at Springfield College, 4 graduates have successfully completed the OCS exam.