Physical Therapy Neurologic Residency Program
The Milwaukee VA Medical Center (Zablocki) Neurologic Residency Program was established in 2009 and is the oldest post-graduate Physical Therapy Residency Program in the VA system. The program is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency & Fellowship Education as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists in neurology.
Our program strives to provide residents with:
- High-quality didactic programming on foundational principles of neurologic clinical practice as outlined in the Description of Residency Practice in Neurology.
- Advanced mentoring in neurologic clinical practice with master clinicians.
- Opportunities for the residents to educate others about neurologic disorders, their evaluation and treatment.
- Research exposure through scholarly activities.
The Milwaukee VA Medical Center Neurologic Residency Program selects three candidates from a large pool of applicants annually. Residents rotate through three areas of clinical practice: Inpatient Acute Care/Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders and Outpatient Neurologic Clinic.
Program design is in accordance with American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education Guidelines. This includes 32 hours/week of clinical treatment with Veterans with neurologic diagnosis. Additionally, the program also collaborates with other outside sites to improve the resident’s exposure to neurologic patient populations not commonly seen at the VA.
Residents participate in four hours of mentorship a week with expert clinicians and didactic education at the Zablocki VAMC, as well as additional experiences including, but not limited to: rounding, specialty clinics, interdisciplinary team participation, staff in-service presentations and clinical education.
Residents are expected to participate in teaching opportunities, journal club sessions, provide in-service presentations to VA staff and are encouraged to attend American Physical Therapy Association's Combined Section Meeting. Funding to attend CSM is not provided, but authorized absence will be granted.
Upon successful completion of the residency, a graduate is qualified to apply and sit for the APTA Neurologic Clinical Specialty examination. The Milwaukee VAMC Neurological Residency Program has an overall NCS exam pass rate of 100 percent.
Our Mission
To prepare physical therapy residents for advanced specialty practice. The program cultivates high-level neurologic physical therapists who integrate the teacher-scholar model into their clinical practice. Through neurologic clinical experiences under the mentorship of master clinicians, along with didactic learning experiences in neurology including teaching, the program develops advanced physical therapy practitioners who care for the whole patient, embodying the spirit of cura personalis
Program Outcomes 2022-2025
- Residents Admitted: 41 (current cohort: 3)
- Residents Graduated: 36
- First Attempt NCS Pass Rate: 97%
- Overall NCS Pass Rate: 100%
- Graduate retention within VA: 44% (16 of 36 graduates)
Employment Benefits
- Stipend - one year temporary appointment
- Health insurance
- Paid leave days: 13.5 annual, 13.5 sick, 12 observed federal holidays
- Authorized absence for teaching opportunities and for approved continuing education
- Personal workstation, access to office supplies
- Research librarians available on site
- Medical Media services onsite
Applicant Minimal Requirements
- Be a citizen of the United States of America due to employment requirements by the Veterans Health Administration.
- Be a graduate of or demonstrate imminent graduation from an accredited physical therapy program recognized by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
- Be fully licensed by any state in the union to practice Physical Therapy. If the candidate is a student at the time of application, the applicant must successfully take and pass the licensure exam or be scheduled to sit for the July test date.
- Be American Heart Association Basic Life Support certified
- Not be on probation or under a learning contract at their current facility or program.
- Demonstrate evidence of neurologic interest and pursuit of additional training/experiences in this area.
The U.S. government is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, membership in employee organizations or other non-merit factors.
Application Process
The applicant will submit a completed application portfolio through the RF-PTCAS system https://rfptcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login which will include:
- Completed residency application form with resume.
- Transcripts of entry-level physical therapy education.
- State license number or plan for obtaining prior to the residency start date.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to their clinical skills.
- Response to three essay questions.
Important Dates
- Application deadline: First week of January
- Interview date: mid- to late February
- Admission decision date: Mid-March
- Program start date: First week of July
* Dates are approximate and may be subject to change
About the Veterans Health Administration
“To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” -- Abraham Lincoln
The mission of the VHA is to improve the health of the served veteran population by providing primary care, specialty care, extended care and related social support services in an integrated health care delivery system.
The vision of the VHA will continue to be the benchmark of excellence and value in health care and benefits by providing exemplary services that are both patient-centered and evidence based. This care will be delivered by engaged, collaborative teams in an integrated environment that supports learning, discovery and continuous improvement. It will emphasize prevention and population health and contribute to the nation's well-being through education, research and service in national emergencies.
About the Milwaukee VA Medical Center
The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center (ZVAMC) is a 1A (the highest) complexity facility serving over 64,000 unique Veterans in 17 counties in southeastern Wisconsin. The facility includes 431 total beds and provides physical therapy services in acute care, rehabilitation, community living center, spinal cord injury/disorder and outpatient care.
In 2024, ZVAMC had 6,571 hospital admissions and over 818,400 outpatient visits. In 2024, the ZVAMC PT Department completed 17,000 consults and over 77,600 Veteran encounters.
The Zablocki VAMC is located on 245 acres just west of Milwaukee, Wis. Originally established in 1867, we are one of the oldest VA sites in the country. Our extensive grounds house both modern and historical buildings alike for patient care and general facility operations.
The current Zablocki VA Medical Center opened in 1966. It was named in honor of the late U.S. Rep. Clement J. Zablocki, a strong supporter of legislation benefiting Veterans. “Old Main” still stands on the Milwaukee VA grounds, and its likeness is an emblem for our facility. Though deteriorating conditions led to its closure in 1989, years of fundraising and organizational collaborations led to a complete renovation of the building. It reopened in 2021 as permanent housing for Veterans at risk of homelessness.
Contact
Christina Kowalski
Milwaukee VA Neurologic Residency Program Director
Christina.kowalski@va.gov