We continue to see strong interest in physical therapy residencies among our graduates. The recent Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Class of 2026 celebrated an impressive milestone, with ten students accepted into residency programs across Florida and throughout the United States. This achievement reflects the sustained enthusiasm among our students for pursuing advanced training opportunities—an effort we have intentionally encouraged and supported in recent years.
This growing interest comes as no surprise to our faculty and staff, given our program’s steadfast commitment to fostering lifelong learning and our students’ dedication to becoming the best clinicians possible. We firmly believe that education and professional growth are continuous pursuits that extend well beyond graduation.
Our program maintains a strong tradition of supporting post-graduate opportunities, including our collaborative Tampa Bay Physical Therapy Residency Showcase. Now in its fourth year, this event brings together students from the University of South Florida, Florida Southern College, Nova Southeastern University (Tampa), and Gannon University (Ruskin) to engage with residency programs and explore diverse career pathways. This year’s showcase reached a record milestone, hosting thirteen residency programs representing a wide array of settings, including VA hospitals, outpatient and inpatient facilities, and specialties such as geriatrics, neurology, orthopaedics, pediatrics, and more. These programs not only present their opportunities but also emphasize the value and impact of residency education.
We were especially excited to launch our accelerated track within the USF Health Orthopaedic Residency Program. This innovative option allows students to begin accumulating clinical hours and gaining valuable experience prior to graduation and licensure, ultimately enabling them to complete the residency sooner. This spring, two of our third year students began this program and will complete the residency in less than a year after graduation!
In addition, our program offers regular “Lunch and Learn” sessions, providing students with valuable insight into the residency application process and the benefits of advanced training. These sessions are often led by USF Health Physical Therapy Residency faculty and experienced mentors, offering firsthand perspectives and guidance.
Below are the ten residency acceptances for this year:
- Masen Beck – Geriatrics Residency – James A Haley VA
- Morgan Caron – AdventHealth Sports Med & Rehab – Ortho Residency Orlando
- Joseph Dotson - Neuro Residency – James A Haley VA Hospital
- Jacob Dudek – Sports Residency – Howard Head Sports Medicine – Vail, CO
- Jacob Ely – Ortho Residency – PT Solutions
- Lauren Hawk – Neuro Residency – James A Haley VA Hospital
- Cole Kramer – Ortho Residency – USF Health
- Gregory Lehr – Accelerated Ortho Residency – USF Health
- Chase Parrott - Accelerated Ortho Residency – USF Health
- Austin Van Kley – Ortho Residency – New Orleans VA Hospital
To learn more about physical therapy residency programs visit: https://abptrfe.apta.org/