The RIM’s Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program curriculum is delivered in a variety of modes, including online learning modules, in-person lectures, assigned readings and journal articles, participation in journal clubs and experiential learning with interdisciplinary team members, including physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning specialist, sports psychologists, sports nutritionist, orthotists and others.
Residents will contribute to and skillfully implement evidence-based clinical practice through research and educational opportunities within the program. They will share their knowledge and expertise professionally and ethically with fellow clinicians and the athletic community they serve.

Program Information

Name of Program: The Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Sports Residency

Physical Address: 261 Mack Avenue Detroit Michigan 48201

Program Hours

Educational Hours: 340 Educational Hours

Patient-Care Clinic / Practice Hours (inclusive of mentoring): 1660

Mentoring Hours: 170 mentoring hours

Program Travel

Please indicate if participants are required to travel greater than 50 miles for any aspect of patient-care clinic/practice hours (does not include daily commute): No

Please indicate if participants are required to travel greater than 50 miles for any aspect of educational hours: No

Participant Costs

The program will provide all costs associated with this program.

Program Sponsored Financial Assistance

The program will provide any financial assistance provided to participants./p>

Program Information

This information can be found on the ABPTRFE Online Directory

Program Structure

Program Type: Multi-Site

Program Format: Full-Time

Program Length: 12 months

2^nd Program Format: Full-Time

2^nd Program Length: Enter the anticipated program start date.

Number of Participant Positions Each Calendar Year: 1

Program Applicant Information

Application Deadline Date: November 15, 2024

Program Start Date: March 3, 2025

2^nd Application Deadline Date (if applicable): Enter the anticipated program start date.

Program 2^nd Start Date: Enter the anticipated program start date.

3^rd Application Deadline Date (if applicable): Enter the 3^rd program application deadline date, if applicable

Program 3^rd Start Date: Enter the 3^rd program start date, if applicable.

4^th Application Deadline Date (if applicable): Enter the 4^th program application deadline date, if applicable

Program 4^th Start Date: Enter the 4^th program start date, if applicable.

Format for Educational Hours: Both in-person and remote

Affiliated Practice Site Locations: Both close proximity and distant sites

Mentor Appointment to Faculty: Mentors identified by program

Mentor Accessibility: On-site

Applicant Financial Considerations

The applicant will consider the following related to their finances.

Applicant Financial Debt Summary

The applicant will utilize the total program costs, total program financial assistance, and total participant financial consideration, along with their current debt to calculate the cost-benefit ration of completing this program.

Application Procedures and Selection Criteria

The Department of Rehabilitation Orthopedics and Sports seeks to cultivate a diverse Sports Medicine community by meeting the training needs of residents of diverse backgrounds, and increase awareness of diversity by offering clinical, educational, and research experience involving a diverse faculty, rehabilitation hospital staff, and patient population. Those applicants who are members of populations that are under-represented are encouraged to identify themselves as such. Trainees are covered by Detroit Medical Center policies.

Policy HR.EHP.01

"Tenet’s success requires that the best people choose to work with us. Inclusive practices ensure we can attract and retain the best people. Tenet believes in the principles behind the Equal Employment Opportunity and its related policies and regulation. To provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Tenet are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Tenet will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship." 

"The Tenet Corporation is also aware of the value of team members communicating diverse viewpoints in contributing to patient care, as described in the Code of Conduct and Careers websites"

How to Apply

Potential Candidate Requirements

Applicants to the program must meet the following requirements:

• Have graduated from DPT or graduated from an accredited physical therapy program
• Hold or be eligible for a Michigan Physical Therapy License
• Have a minimum of 240 hours (6-week clinical rotation) as a student or clinician in an orthopedic/sports PT setting
• APTA member
• Submit an application through RF-PTCAS
• Submit two letters of recommendation (1 from a current or past supervisor)
• Submit current curriculum vitae
• Submit a personal statement

Selected applicants will be invited to complete the interview process in the fall/early winter.

Applications

For those interested in applying to the program, please submit all materials as attachments and email them to [email protected].

The faculty for the Sports Physical Therapy Residency will consist of a number of therapists from RIM’s staff. The faculty is made up of content experts and ABPTS board-certified specialists. Meet some of our faculty:

Laura Ramus, PT, ATC - Program Director

Laura is currently a physical therapist for RIM and medical director for the WNBA Las Vegas Aces. She has 35 years of experience treating orthopedic/sports medicine injuries in professional, Olympic, collegiate, high school and amateur athletes. Laura shares this wisdom by teaching advanced sports medicine techniques to professionals around the world. 

Laura received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, in 1987. She then completed a fellowship in sports medicine through the University of North Carolina and Health South Rehabilitation Corporation, receiving her certification as an athletic trainer in 1990. During this fellowship, Laura trained under prominent orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews and well-known physical therapist Kevin Wilk in Birmingham, AL. Laura was an athletic trainer at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, and for the 1994 United States Paralympic swim team. She worked in 2015/2016 as a physical therapist/athletic trainer on the Women’s Professional Tennis tour. She served as the head athletic trainer and strength coach for 21 Seasons with the WNBA Detroit Shock, New York Liberty and currently, the Las Vegas Aces. 

AJ Avirah DPT, SCS  - Program Coordinator / Practice Chair

AJ is a board-certified sports physical therapist at RIM. AJ completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from India in 1998 and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Michigan in 2015. He has experience in various treatment settings, including acute care, sub-acute care, ICU and outpatient neurologic and orthopedic clinics. He is a dedicated and determined clinician and has spent most of his career perfecting treatment skills in orthopedics and sports. AJ is committed to expanding his already extensive knowledge through ongoing clinical education. He is the coordinator of the Journal Club in outpatient physical therapy at RIM. He is also a member of the Orthopedic Rehabilitation Protocol Committee at DMC Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Jim Allen, PT, OMPT- Program Faculty

James is a senior physical therapist at RIM. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Wayne State University in 1989 and his graduate certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy from Oakland University in 2000. He has extensive experience in acute care, outpatient orthopedics and sports performance rehabilitation and training of the overhead throwing athlete. He has lectured at a DMC Sports Medicine Conference and Wayne State University. He has provided a continuing education course on The Functional Assessment, Rehabilitation and Training of the Overhead Throwing Athlete.

Graduation Rate 100%

Program Goals and Key Indicators 100%

Specialty Exam Pass Rate 100%

Goal 1:The Sports PT Residency Program will support the mission of the sponsoring organization.

Goal 2:The Sports PT Residency Program will graduate residents that demonstrate proficiency in knowledge and skill required for Sport specialist clinical practice.

Goal 3:The Sports PT Residency Program will improve patient outcomes through promoting evidence-based treatment, increased focus on patient centered care, and increasing research opportunities.

Goal 4:The Sports PT Residency Program will maintain stability as a part of the sponsoring organization's long term strategic plan.

Goal 5:The Sports PT Residency Program will maintain ABPTRFE accreditation.

Goal 6:The Sports PT Residency Program will provide residents with high quality, consistent experience across all rotation sites.

Goal 7:The Sports PT Residency Program will maintain financial stability through the sponsoring organization.

Outcome 1: Residents will demonstrate advanced academic preparation in the specialty area of sports physical therapy as outlined in the Sport DRP.

Outcome 2: Residents will demonstrate advanced skills in patient/client management model in the specialty area of sports physical therapy to effectively manage patients from a variety of practice settings as outlined in the Sport DRP.

Outcome 3: Residents will demonstrate advanced skills in research methodology, implementation and dissemination to enable them to contribute to the sports physical therapy profession through future publications, presentations, and/or lectures.

Outcome 4: Residents will demonstrate specialist level clinical reasoning and decision-making skills as well as psychomotor skills in the specialty area of sports physical therapy to effectively manage patients from a variety of practice settings as outlined in the Sports DRP.

Outcome 5: Residents will demonstrate involvement in service or leadership in local, state, national or global organizations on behalf of the community or physical therapy profession.

Outcome 6: Residents will be prepared to sit for and successfully pass the ABPTS exam for board certification in sports physical therapy.

Outcome 7: Residents will graduate after successful completion of all didactic coursework, mentoring, and all other program requirements. Successful completion of the program will designate the resident as a program graduate.