Physical Therapy Geriatric Residency
Advance Your Practice in Geriatric PT
Gain clinical practice and mentoring by applying to the Creighton University Physical Therapy Residency Program, which specializes in geriatric physical therapy. This Omaha-based clinical residency experience includes teaching, as well as opportunities for research and publication. Program graduates will also be eligible to take the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Geriatrics Specialist Certification Examination.
Geriatric Residency Details
- The 12-month residency begins August 1 and ends July 31 .
- Program residents are salaried Creighton employees with benefits.
- Residents complete 30 hours per week of clinical practice and 12–14 hours of teaching, labs, didactic training and a common curriculum with other PT and OT residency programs.
- No additional tuition is required.
- Residents participate in clinical practice at CHI CUMC-Bergan Mercy in Acute Care and Outpatient, Old Mill Rehabilitation in Skilled Nursing and CHI Health at Home in Home Health.
- Professional licensure in the state of Nebraska is required.
Educational Experience
The program offers opportunities for residents to expand and share their knowledge. Each resident will:
- Provide direct patient care with clinical mentorship across the continuum of geriatric care including acute care, skilled nursing, home health and outpatient services
- Attend weekly common curriculum seminars with other PT residents and OT fellows
- Receive advanced didactic instruction in geriatric physical therapy in preparation of becoming a leader in the field
- Develop quarterly written narratives and case presentations and receive feedback from faculty and peers
- Produce a scholarly project with guidance from an academic or clinical faculty member
- Participate in teaching Doctor of Physical Therapy students in lectures and integrated labs
Clinical Partners
Old Mill Rehabilitation
Our partnership with Old Mill Rehabilitation provides residents with experience and mentorship in skilled nursing care.
CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center – Bergan Mercy
By partnering with CHI CUMC-Bergan Mercy, we’re able to give residents additional mentoring in acute care and outpatient services related to geriatric physical therapy.
CHI Health at Home
Our partnership with CHI Health at Home provides residents with experience and mentorship in home health care.
Mission Statement
The program is committed to developing specialization in advanced geriatric clinical practice, teaching and advocacy by providing focused, ongoing mentorship in preparation of residents who will become leaders in geriatric physical therapy practice.
Program Outcomes
At the conclusion of the program, residents should be able to demonstrate the following:
- Accurate performance of all aspects of the patient management model (examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and outcomes) in a variety of settings related to advanced geriatric practice
- Proficient clinical reasoning skills necessary for advanced clinical practice
- Effective teaching and communication skills related to patients, peers and students
- Additionally, residents will be expected to successfully complete two live patient practical examinations and one written examination. They will also have the knowledge and skills to complete the ABPTS Geriatrics Specialist Certification Examination.
First-Time Pass Rate on Geriatric Specialist Certification Examination
2024 Exam Testing Year
- Non-residency graduate: 67%
- Residency graduate: 88%
- Creighton residency graduate: 100%
2023 Exam Testing Year*
- Non-residency graduate: 88%
- Residency graduate: 100%
- Creighton residency graduate: 100%
2022 Exam Testing Year*
- Non-residency graduate: 78%
- Residency graduate: 93%
- Creighton residency graduate: N/A**
2021 Exam Testing Year
- Non-residency graduate: 90%
- Residency graduate: 100%
- Creighton residency graduate: 100%
2020 Exam Testing Year
- Non-residency graduate: 81%
- Residency graduate: 96%
- Creighton residency graduate: 100%
2019 Exam Testing Year
- Non-residency graduate: 94%
- Residency graduate: 100%
- Creighton residency graduate: 100%
2018 Exam Testing Year
- Non-Residency Graduate: 94%
- Residency Graduate: 95%
- Creighton Residency Graduate: 100%
2017 Exam Testing Year
- Non-residency graduate: 86%
- Residency graduate: 95%
- Creighton residency graduate: 100%
2016 Exam Testing Year
- Non-residency graduate: 80%
- Residency graduate: 94%
- Creighton residency graduate: 100%
*For residents who have sat for the Board Certification Examination
**No Creighton residents due to COVID-19 pandemic
5-Year Geriatric Residency Retention and Completion Rates
Retention rate indicates how many residents were retained for the entire residency program out of the number of available positions. Completion rate indicates how many residents successfully completed all program requirements.
2024
- Retention rate: 1/2
- Completion rate: 1/1
2023
- Retention rate: 2/2
- Completion rate: 2/2
2022
- Retention rate: 1/2
- Completion rate: 1/1
2021*
- Retention rate: 0/0
- Completion rate: 0/0
2020
- Retention rate: 2/2
- Completion rate: 2/2
2019
- Retention rate: 2/2
- Completion rate: 2/2
*No residents in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic
Sample Schedule Considering Two Residents are Enrolled (6 month block)
*Residents will receive 3 hours of mentoring/week. Approximately 2/3 of mentoring time (2 hours/week) will occur in the PRIMARY location, 1/3 of mentoring time (1 hour/week) will occur in the SECONDARY location
Hear from a Geriatric PT Resident
Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Inspired by the Catholic and Jesuit tradition, our community believes that each human being is a profound gift from God, deserving of both dignity and opportunity. We thus seek to acknowledge and celebrate diversity at Creighton—building the spaces and relationships required for every person to thrive. All physical therapist residents are treated with the utmost respect and dignity.
Learn more about justice, diversity, equity and inclusion at Creighton
Contributive Services Faculty
- Rashelle Hoffman, PT, DPT, PhD, Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
- Alex Alexander, PT, DPT, Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
- Michelle Stara, PT
- Erin Harrell, PT
- Olivia Thoene, PT, DPT
- Shannon Downey, PT, DPT
- Cameron McCombs, PT, DPT
- Brent Simmons, PT, DPT
Contact Information
Kate Kugler, PT, DPT
Board Certified Neurologic Clinic Specialist
Assistant Professor
Geriatric Residency Program Director
Department of Physical Therapy
Maggie Schumacher, PT, DPT
Board Certified Geriatric Clinic Specialist
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Geriatric Residency Program Coordinator
Department of Physical Therapy
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
402.280.5691
ABPTRFE-Accredited Program
The Creighton University Geriatric Residency Program is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists in geriatrics.
