The collaboration establishes a new approach to physical therapy education, supporting a more direct transition from doctoral-level academic preparation to clinical residency training.

The pilot program is designed to provide students with a cohesive educational pathway, equipping emerging physical therapists with enhanced clinical skills, specialization opportunities and a strong foundation for long-term professional growth.

The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) is the national organization that oversees and accredits post-professional training programs for physical therapists in the United States.

“This partnership represents an important step forward in the future of physical therapy education and provides our students with a unique opportunity to promote advanced practice and lifelong learning,” said Tracy Wall , clinical professor and chair of the department of physical therapy at Quinnipiac.

Chris Miller, residency program director for Connecticut Orthopaedics and a Quinnipiac alumnus, emphasized the significance of the collaboration.

“We’re incredibly excited to partner with QU on this innovative program for physical therapists,” Miller said.

He noted that the program is part of a national pilot launched by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) that integrates entry-level DPT education with post-professional residency training.

“This new pathway streamlines the transition from DPT to residency education by overlapping the beginning of residency training with the end of their DPT curriculum and clinicals,” he said. “This will help accelerate career growth and progression into specialty-level practice for interested Physical Therapy students.”

He underscored that the collaboration between Quinnipiac’s program, which is ranked among the top 50 programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and Connecticut Orthopaedics is the first in the country between an academic DPT program and a clinical residency to receive approval to participate in this pilot.

Edward Strosnick, director of sports therapy and rehabilitation at Connecticut Orthopaedics and a Quinnipiac alumnus, spoke to the impact of the collaboration.

“This collaboration allows us to intentionally bridge academic preparation with real-world clinical excellence,” Strosnick said. “By integrating residency-level expectations into the final phase of DPT education, we’re creating a more seamless and accelerated pathway for developing highly skilled, specialty-level clinicians.”

Connecticut Orthopaedics is the largest physician-owned orthopedic practice in New England, providing musculoskeletal care, including sports medicine, joint replacement, spine care, rehabilitation and more. The organization serves patients across Connecticut with locations in Branford, Essex, Cheshire, Fairfield, Hamden, Madison, Milford, Orange, Shelton, Trumbull, Wallingford and Westport.