Women's & Pelvic Health Residency
The Northwestern University Residency in Women's and Pelvic Health Physical Therapy will:
- Prepare residents to become specialists in women's health and pelvic health physical therapy.
- Provide innovative education and mentorship in evidence-based clinical care, teaching, research and scholarship.
- Create leaders in the speciality, profession, and community.
Application Process
The Northwestern University Residency in Women's and Pelvic Health Physical Therapy is facilitated by our collaborative clinical partnerships with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Northwestern Medicine. For the 2025-2026 cohort, one resident will be accepted and hosted at Shirly Ryan AbilityLab. The anticipated start date for the residency will be August 25, 2025.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Please submit all required application materials to the Residency Director: karla.wente@northwestern.edu
Eligibility for Admission
- Be licensed to practice physical therapy in Illinois or provide evidence that licensure will occur by the start of residency. No residency candidate will be permitted to start the residency without licensure in effect on the starting date.
- For new graduates, taking the April board exam is recommended but not required.
- Every applicant must have completed a Level 1 Pelvic Floor course through APTA Academy of Pelvic Health or equivalent prior at the time of application, or show evidence that such experience will be completed prior to the first day of residency (for example, a scheduled course registration).
- Meet all host site employment requirements and be approved to start as an employee prior to the first day of residency.
Application Requirements
Applications must include:
- Current CV or resume
- Transcript and diploma from accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program (if you haven't graduated, submit current transcript)
- Letter of intent (750 words maximum) addressing:
- What is your prior clinical or educational experience in women's/pelvic health? How have you responded to and incorporated feedback from your instructors?
- What do you hope to accomplish during your residency experience?
- Residency education is intense; what are your strategies for dealing with stressful situations?
- What are your goals for post-residency professional practice in women's and pelvic health?
- Three letters of recommendation (minimum one academic, one clinical)
Selection Process
The residency admissions committee reviews applications and interviews top candidates (in person or virtually) within four weeks of the deadline. The program director will notify announce final decisions two to three weeks after interviews.