University Times

The Centers for Rehab Services (CRS), a partner of UPMC, has become one of six sports physical therapy residency programs designated by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as an APTA-credentialed post-professional clinical residency program. APTA formally recognized the CRS residency program at the opening ceremonies of its combined sections meeting in Boston on Feb. 14.

With 43 locations, CRS is the largest provider of physical and occupational therapy in western Pennsylvania.

“We now join an elite group of organizations across the country offering a credentialed residency program for sports physical therapy,” said Tara Ridge, director of the Centers for Rehab Services sports physical therapy residency program.

According to Ridge, the CRS residency program exceeded the minimum requirements for credentialing due to its extensive access to academic and clinical resources. The APTA credentialing committee commended UPMC’s successful dual relationship between its medical centers and academic programs.

Adhering to the requirements of this APTA-credentialing process also allows CRS to further commit to providing learning experiences to its participating residents. The program consists of a combination of educational experiences including clinical care, research, didactics and clinical academics. Program graduates are eligible to take board certification examinations in their chosen specialties. CRS will have APTA credential status through November 2011.