Accreditation

Physical Therapy First (PTF) Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship is accredited by the APTA through the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE), approved by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT), in compliance with the standards set nationally and internationally by International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT).

Physical Therapy First (PTF) Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship is an ABPTRFE-accredited as a post-professional clinical fellowship program for physical therapists in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. The official commencement of this prestigious accreditation began January 31, 2015 for a period of five (5) years until January 31, 2020 and received reaccreditation for ten (10) years until January 2030.

On January 1, 2020 a newly formed Accreditation Council on Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Education (ACOMPTE) became responsible for setting the standards and formal accreditation of all Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT) Fellowship Programs recognized by the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) in the United States.

AAOMPT formed ACOMPTE to meet the needs of all OMPT Fellowship programs and to ensure compliance with standards set by AAOMPT and the International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT).

Participant Practice Sites

• Physical Therapy First – Roland Park, 200 W. Cold Spring Lane, Suite 300 Baltimore MD 21210
• Physical Therapy First – Clarksville 5005, Signal Bell Lane, Suite 202 Clarksville MD 21029
• Spine and Sports Rehabilitation Center – Towson, 7402 York Road, Suite 104, Towson, MD 21204
• Spine and Sports Rehabilitation Center – Owings Mills 9 Park Center Ct. Suite 130 Owings Mills MD 21117

Application

Application Requirements:

• Current license to practice physical therapy
• One page letter of intent for application to the Fellowship
• Curriculum Vitae
• Description of clinical experiences
• Complete an APTA accredited orthopaedic residency program or OCS certification.
• Fellowship interview/application review will be conducted by Fellowship Director

Nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion policy:

At Physical Therapy First, and our educational residency and fellowship programs, a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all students, residency/fellowship participants, faculty and administrators, employees, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our programs, and worksites. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard. We’re committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the entire company and educational program, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.

Outcomes (updated January 31, 2025)

Since the program’s commencement, we’ve enrolled 13 fellows-in-training. Of these, five have graduated, eight have dropped out, and we currently have no active participants. Among those who left, four moved out of state or to a different area, while four left for personal reasons. Currently, the graduation rate stands at approximately 38.5%.

DETAILED OUTCOMES