The Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO) Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency is a 54-week program beginning the 3rd week in July and concluding July 31 the following year. The residency is conducted at prominent locations within the Twin Cities Orthopedics organization. This residency program is ABPTRFE Accredited Program.
Cole Birch, PT, DPT, CSCS
Cole Birch, PT, DPT, CSCS, grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. He attended the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Physiology. Cole continued his post-graduate education at Concordia University – St. Paul where he received his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. He has been an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Minnesota Chapter by leading student and early professional committees to help advance the profession of physical therapy in the state of Minnesota. Outside of the clinic, Cole enjoys spending time with friends and family on the golf course, finding new ways to stay active, and attending as many Minnesota Twins games as he can.
Grace Nelson, PT, DPT
Grace Nelson, PT, DPT was born and raised in Stillwater, Minnesota. She earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise Physiology and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Marquette University. Grace is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals facing a wide range of orthopedic conditions and diagnoses. She has a passion for helping patients return to the activities they love, enhance their quality of life, and optimize their physical function. Outside of the clinic, Grace enjoys being on one of Minnesota’s many lakes, wake-surfing, yoga, and playing pickleball.
At Twin Cities Orthopedics, we are dedicated to developing physical therapists who will become leaders in orthopedic rehabilitation. Our mission is to train physical therapists of diverse experiences and talents to become ambassadors of change, enabling our graduates to transform the field of physical therapy by providing compassionate, science-based physical therapy for patients of all needs and backgrounds. Our clinical training is built upon a challenging curriculum, dedicated mentorship, and institutional support to provide individualized experiences to facilitate the professional goals of each physical therapy resident.
About TCO
Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO) is committed to providing world-class service. TCO’s dedicated teams of independent physicians, specialty providers, and care coordinators serve patients in clinic locations, walk-in orthopedic urgent care locations, and numerous other therapy and specialty care settings across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Regardless of the location, TCO delivers an exceptional patient experience, backed by decades of trusted orthopedic and sports medicine care.
Our residency values and supports professional development by ensuring our residents participate in:
In summary, the residency will help align your ambitions within our organization of highly engaged orthopedic medicine providers, our culture of excellence, and our state-of-the art facilities.
For additional information on the Twin Cities Orthopedics Orthopedic Physical Therapy program, including salary and benefits, please review the link below or reach out to [email protected] if your questions are not answered.
Faculty, mentors, and residents work collaboratively to encompass all areas of the current Orthopedic Physical Therapy Description of Specialty Practice (DSP) throughout the duration of the residency. Direct one-on-one clinical and professional practice mentorship is built into the resident’s weekly schedule and curriculum. The clinical mentorship is an essential and highly valuable component of our residency. The Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residents will benefit from having dedicated time with several formal clinical mentors during their residency. Each resident will spend 1:1 clinic time directly with each mentor listed below, along with interactions amongst other clinics and professionals. Thus, in addition to planned weekly mentorship, our residents will have many opportunities throughout the planned residency curriculum and schedule to spend time with an array of clinical specialists, benefiting from these educational and professional practice interactions that will enhance their specialty orthopedic physical therapy practice. By completing the residency, the residency can sit for the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification examination by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).
Mentor time will include enriched activities such as:
Orthopedic Therapy Residency Director: JW Matheson, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, SCS, CSCS
2022-2023 Clinical Mentors
Featured Clinical Specialists
Applications and all supporting documentation must be received by December 31.
2024 Online Application: Complete entirety of application at RF-PTCAS
Please follow the detailed instructions and complete all information through the RF-PTCAS website, including;
1. Application Review: The selection committee will review each application. Applicants are evaluated by the team based on these criteria:
Applicants must be licensed to practice in Physical Therapy in Minnesota prior to the start of the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency.
Applicants must be an active APTA member and Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy (AOPT) member.
2. Interviews: Select candidates will be invited for in-person and/or virtual interviews in February.
3. Orthopedic Residency Acceptance: Selected candidates will receive notification in early March. Acceptance into the program is provisional pending the candidates meeting all conditions of employment with Twin Cities Orthopedics.
Click here to download the financial fact sheet for the TCO Sports Physical Therapy Residency.
For questions not addressed above or in the detailed information section, please send an email to the Orthopedic Therapy Residency Director at [email protected].
Since its inception in July 2022, the program has a successful completion rate of 100%. Past graduates are noted below.
2023-2024 Residents:
2022-2023 Residents:
