Orthopedic Residency Program
Dr Mitchell Robins 2022 Graduate
Dr Jeremy Beasley Program Coordinator
Dr Gavin Hamer Program Director
2021 Graduate: Dr David Brown
2022 Graduate: Dr Marco Soriano
2022 Graduate: Dr Mitchell Robbis
2023 Graduate: Dr Keaton Burnett
Success Rate:
5 Residents have completed the FYZICAL Orthopedic Residency Program
5 Residents sat the OCS exam
4 passed on their first attempt
Program 80% Pass Rate
FYZICAL is proud to be the 117th approved provider of the ABPTRFE Orthopedic Residency program as of January 20 2021.
The program is offered at selected sites in Florida, Colorado North Carolina and Texas.
The orthopedic residency is an opportunity to be mentored by post-graduate peers along with support and guidance through the American Board of Physical Therapy Fellowship Residency Education (ABPTFRE) program.
The program will enable the resident to sit for the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) Examination held each year late February Early March.
OCS Clinical Program:
Residency and fellowship programs build upon a physical therapist’s foundational knowledge and facilitate the development of advanced practitioners with enhanced skills in a defined area of practice. Mentoring develops residents and fellows-in-training who elevate the quality of patient care and enhance the profession. Programs focus on advancing skills and knowledge including educational techniques, research methodology, clinical skills, and administrative practices. The comprehensive curriculum integrates these combined skills and knowledge specific to a defined area of practice that is consistent with the program's mission, goals, and outcomes.
Program History:
This achievement has been over five years in the making. Rick Douglass, FYZICAL’s President of Operations had the original vision for this program back in 2016 when he was serving as the National Director of Clinical Education, and first proposed the Residency along with submitting the initial application. After he became President in 2017, Gavin Hamer furthered his work with the application for candidacy status being accepted in 2018. There was still a lot to do, but after a successful site visit at FYZICAL Bonita Springs in December 2020, the program was finally approved, becoming just the 117th Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency in the United States. The program currently has six approved sites.
Approved Sites:
1. FYZICAL Bonita Springs FL - Graduate Dr David Brown 2021
2. FYZICAL Fort Myers FL - Graduate Dr Mitchell Robbins 2022
- Graduate Dr Keaton Burnett 2023
-Current Dr Eric Wiest 2025
3. FYZICAL Gleneagle CO – Withdrawn Dr Meagan Slaydon 2022
4. FYZICAL North East El Paso TX – Graduate Dr Marco Suriano 2022
5. FYZICAL Joe Battle El Paso TX – Graduate Dr Adam Vargus 2022
6. FYZICAL Brevard NC – Current Dr Nick Ussery 2025
2021 Gradutate: David Brown PT. DPT. OCS. Testimonial.
"The value of combining the latest evidence-based practice with mentors invested in developing my clinical capabilities shines in creating high-quality patient care. I look forward to joining and assisting in the education and development of future residents to maximize how we, as a company, can further the profession and create a trusted name in the rehab space. Educating patients is at the heart of what we do, and the best way to improve our ability is to continue to educate ourselves."
We wish him all the best and look forward to having him join our faculty as an instructor and a mentor after earning his OCS certification.
2022 Graduate: Mitchell Robins PT. DPT. OCS Testimonial.
“As clinicians, we are responsible for serving the people in our care to the best of our abilities. Going for the OCS certification is a commitment to studying the highest treatment standards and staying in touch with evidence-based practices. More than that, going through a residency shows initiative in not just being content to pass a test but going down the harder road – to be molded by your mentors, to teach your peers, to engage with your community, and to become a leader within your profession. FYZICAL’s OCS residency program gave me all the tools I needed to feel more confident as a clinician and has solidified the foundation under my feet. From here, I will continue to learn. That is what we are called to do, but that job is much easier with the many wonderful teachers and therapists in Fyzical’s residency program.”
2023 Graduate: Keaton Burnett PT. DPT. OCS Testimonial.
I am incredibly grateful for my experience in the FYZICAL Orthopedic Specialist Residency program. The program provided a perfect balance of hands-on learning, mentorship, and advanced clinical training that significantly enhanced my skills as a clinician. The mentors & leaders were knowledgeable, approachable, and truly invested in my growth which in turn helped to bring the best out in myself as both a clinician and an individual. The FYZICAL residency not only deepened my understanding of advanced rehabilitation techniques but also built my confidence in managing complex cases. Completing the residency program gave me those additional skills as well as the confidence to provide my patients with the highest quality care. I feel more equipped than ever to make a meaningful impact in my patient's lives and contribute to the field of physical therapy.
What This Means for FYZICAL:
We can now offer a clinical pathway for our Physical Therapists to undergo advanced training and increase their orthopedic skill set, passing this on to our patients and improving their outcomes. This program will attract physical therapists committed to life-long learning and allow them to advance as certified orthopedic clinical specialists, instructors, and mentors.
Gavin Hamer says, "For the company and our Franchise partners, this Residency also offers an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to excellence in evidence-based practice and to reduce practice variability across the FYZICAL brand."
For further information, contact Gavin Hamer, PT. DPT, FAAOMPT Program Director at gavin.hamer@fyzical.com.
FYZICAL Orthopedic Residency Program 2024 Report:
2024 Cohort
Number of candidates 2
Successful residency completion Not complete as of Dec 31 2024 Current
OCS score. N/A
2023 Cohort
Number of candidates 1
Successful residency completion. 1 100% Pass Rate
OCS Score Pass. 100% Pass Rate
2022 Cohort
Number of candidates 4
Successful residency completion. 3 75% Pass Rate
Withdrawal 1
OCS score 2 Passed, 66% Pass Rate
2021 Cohort
Number of candidates 1
Successful residency completion. 1 100% Pass Rate
OCS score 1 Passed 100% Pass Rate
2024 Year to date Pass Rate Summary:
Candidates 6
Successful Completion 5
Withdrawn 1
Failed 0
Current 2
OCS Pass 4 of 5