Sports Residency

The UIW School of Physical Therapy Sports residency aims to educate sports physical therapists who, through skilled, reflective, holistic and evidence-based patient-centered practice, help optimize movement, wellness and active lifestyles for the common good of society and contribute to the sports physical therapy body of knowledge.

Goals and Outcomes

Applications are completed through RF-PTCAS and will become available for the upcoming year each fall.

The School of Physical Therapy (SoPT) at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), in its commitment to further develop the next generation of physical therapists, is excited to announce its first residency program in sports physical therapy. The sports residency program strives to develop sport physical therapists who will:

Be recognized as experts and providers of choice in rehabilitating the injured athlete, injury prevention and human performance optimization across diverse athletic settings and client populations.
Make relevant and impactful contributions to the body of knowledge, driving evidence-informed practice in sports physical therapy.
Consistently provide exemplary care across diverse athletic settings and client populations.
Become an effective leader, teacher and mentor.
Collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals.

The University of the Incarnate Word Sports Residency Program is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists in sports physical therapy.

UIW has many world-class athletic facilities

Sullivan Field

Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center

Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium

Ann Barshop Natatorium

Ann Barshop Natatorium Training Room

The University of the Incarnate Word provides state-of-the-art facilities to offer a contemporary sports physical therapy resident practice opportunities. With a total of 23 NCAA Division I sports teams and 10 club sports, the residents work with a vast array of traditional and Olympic sports within the UIW community.

Admissions

Applications available: Oct. 1, 2022 - Dec. 31, 2022 (each cohort begins on July 1)
Applications are to be completed through RF-PTCAS.

Application Requirements:

To apply to the UIW sports residency program, the prospective resident must:

Have graduated from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program (or will have graduated prior to start of residency).
Possess or be eligible for a physical therapy license in the state of Texas.
Provide an intent letter.
Include a curriculum vitae or resumé.
Comply with all immunizations:
1. Meningitis (if under 22 years of age)
2. Hepatitis B series
3. Tdap and MMR
4. TB baseline skin test
5. Varicella-zoster
Have a current basic life support for healthcare providers certification.
Submit three letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a clinical instructor in an ortho/sports setting.
Submit transcript from PT program.

Faculty

Our sports residency faculty provides extensive breadth and depth to our residency program in all aspects of sports physical therapy.

Matt Walk, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

Associate Professor

E-mail: walk@uiwtx.edu

See Dr. Walk's Full Bio

Brady Garza Sams, PT, DPT, OCS

Clinical Assistant Professor

E-mail: bagarza@uiwtx.edu

See Dr. Garza's Full Bio

Jennifer Penn, PT, DPT, NCS

Assistant Professor

E-mail: jpenn@uiwtx.edu

See Dr. Penn's Full Bio

Alexis Ortiz, PT, PhD, SCS, CSCS, FASCM

Residency Mentor

E-mail: aortiz5@uiwtx.edu

John Mason, PT, DPT, DSc, SCS, CSCS

Part-Time Residency Faculty/Mentor

E-mail: jsmason@uiwtx.edu

Sal Cervantes, BS, MS, ATC

Assistant Director of Sports Medicine

E-mail: scervan1@uiwtx.edu

See Mr. Cervantes's Full Bio

DonLouise Martens, BS, MS, ATC, LAT

Senior Athletic Trainer (Women's Soccer)

E-mail: dmartens@uiwtx.edu

See Mrs. Martens's Full Bio

Jerry Salazar, BS, MS, ATC, LAT

Athletic Trainer (Swimming and Diving, Cheer and Dance)

E-mail: jssalaza@uiwtx.edu

See Mr. Salazar's Full Bio

Augie Melendez, BS, MS, ATC, LAT

Athletic Trainer (Football)

E-mail: agmelend@uiwtx.edu

See Mr. Melendez's Full Bio

Schedule and Didactic Curriculum

The following schedule and didactic curriculum are representative of the activities incorporated into the sports residency program. Most of the didactic curriculum will be delivered through Medbridge in conjunction with in-person journal club and lab activities. The didactic curriculum is managed through the CANVAS educational platform.

Residency Weekly Schedule Draft