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BEYONDTHESTRETCH

Freedom to Move. Freedom to Choose.

July feels like freedom it's the season of open roads, longer days, backyard celebrations, and making memories with the people we love. Yet some of life's greatest freedoms aren't found in grand adventures. They're found in everyday moments: climbing the stairs without pain, carrying groceries with ease, taking the dog for a walk, chasing grandchildren through the yard, returning to a favorite sport, or moving through life with confidence. That's what physical therapy helps people reclaim every single day.

One of the things that makes PT such a rewarding profession is that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to helping someone get there Research gives us the roadmap, but people aren't textbooks Every patient brings a different story, different goals, and different challenges through the clinic doors. That's where clinical judgment matters.

Evidence-based practice is at the heart of what we do, but so is the ability to listen, adapt, problem-solve, and make decisions based on the person in front of us. It's the balance of science and experience that allows great clinicians to do what they do best.

At TPG, we believe that trust matters We trust our clinicians to combine the latest evidence with their expertise, curiosity, and compassion We encourage thoughtful decision-making, collaboration, and lifelong learning because exceptional care doesn't come from checking boxes. It comes from treating people as individuals.

Patients deserve that same freedom The freedom to ask questions, understand their options, and actively participate in their own recovery. The best outcomes happen when clinicians and patients work together.

As you flip through this month's issue, we hope you'll find stories that celebrate the many ways our profession creates freedom: freedom to move, to grow, to explore, and to live life more fully.

Because in the end, that's what physical therapy is all about not simply restoring movement, but restoring possibility

Dena Aitken Chief Operating Officer-GTC

Please join us in celebrating Fatema Ghani, recipient of the 2026 UOP Physical Therapy Alumni of the Year Award. Her leadership, mentorship, and lasting impact continue to inspire colleagues, students, and the profession.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Fatema! From student to CI to SCCE and now Director of University Relations, your talent and passion for clinical education shine through Thank you for your continued service to Pacific and its students

Dr. Alicia Rabena-Amen, PT, DPT, Director of Clinical Education, University of the Pacific

Fatema, congratulations on receiving the 2026 UOP Physical Therapy Alumni of the Year Award! This well-deserved honor is a reflection of your commitment to excellence, your passion for the physical therapy profession, and your unwavering dedication to mentoring the next generation of clinicians

The impact you have made on students and future physical therapists is truly immeasurable Thank you for your leadership, your generosity, and the example you set every day. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this achievement with you and can't wait to see the continued impact you'll make on our profession for years to come Congratulations again. We are so proud of you!

Kim Kollwelter, PT, DPT, MBA, Chief Operations Officer, Therapy Partners Group

I've had the privilege of working closely with Fatema over the past three years, and it has truly been a pleasure. Through our work as SCCEs, attending ELC together, and strengthening relationships with our university partners, I've had the opportunity to witness firsthand the passion, dedication, and heart she brings to her work every day Her commitment to clinical education and the success of both students and colleagues is inspiring I'm grateful to be part of that journey and look forward to continuing to learn and grow through her example Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

Tyler Goslinga, PT, DPT, SCS, Clinic Director, Golden Bear Physical Therapy

Fatema, we are incredibly fortunate here at TPG to have you leading our student program! The relationships you have built with universities, the support you provide to students and CIs, and the energy you bring to developing our future of the profession has made a tremendous impact here at TPG Thank you for everything you do to strengthen our student pipeline and creating an environment here at TPG that celebrates our culture making students want to be a part of our team Your recognition from UOP is a testament to the different you are making every day and we couldn’t be more proud to have you on our team! Congratulations on this incredible achievement!

Ashley Piazza, PT, DPT, Chief People Officer, Therapy Partners Group

Fatema Ghani, PT, DPT Director of UniversityRelations

TPG CAREER PATHWAYS

Career growth, your way!

Residency Program

Sports

Orthopedics

Women’s Health

New Grad Success Program

Staff Clinician

Leadership Pathway

Emerging Leaders

Clinical Leadership Program

Clinical Director

Regional Director

Advanced Clinical Pathways

Sports

Pelvic Health

Hand Therapy

Geriatrics

Neurology

Orthopedics

Pediatrics

Educational Leadership

Clinical Instructor

New Grad Success Mentor

TPGU Faculty

New Graduate

1+ Years Experience

In th ir own words In th ir own words

The Sponge

Alwayssoakingupsomethingnew

Thisplaceprovidedasupportiveandengagingenvironmenttohelpme learnandapplymyknowledgewhilealsoprovidingachallenge.Iwould highlyrecommendaTPGclinictogetexposuretoavarietyofcasesand aplacetogainsomethingneweveryday.

The Trailblazer

Neverafraidtojumpin

sIhadmanyhands-onopportunitiesMyCIallowedmetodevelopmy lkillsandunderstandingintheareasIchose.Shewassupportiveofmy Iearningthroughouttheexperience,andIamhappywithmytimeat nspire.

TheTeamPlayer

Believesgreatlearninghappenstogether

ItrulyhadanamazingexperiencewhileatTwoTreesSantaPaula.From thesupportstaff,tomyCI,totheregionalmanagers,everyonehasbeen absolutelyamazingandwelcoming.Iwishmyrotationwerelonger!

e Promoter

"I'llbeback.nexttimeasaPT"

rIhadanamazingexperienceasastudentatProSportandwouldhighly vecommendthisclinicaltoclassmatesandfuturePTstudentsIwouldbe eryhappytoreturnonedayasaPT

The Opportunity Seeker

Findinglessonseverywhere

Thishasbeenmyfavoriterotationsofar.IlovedhowTPGisvery structured,andthestaffwasverywelcomingandopen.Ihadlearning opportunitiesfromnotjustmyCI,butalsotheotherPTstaffwhowere verywillingtohelpme!Iwillmissthemverymuch!

The Rookie

Everygreatclinicianhasafirstrotation

The Confidence Builder

IthoughtthatthiswasanamazingclinicalrotationIwasprogressedat justtherightspeed,feelingveryindependenttowardstheendbutnever feltalone.Lorialwayshadknowledgeandexpertisetoshare,always offering erskills,practicenewtechniques,andalwaysoffering differen etortacklethesameproblem.Ilovedhavingmyown schedu Ithoughtthatmademefeelmoreindependentand wascoo patientsonmyownpersonalscheduleIwould recommendthissitetoanyone Growingindependenceonepatientatatime

inpreparingmeforanentry-levelpractice. Preparingfordayoneofalifelongcareer

The

Difference Maker

Proofthatexceptionalmentorshipmatters

www.reallygreatsite.com

MyclinicalrotationatTherapyPartnersGroupwasagreatexperience andprovidedmewithalotofvaluablelearningopportunitiesIwasable tolearnagreatdealfrommyCIaswellastheothertherapistsandstaff intheclinicTheirguidanceandsupporthelpedmebuildmyclinicalskills andconfidence,makingthisaveryrewardingandmeaningfullearning experience.

GET PAID A FULL SALARY TO SPECIALIZE

The TPG Residency Program runs for 12 months on full salary, with 50 hours of one-to-one mentorship and senior clinicians in every resident's corner. Applications are open for September 2026.

Most residency programs ask clinicians to take a pay cut in exchange for training. That tradeoff is the single biggest reason talented new graduates skip residency altogether. Rent doesn't pause for professional development, and the average DPT is carrying six figures of education debt on the way out the door.

The TPG Residency Program removes the tradeoff. All three tracks run 12 months on a full salary No reduced rate, no stipend model, no choosing between paying the bills and getting good.

Why does full salary matter this much?

Because the earnings advantage of specialization is real, and the opportunity cost of a low-paid residency year is what keeps clinicians from reaching it. APTA's income research consistently finds that postprofessional credentials, including board certification, fellowship training, and advanced degrees, are linked to higher earnings. ABPTRFE, citing APTA's 2023 Wage Report, states it directly: board-certified physical therapists earn higher wages across every clinical setting, and the advantage is largest for clinicians who certify within their first five years of practice.

Because the earnings advantage of specialization is real, and the opportunity cost of a low-paid residency year is what keeps clinicians from reaching it.

APTA's income research consistently finds that postprofessional credentials, including board certification, fellowship training, and advanced degrees, are linked to higher earnings. ABPTRFE, citing APTA's 2023 Wage Report, states it directly: board-certified physical therapists earn higher wages across every clinical setting, and the advantage is largest for clinicians who certify within their first five years of practice. Early certification isn't a one-time raise. It changes the slope of an entire earnings curve.

Residency training is what moves clinicians toward certification APTA's workforce analysis found that physical therapists who complete a residency have...

...roughly 16 times greater odds of becoming board-certified than those who do not. Paid residency means a clinician can pursue that trajectory without pausing their financial life to do it.

What does the TPG Residency Program include?

Afullsalaryforall12months.Residentsearnwhiletheyspecialize.

50hoursofone-to-onementorship.Notshadowing,andnotamonthlycheck-in.Fiftydocumentedhours ofaseniorclinicianworkingthroughtheresident'scaseloadwiththem,hands-on,inrealtime.

Collaborationwithseniorclinicianleaders.Residentsworkalongsidetheclinicianswholeadspecialty programsacross140+TPGclinics,withaccesstoleadersoutsidetheirownbuilding.

Didacticlearninginthespecialtyarea.Structuredcourseworktiedtotheresident'strack,sothereading, theclinicalreasoning,andthecaseloadreinforceeachotherratherthanrunningonseparatecalendars.

One point of clarity: the TPG Residency Program does not qualify residents to sit for the ABPTS specialist exam early. Some programs allow candidates to apply before completion. This one does not. What it does build is the 2,000 hours of direct patient care in the specialty area that ABPTS requires,4 with mentorship and didactic work layered on top. Residents still reach the exam, and they reach it with a specialty caseload behind them and a senior clinician who has already sat for it in their corner.

Which tracks and locations are available?

The Orthopedic residency is available across all TPG brands. The Sports residency is offered at ProSport Physical Therapy, Bodycentral Physical Therapy, and Golden Bear Physical Therapy. The Pelvic Health residency is currently offered at Bodycentral. Opportunities span California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington, and Oregon.

Beyond residency, TPG also hosts an NCAA Division I Athlete Fellowship at the University of Arizona and an Upper Extremity Fellowship with the Cincinnati Reds.

New graduates who already know their direction and want to stop guessing. Clinicians two or three years in, whose growth has flattened. Anyone who has looked at the OCS, SCS, or WCS credentials as a goal without a clear sense of the next step.

Who should consider applying? Applications are open! Start date is Sept. 2026 to apply or get more information about the program, including details on start dates/locations.

Our 12-month Residency Programs provide advanced clinical training, mentorship, and education to help clinicians develop specialty expertise and prepare for board certification. TPG also offers Fellowship opportunities for clinicians pursuing the highest level of specialized training.

RESIDENCY

PROGRAMS OFFERED

WHY CHOOSE A TPG RESIDENCY?

Participants benefit from a comprehensive learning experience that includes:

One-on-One Clinical Mentorship

Structured Didactic Education

Case Reviews & Clinical Discussions

Preparation for Board Cert Exams

Guest Speakers & Expert Faculty

SPORTS RESIDENCY

Designed for clinicians seeking advanced training in sports physical therapy, athlete management, return-to-sport decision making, and performance optimization.

Sports Residency Coordinator

Tyler Goslinga, SCS, PT, DPT

ORTHOPEDIC RESIDENCY

Focused on advanced orthopedic evaluation, treatment, manual therapy, and clinical reasoning for musculoskeletal conditions.

Orthopedic Residency Coordinator

Michael Ko, DPT, OCS, AT-RET

PELVIC HEALTH RESIDENCY

Designed for clinicians seeking advanced training in sports physical therapy, athlete management, return-to-sport decision making, and performance optimization.

Pelvic Health Residency Coordinator & Sr Director of Residencies & Fellowship

Melissa Buss PT, DPT, PWCS

StudentLoan Student Loan

StartyourPTcareerwithTherapyPartnersGroupandearnupto$30,000in studentloanrepayment!Repaymentamountvariesbylocation.

PTstudentswhomeettherequirementsforaTPGPhysicalTherapistposition. IsThereaCatch?

No.ThereisnocosttostudentsthroughaClaspprogram,andyoucanexitat anytime.Applyingisnotanapplicationforaloanorcredit.Ifselected,youwill receiveinstructionsonhowtosyncyoureligiblestudentloansforrepayment.

HowItWorks!

1.Apply:Apply&getacceptedintotheTPGStudentLoanRepaymentProgram.

2.Sync:Syncupto$30KofyoureligiblestudentloansontheClaspplatform. Repaymentamountvariesbylocation

3.Launch:Startyourfull-timePhysicalTherapistcareeratTPG andreceivemonthlypaymentsdirectlyonyourstudentloans.

This summer's FIFA World Cup wasn't just exciting—it may have been the hottest men's tournament ever played. With temperatures topping 110°F in several host cities, FIFA introduced cooling breaks, air-conditioned stadiums, and evening kickoffs to reduce heat-related risks.

The same heat challenges affecting elite athletes are showing up every day in our clinics.

Soccer players commonly lose 1.5–2% of their body weight during a match, with losses reaching 4–5% in extreme heat. Once dehydration exceeds 2%, aerobic performance, decision-making, and the body's ability to regulate temperature begin to decline. If left unmanaged, dehydration can progress to heat exhaustion or exertional heat stroke a life-threatening emergency.

EVIDENCE-BASED HYDRATION STRATEGIES

The National Athletic Trainers' Association recommends individualized hydration plans:

Before activity: Start well hydrated. Pale urine, normal bathroom frequency, and stable morning weight are simple indicators.

During activity: Aim to keep body weight loss below 2%. For exercise lasting longer than an hour in the heat, beverages containing carbohydrates and sodium are more effective than water alone.

After activity: Replace 125–150% of fluid losses over the next several hours, along with sodium, to support recovery.

It's also important to avoid overhydration. Drinking beyond sweat losses can lead to exercise-associated hyponatremia, a potentially fatal condition.

Professional teams relied on several proven heatmanagement strategies that apply at every level of sport:

Heat acclimatization: Gradually increasing heat exposure over 10–14 days improves plasma volume, sweating efficiency, and cardiovascular performance.

Cooling strategies: Ice vests, cold towels, and slushies can improve performance and reduce heat strain

Planned cooling breaks: Monitoring environmental conditions and modifying activity based on WBGT helps reduce heat illness risk.

Physical therapists are often an athlete's most consistent healthcare provider. Screen for heat-related risk factors, educate patients on hydration, recognize early signs of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headache, unusual fatigue, confusion), and incorporate hydration and heat acclimatization into return-to-sport plans.

Remember: athletes returning from injury lose heat acclimatization along with fitness. Rebuilding both is essential.