Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation is launching a new residency program to address the growing need for specialized senior care in Chattanooga.
In partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the hospital is starting a Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency—the second program of its kind in Tennessee. This year-long residency, beginning in August, aims to train physical therapists to better serve the area’s aging population.
Valerie Rutledge, Dean of the College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies at UTC, highlighted the significance of the collaboration. She explained that healthcare programs at UTC focus on specialized populations, and this partnership with Siskin Hospital allows students to gain real-world experience in geriatric care. “It’s the first of its kind for us to be able to partner with Siskin Rehab Hospital and know that not only do we have the skill, but we get to see in that particular setting where we’re helping people prepare to be really experts in that area,” she said.
The residency program prepares its residents to sit for board certification as Geriatric Clinical Specialists. It builds on the success of Siskin’s Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency Program, which boasts a 100 percent graduation and board certification pass rate.
As Chattanooga’s senior population continues to grow, this residency program represents a vital step toward expanding access to specialized care and training clinicians equipped to meet the unique needs of older adults in the community.
