Children’s Health Andrews Institute Sports Physical Therapy Residency

Children’s Health Andrews Institute Sports Physical Therapy Residency is affiliated with one of the most recognized names in sports medicine. Our program offers a unique clinical lens and a clear path to specialty practice.

A Nationally Recognized Sports Medicine Institution

Children’s Health Andrews Institute is a destination for athletes across all levels. As a resident, you will develop your clinical skills within a well-established sports medicine setting, treating a diverse caseload that reflects the full spectrum of the athletic patient population.

A True Multidisciplinary Environment

Our residents are integrated into a team that includes orthopedic surgeons, primary care sports medicine physicians, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, and sports psychologists. This real-world collaboration reflects how sports medicine is actually practiced and prepares you to lead within it.

A Pediatric and Adolescent Focus

Working with a pediatric and adolescent athlete population offers a unique clinical lens. You will develop specialized expertise in growth-related injuries, youth athlete development, return-to-sport decision-making, and the nuanced communication required when working with young athletes and their families.

A Clear Path to SCS Certification

Every component of our curriculum — from didactic education to mentored clinical hours and field coverage — is structured to align with the APTA description of specialty practice and prepare you to sit and succeed on the Sports Certified Specialist exam.

State-of-the-Art Facility

Our residency program is based at our state-of-the-art facility in Plano, Texas. Children’s Health Andrews Institute was designed with a purpose: to support the full continuum of sports medicine care, from injury evaluation to rehabilitation to performance optimization.

Our curriculum is intentionally structured so that each week builds on the last — combining mentored clinical practice, didactic education, hands-on field coverage, research, and teaching into a cohesive, progressive experience.

Clinical Experience

Residents provide direct patient care in our outpatient sports medicine clinic under the mentorship of board-certified sports physical therapists. Your caseload is set at 75% of a standard clinician’s load, preserving protected time for mentorship, education, and residency obligations.

• The resident’s patient population meets the requirements as defined by the APTA description of sports residency practice

• Primary emphasis on the pediatric athlete from ages 8–22

• To further solidify learning, we do our best ensure a variety of diagnoses that align with the current learning module

One-on-One Mentorship

Each resident is paired with a faculty mentor who holds advanced clinical credentials. Mentorship sessions are structured around your current caseload, learning modules, and individual development needs, providing direct feedback on clinical reasoning, examination, and intervention skills. We ensure each mentorship block includes both direct patient care observation and dedicated one-on-one time to support the resident’s growth.

Didactics

Residents receive structured classroom and laboratory education throughout the year, delivered by residency faculty and specialized providers within our multidisciplinary clinic.

• Faculty-led presentations and clinical lectures

• Hands-on laboratory sessions

• Journal clubs

• Case-based learning integrated with clinical practice

Sports Coverage

Residents accumulate a minimum of 300 hours of coverage at high schools and athletic organizations throughout the greater Dallas–Fort Worth area.

• Dedicated weekly time in a high school athletic training room

• Dedicated weekly time with FC Dallas Academy training room

• Comprehensive options to cover a wide range of sports including football, soccer, gymnastics, lacrosse, and more

• Exposure to on-field and sideline decision-making and emergency response

Research & Capstone Project

Each resident completes an independent capstone project over the course of the year. The process mirrors academic research practice and builds skills in evidence-based inquiry.

• Identify a clinical research question relevant to sports physical therapy

• Submit for IRB review if applicable

• Conduct a comprehensive literature review

• Present findings at the annual Texas Residency Symposium alongside sports, orthopedic, and neurologic residency programs

• Opportunity to submit for local or national conference presentation

Teaching Responsibilities

Residents are expected to contribute to the education of others as part of their professional development:

• Deliver guest lectures at local doctoral programs

• Lead two journal clubs per year

• Contribute presentations to clinic staff throughout the year

Sample Schedule

Accepted residents are employed by Children’s Health Andrews Institute and receive a competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package. There are no tuition fees associated with the program.

Compensation & Insurance

• Competitive Salary

• Medical insurance

• Dental insurance

• Life insruance

• Disability insurance

• Paid time off (PTO)

Additional Benefits

• Professional liability insurance

• Prescription drug program

• Health care reimbursement account

• Retirement program

• No program tuition or fees

• Group term life insurance

*Continued employment beyond the 12-month residency period is not guaranteed.

Our residents are mentored by a team of board-certified clinicians with advanced credentials in sports and orthopedic physical therapy. Faculty bring expertise across a wide range of sports medicine subspecialties, ensuring residents receive well-rounded mentorship throughout the year.

Taylor Douthit, PT, DPT, SCS, OCS, CSCS
Residency Director, Core Faculty

Laura Henderson, PT, DPT, SCS
Residency Coordinator, Core Faculty

Dhalston Cage, PT, DPT, SCS, MS, CSCS
Core Faculty

Nick Dobson, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Core Faculty

Iago Pinto, PT, DPT, SCS, OCS
Core Faculty

The Children’s Health Andrews Institute Sports Physical Therapy Residency is based at our Plano, Texas campus — a state-of-the-art sports medicine facility purpose-built to support the full continuum of athlete care. Located in the heart of one of the most active youth and elite sports communities in the country, residents benefit from immediate access to a broad and diverse patient population, high school and club sport coverage opportunities, and the rich sports culture of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.

Children’s Health Andrews Institute — Plano
7211 Preston Road
Plano, TX 75024

To be considered, applicants must meet all of the following criteria prior to the program start date:

• Graduation from an accredited physical therapy program

• Active Texas physical therapy license

• Current certification (or planned prior to program start) as one of the following: Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Response for the Athlete (ERA), Athletic Trainer (ATC), or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

• Active APTA membership (must be maintained throughout the residency)

• Meet eligibility requirements for employment at Children’s Health

• Demonstrated commitment to a career in sports physical therapy

Applications are submitted through RF-PTCAS (Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service). The following materials must be submitted prior to your on-site interview:

• Completed RF-PTCAS application

• Official transcripts from all U.S. PT programs attended

• RF-PTCAS application fee

• Three (3) letters of recommendation — at least one academic faculty member and one clinician familiar with your clinical skills

Program Length: 12 Months
Program Start: July August
Application Opens: see RF-PTCAS
Application Deadline: see RF-PTCAS
Number of Positions: 1 resident per cohort

Per ABPTRFE guidelines, please review our Financial Fact Sheet (.docx) for program financial information.

Apply Now

Submit your application via RF-PTCAS
rfptcas.liaisoncas.com →

Contact Us

Questions? Contact the Residency Director:
Taylor Douthit, PT, DPT, SCS, OCS, CSCS
Email: Taylor.Douthit@childrens.com