Sports Residency

SPORTS RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Former Program Director, Dr. Zach Baker discusses if the R2P Sports Residency is right for you!

The Rehab 2 Perform Sports Residency now participates in the standardized Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program Match along with utilizing PTCAS for the application process. This process will fill our 3 available Resident positions for the start date: 9/7/2027. All communication regarding interviews and the MATCH process will come through the EXXAT.

R2P is approved by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Examiners for its Sports Residency program. R2P currently has three Sports Residents for the 2026-2027 cohort. Registration for the 2027-2028 Sports Residency cohort will open September 15, 2026 and close November 30, 2026.

This is the first and only Sports Residency in the state of Maryland offered at a private practice! The Residency is for licensed Physical Therapists who will be employed at Rehab 2 Perform and will simultaneously be undergoing mentorship and further education to prepare them for their board certification as a Sports Clinical Specialist.

Upon completion of the program and passing the board exam, the resident will earn their SCS designation as a Sports Clinic Specialist. This allows them privileges to serve as a first responder and provide sports medicine coverage at live sports events, as well as, opens the doors for a variety of academic opportunities from a lecturing and professorial standpoint should they choose.

*You will be directed to the RF-PTCAS website. This is a centralized application service for post-professional residency and fellowship education programs accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Mission

The mission of the Rehab 2 Perform™ Sports Physical Therapy Residency is to provide a physical therapist with a unique outpatient clinical experience and sports exposure, guided mentorship and didactic knowledge needed to become a highly competent and confident, board-certified sports clinical specialist. The residency graduate will use a collaborative, evidence-informed approach to deliver the highest quality of care to athletes and patients of all ages and competitive levels.

Follow along with Dr. Sam Curbelo, our first Sports Resident (now Residency Director) through her Sports Residency journey!

Important Information

Accreditation: Approved through the ABPTRFE.

Application Deadline: September 15, 2026 - November 30, 2026.

Interview Process: At the conclusion of the Application Deadline, Top Candidates will receive an Interview which will include a site visit. Residents will be selected according to the EXXAT Match Program.

Program Timeline: September 7, 2027 - September 30, 2028

Duration: 13 months (52-56 weeks, 4 weeks of extra time allotted to allow for any need to make up hours to due weather or other unforeseen circumstances)

Hours Allocation (based on 52 weeks):

Clinical: 1500+ (40 hours/week)
Sports Coverage: 200+ (4-6 hours/week average. Will fluctuate based on time of year and sports schedules)
Mentorship: 150+ (3 hours of in-person mentorship per week)
Didactic: 300+ (3 hours of weekly in-person instruction, additional online didactic to supplement)

Clinic Locations: Clinical hours, didactic teaching and mentorship portions are held at select Rehab 2 Perform locations. Sports venue coverage and observation hours will take place at local high schools and universities provided by R2P. The applicant is also allowed to seek out their own opportunities as well to supplement these options or provide for an experience more unique to their desires.

Pre-Requisites: Applicant must be a graduate from an accredited physical therapy program, hold a valid Maryland Physical Therapist license or be eligible to obtain one, be an APTA member in good standing, and have one of the following prior to start of residency: (a) approved Emergency Responder Certification, (b) Athletic Training Certification, or (c) EMT license. All applicants will need to submit a resume, cover letter, at least 2 professional references and answer our essay question.

Program Completion Rate: 90.1%, 10/11. 0/1 in 2020-2021 (voluntarily resigned due to personal circumstances). 1/1 in 2021-2022. 2/2 in 2022-2023. 2/2 in 2023-2024. 2/2 in 2024-2025. 3/3 in 2025-2026

Number of Graduates: Ten (10). 2021-2022, Resident, Dr. Samantha Curbelo. 2022-2023: Residents, Dr. Bami Adu & Dr. Christian Huckfeldt. 2023-2024: Dr. Seth Hawks & Dr. Abbie Hammann. 2024-2025: Dr. Asher Roberts & Dr. Tyler Betteridge. 2025-2026: Dr. Kyle Fuerst, Dr. Madeline Hill, and Dr. Tori Huott.

First Time Specialty Exam Pass Rate: 100%

Program Director: Dr. Samantha Curbelo, PT, DPT, SCS (drcurbelo@rehab2perform.com)

ABPTRFE Financial Fact Sheet : View Here(opens in new tab)

Dr. Sam Curbelo, DPT, SCS

Program Highlights

Over 1500 hours of clinical practice

Sports Venue and Training Room coverage at the high school and collegiate level

300+ hours of Sports didactic hours covered with R2P staff in clinic and guided by online learning module

150+ hours of In-Person Clinical Mentorship

Teaching and Outreach Opportunities

Clinical hours performed at Rehab 2 Perform™ featuring a unique outpatient sports rehab environment

Registration

Please complete the application process through RF-PTCAS.

Documents to have prepared:

Resume (Professional Experiences, Achievements, Licenses, Residencies and Fellowships Credentials and Certifications, Memberships

Cover Letter

Two Professional References

Essay Response- What do you wish to gain through participation in a residency/fellowship program? What are your career plans as they relate to Sports Physical Therapy? Why are you pursuing a Residency at R2P and what makes you an ideal candidate?

For more information and questions please contact the Residency Program Director, Dr. Samantha Curbelo, DPT, SCS (email: drcurbelo@rehab2perform.com)