Physical Therapy Department
The Physical Therapy Department at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center began as an organized unit in the late 1920s and is one of the premier departments of Physical Therapy in the world, providing over 75 years of clinical expertise and leadership in rehabilitation. Our commitment to excellence continues today with the delivery of individualized care, infusion of evidence into clinical practice, education for the professional community, clinical research, and a spirit of innovation and progress.
We are currently staffed with 37 licensed physical therapists who provide inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation therapy as well as consultations for clinics and specialty services. Our physical therapists average over 8 years of clinical experience, and some have as many as 20 or more years of expertise with patients with complex neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions. Over one-third of our PT staff possess the clinical Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Eight of our physical therapists are Board-Certified in Neurologic Physical Therapy, making up over 20% of the clinical specialists in this clinical area in the State of California.
In the last decade alone, Rancho physical therapists have mentored over 800 physical therapy interns and students and have contributed to the training of other disciplines’ residents and interns as well. The University of Southern California-Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center Clinical Residency Program in Neurologic Physical Therapy is one of the first two post-professional clinical residency programs in neurologic physical therapy in the country.
The Pathokinesiology Laboratory, a unit of the Physical Therapy Department, was founded by Jacquelin Perry, MD (and PT) and is today directed by Sara J. Mulroy, PT, PhD. The Pathokinesiology Laboratory has been a leader in the research and clinical study of gait, muscle function, and pathomechanics for decades. Current federally funded (NIH, NIDRR) research involves investigations of shoulder function and interventions for individuals with spinal cord injury who use wheelchairs or assisted gait for mobility, ankle-foot orthotic design for individuals with CVA, and custom inserts for amputation prevention in people with diabetes mellitus. In addition, the Pathokinesiology Lab was a primary center for a multi-institution (USC, Northwestern University) study of strength training for locomotor recovery following stroke, funded as part of a new Clinical Research Network by the Foundation for Physical Therapy.
Advancing Neurologic Practice - Nov 11-14, 2010
The Neurologic Physical Therapy Professional Education Consortium presents Advancing Neurologic Practice - Module II: Intervention, Analysis and Techniques at the USC Clinical Residency/Fellowship Training Center in Los Angeles, California. The coursework is divided into two 4-day blocks to maximize your educational experience and minimize your time away from the clinic. Early Bird Rate applies until Sept. 1. Select this link for more information and to register online.
Clinical Services
Employment Opportunities in Physical Therapy
USC/RLANRC Clinical Residency Program in Neurologic Physical Therapy
For more information contact
Shenette Davis
Physical Therapy Department
E-mail: pt@rancho.org
Tel: (562) 401-7061 / Fax: (562) 401-6690