Geriatric PT Residency Program

Siskin Hospital and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Geriatric PT Residency program prepares therapists to provide our geriatric patients with the highest standard of care. Using the most current evidence-based practices achieves better outcomes and improves patient satisfaction with the therapy services they receive.

Program Mission

The Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Geriatric Residency program will provide advanced education, mentorship, and clinical experience through diverse and varied opportunities to clinicians seeking to become specialists in the field of Geriatric Physical Therapy.  By committing to continuous improvement, our program aims to educate residents to provide specialized care and advocate for the well-being of geriatric patients in the Greater Chattanooga area.

A man receiving a physical therapy treatment from a female therapist while another woman observes.

  • The resident will provide patient care as a part of our outpatient clinical staff with a focus on patients that present with geriatric conditions listed in the Description of Specialty Practice and Description of Residency Practice (DRP). They will participate weekly in four hours of scheduled mentored treatment time, two hours of preparation to create an outline for patient treatments during mentored hours and weekly goals and four hours per week of didactic experiences (competencies, planning presentations, development of case study/research, online coursework).

  • Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation uses the program developed by MedBridge as the main didactic component of the program. The curriculum includes online educational modules developed to provide education on the items identified in the Description of Residency Practice and Description of Specialty Practice; multiple practice examinations; and various onsite learning experiences with Siskin Hospital and UT Chattanooga. The facility will cover the cost of the online curriculum, but all travel expenses for any off-site weekend courses will be covered by the resident. Included in the online curriculum is content that focuses on the most current evidence-based practice, integration of knowledge into practice, leadership, statistics and critical inquiry, and information on geriatric conditions listed in the primary health conditions chart in the DRP. It will also provide at least one practice examination, which will be completed in preparation for the GCS Examination.

    • The resident will have the opportunity to shadow a PT/OT team in specialty movement clinics and area hospitals (ALS).

    • Acute Care Simulation Lab (UTC)

    • MBSS shadowing experience

    • Seating and Positioning Lab

  • The resident will complete an educational presentation on the topic of their choice to a local organization (i.e. Support groups for Parkinson’s Disease). The resident will be required to attend one meeting for each local support group. The resident will assist in facilitating lectures/labs in the geriatric coursework with the UT Chattanooga DPT program.

    The resident will complete an on-site lunch-and-learn presentation on a topic of their choice to provide education to other clinicians or support staff.

  • Research is important to the growth and development of the field of physical therapy.  Siskin Hospital promotes research by requiring the resident to conduct a case study during their residency. The resident will identify a case subject during their first clinical experience in order to complete a case report by the completion of the residency program.

  • An external candidate resident will be paid a rate equivalent to an entry-level physical therapist salary at the facility.  Internal candidates will maintain their current salary and benefits.

    The resident will be offered benefits of a full-time employee including health insurance coverage and PTO, and will be on a one-year contract.

  • First year cohort in progress as of March 2026.

Faculty & Administration

  • Headshot of Mat Annessi

    Matt Annessi, PT, DPT, NCS

    Program Director & Neurologic faculty mentor

    • Board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy

    • DPT, Emory University; BA Natural Sciences, Covenant College

  • Headshot of Stephanie Eton

    Stephanie Eton, PT, DPT, GCS, NCS

    Program Coordinator & Research Advisor

    · Board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy

    · Board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy

    · Graduate of Faculty Development Residency and Fellowship in Higher Education and Leadership

    · DPT, University of South Florida; BS Psychology, University of Central Florida

  • A man with red hair and beard smiling outdoors, wearing a checkered shirt with a badge that reads 'Kyle, Director of OP Therapy Services' from Siskin Hospital.

    Kyle Binkley, PT, DPT, GCS, NCS

    Faculty Mentor

    · Board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy

    · Board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy

    · DPT, Harding University; BS Exercise Science, Harding University

  • Headshot of Vickie Blalock, PT

    Vickie Blalock, PT

    Endocrine/Lymphedema Faculty Mentor

    · BS in Physical Therapy, University of North Carolina

  • Headshot of Doug Daniel

    Doug Daniel, PT, DPT, OCS

    Orthopedic Faculty Mentor

    · Board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy

    · DPT, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga; BS Rehabilitation Sciences, University of TN-Chattanooga

  • Headshot of Ross Von Glahn

    Ross Von Glahn, PT, DPT

    Frailty/Debility Faculty Mentor

    · DPT, University of Wisconsin-La-Crosse; BS Physics and Biomed Concentration, University of Wisconsin-La-Crosse

Application Process

Acceptance to the program will be based on the candidate’s ability to provide exceptional patient-centered care, advanced critical thinking skills, and dedication to continued learning and clinical growth. Qualified applicants will have demonstrated professional investment and development through research exposure, evidence-based practice and leadership opportunities. Flexibility, time management and communication skills are highly valued, as is the versatility to work in varying environments with a multidisciplinary team.

  • In-person interviews are required.

  • We will not sponsor Visas for international applicants.

  • Applications will also be accepted via American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) Residency/Fellowship Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS). The resident will be able to reference the website for instructions on how to apply.

Please submit:

  • Resume, cover letter, and CV

  • Two Letters of Recommendation

Program Duration: 12 months
Accreditation: Candidacy Status
Application period: October 1, 2025 - February 27, 2026
On-site Interview Date: February & March 2026

Admission decision: Following completion of review of candidates and interviews
Program start: August 3, 2026
Online curriculum begins: July 2026

Prerequisites: The applicant must be a graduate from an accredited physical therapy program, have a valid Tennessee physical therapist license, or acquire license prior to residency start date.

The program director may be contacted for further information at: geriatricresidencyprogram@siskinrehab.org or mannessi@siskinrehab.org

Geriatric Residency Financial Fact Sheet