BTS July 2026

July 2026

VOL. 53

BEYOND THE STRETCH A Therapy Partners Group Newsletter

Freedom to Move. Freedom to Choose.

July feels like freedom...it's the season of open roads, longer days, backyard celebrations, and making memories with the people we love. Yet some of life's greatest freedoms aren't found in grand adventures. They're found in everyday moments: climbing the stairs without pain, carrying groceries with ease, taking the dog for a walk, chasing grandchildren through the yard, returning to a favorite sport, or moving through life with confidence.

That's what physical therapy helps people reclaim every single day.

One of the things that makes PT such a rewarding profession is that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to helping someone get there. Research gives us the roadmap, but people aren't textbooks. Every patient brings a different story, different goals, and different challenges through the clinic doors. That's where clinical judgment matters.

Evidence-based practice is at the heart of what we do, but so is the ability to listen, adapt, problem-solve, and make decisions based on the person in front of us. It's the balance of science and experience that allows great clinicians to do what they do best.

At TPG, we believe that trust matters. We trust our clinicians to combine the latest evidence with their expertise, curiosity, and compassion. We encourage thoughtful decision-making, collaboration, and lifelong learning—because exceptional care doesn't come from checking boxes. It comes from treating people as individuals.

Patients deserve that same freedom. The freedom to ask questions, understand their options, and actively participate in their own recovery. The best outcomes happen when clinicians and patients work together.

What’s Inside?

Page 2: Congrats Fatema Page 6: Get Paid to Specialize

Page 11: HOT JOBS - Apply now Page 14: The Bay Area celebrates

Page 16: DCE Corner

As you flip through this month's issue, we hope you'll find stories that celebrate the many ways our profession creates freedom: freedom to move, to grow, to explore, and to live life more fully.

Because in the end, that's what physical therapy is all about—not simply restoring movement, but restoring possibility.

Dena Aitken

Chief Operating Officer-GTC

Careers with TPG

Please join us in celebrating Fatema Ghani, recipient of the 2026 UOP Physical Therapy Alumni of the Year Award. Her leadership, mentorship, and lasting impact continue to inspire colleagues, students, and the profession.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Fatema! From student to CI to SCCE and now Director of University Relations, your talent and passion for clinical education shine through. Thank you for your continued service to Pacific and its students.

— Dr. Alicia Rabena-Amen, PT, DPT, Director of Clinical Education, University of the Pacific

Fatema Ghani, PT, DPT Director of University Relations

2026 UOP Physical Therapy Alumni of the Year

Fatema, congratulations on receiving the 2026 UOP Physical Therapy Alumni of the Year Award! This well-deserved honor is a reflection of your commitment to excellence, your passion for the physical therapy profession, and your unwavering dedication to mentoring the next generation of clinicians.

The impact you have made on students and future physical therapists is truly immeasurable. Thank you for your leadership, your generosity, and the example you set every day. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this achievement with you and can't wait to see the continued impact you'll make on our profession for years to come.

Congratulations again. We are so proud of you!

— Kim Kollwelter, PT, DPT, MBA, Chief Operations Officer, Therapy Partners Group I've had the privilege of working closely with Fatema over the past three years, and it has truly been a pleasure. Through our work as SCCEs, attending ELC together, and strengthening relationships with our university partners, I've had the opportunity to witness firsthand the passion, dedication, and heart she brings to her work every day. Her commitment to clinical education and the success of both students and colleagues is inspiring. I'm grateful to be part of that journey and look forward to continuing to learn and grow through her example. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

— Tyler Goslinga, PT, DPT, SCS, Clinic Director, Golden Bear Physical Therapy Fatema, we are incredibly fortunate here at TPG to have you leading our student program! The relationships you have built with universities, the support you provide to students and CIs, and the energy you bring to developing our future of the profession has made a tremendous impact here at TPG. Thank you for everything you do to strengthen our student pipeline and creating an environment here at TPG that celebrates our culture making students want to be a part of our team. Your recognition from UOP is a testament to the different you are making every day and we couldn’t be more proud to have you on our team! Congratulations on this incredible achievement!

— Ashley Piazza, PT, DPT, Chief People Officer, Therapy Partners Group

Congratulations, Fatema

TPG CAREER PATHWAYS Career growth, your way!

Residency Program Sports Orthopedics Women’s Health

New Grad Success Program Staff Clinician

Leadership Pathway Emerging Leaders Clinical Leadership Program Clinical Director Regional Director

Advanced Clinical Pathways Sports Neurology Pelvic Health Orthopedics Hand Therapy Pediatrics Geriatrics Educational Leadership Clinical Instructor New Grad Success Mentor TPGU Faculty

New Graduate

1+ Years Experience

Student Testimonials In their own words nge The Spoup something new.

Always soaking

t to help me ging environmen ga en d an e tiv ed a suppor lenge. I would This place provid providing a chal so al le hi w e dg s and my knowle a variety of case to re learn and apply su po ex t ge d a TPG clinic to highly recommen every day. something new in ga to e ac pl a

The Trailblazer

Never afraid to jump in.

I had many ha nds-on opport unities. My CI a skills and unde llowed me to d rstanding in th evelop my e areas I chose. learning throu She was supp ghout the exp ortive of my erience, and I Inspire. am happy with my time at

Player together.

The Teat m s learning happen Believes grea

Paula. From Two Trees Santa at le hi w e nc rie been azing expe s, everyone has er ag an I truly had an am m al on regi f, to my CI, to the n were longer! the support staf I wish my rotatio g. in m co el w d ing an absolutely amaz

The Promoter

"I'll be back... next time

as a PT."

I had an amazing expe rience as a student at ProSport and would hig recommend this clinic hly al to classmates and future PT students. I wo very happy to return on uld be e day as a PT.

The Opportunity Seeker Finding lessons everywhere

I loved how TPG is very This has been my favorite rotation so far. ing and open. I had learning structured, and the staff was very welcom the other PT staff who were opportunities from not just my CI, but also very much! very willing to help me! I will miss them

The Rookie

Every great clin ician has a first rotation.

Overall great experience! C onsidering this a great found was my first ro ation for upco tation, I felt it se ming experien t ces.

ilder The ConfidencepatiBu ent at a time.

Growing independence one

ssed at ng clinical rotation. I was progre azi am an s wa this t tha t ugh I tho never independent towards the end but y ver ling fee ed, spe t righ the t jus ays dge and expertise to share, alw felt alone. Lori always had knowle ring e new techniques, and always offe offering to go over skills, practic my own the same problem. I loved having kle tac or get tar to ys wa nt ere diff ndent and that made me feel more indepe t ugh tho I ee, nTr Rai on le edu sch own personal schedule. I would was cool seeing patients on my . recommend this site to anyone

The Ready to Work

Preparing for day one of a lifelong career.

Dr. Lang and the rest of the clinical staff at ProSport Carson were and very helpful in pr amazing eparing me for an en try-level practice.

r The Difference Maketers.

Proof that exceptional mentorship mat

www.reallygreat site.c oma great experience up was rs Gro My clinical rotation at Therapy Partne e learning opportunities. I was able and provided me with a lot of valuabl well as the other therapists and staff to learn a great deal from my CI as s port helped me build my clinical skill in the clinic. Their guidance and sup rewarding and meaningful learning and confidence, making this a very experience.

GET PAID A FULL SALARY TO SPECIALIZE The TPG Residency Program runs for 12 months on full salary, with 50 hours of one-to-one mentorship and senior clinicians in every resident's corner. Applications are open for September 2026.

Most residency programs ask clinicians to take a pay cut in exchange for training. That tradeoff is the single biggest reason talented new graduates skip residency altogether. Rent doesn't pause for professional development, and the average DPT is carrying six figures of education debt on the way out the door.

The TPG Residency Program removes the tradeoff. All three tracks run 12 months on a full salary. No reduced rate, no stipend model, no choosing between paying the bills and getting good.

Why does full salary matter this much?

Because the earnings advantage of specialization is real, and the opportunity cost of a low-paid residency year is what keeps clinicians from reaching it. APTA's income research consistently finds that postprofessional credentials, including board certification, fellowship training, and advanced degrees, are linked to higher earnings. ABPTRFE, citing APTA's 2023 Wage Report, states it directly: board-certified physical therapists earn higher wages across every clinical setting, and the advantage is largest for clinicians who certify within their first five years of practice.

Because the earnings advantage of specialization is real, and the opportunity cost of a low-paid residency year is what keeps clinicians from reaching it.

APTA's income research consistently finds that postprofessional credentials, including board certification, fellowship training, and advanced degrees, are linked to higher earnings. ABPTRFE, citing APTA's 2023 Wage Report, states it directly: board-certified physical therapists earn higher wages across every clinical setting, and the advantage is largest for clinicians who certify within their first five years of practice. Early certification isn't a one-time raise. It changes the slope of an entire earnings curve.

Residency training is what moves clinicians toward certification. APTA's workforce analysis found that physical therapists who complete a residency have...

...roughly 16 times greater odds of becoming board-certified than those who do not. Paid residency means a clinician can pursue that trajectory without pausing their financial life to do it.

What does the TPG Residency Program include?

A full salary for all 12 months. Residents earn while they specialize.

50 hours of one-to-one mentorship. Not shadowing, and not a monthly check-in. Fifty documented hours of a senior clinician working through the resident's caseload with them, hands-on, in real time.

Collaboration with senior clinician leaders. Residents work alongside the clinicians who lead specialty programs across 140+ TPG clinics, with access to leaders outside their own building.

Didactic learning in the specialty area. Structured coursework tied to the resident's track, so the reading, the clinical reasoning, and the caseload reinforce each other rather than running on separate calendars.

One point of clarity: the TPG Residency Program does not qualify residents to sit for the ABPTS specialist exam early. Some programs allow candidates to apply before completion. This one does not. What it does build is the 2,000 hours of direct patient care in the specialty area that ABPTS requires,4 with mentorship and didactic work layered on top. Residents still reach the exam, and they reach it with a specialty caseload behind them and a senior clinician who has already sat for it in their corner.

Which tracks and locations are available?

The Orthopedic residency is available across all TPG brands. The Sports residency is offered at ProSport Physical Therapy, Bodycentral Physical Therapy, and Golden Bear Physical Therapy. The Pelvic Health residency is currently offered at Bodycentral. Opportunities span California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington, and Oregon.

Beyond residency, TPG also hosts an NCAA Division I Athlete Fellowship at the University of Arizona and an Upper Extremity Fellowship with the Cincinnati Reds.

Who should consider applying?

New graduates who already know their direction and want to stop guessing. Clinicians two or three years in, whose growth has flattened. Anyone who has looked at the OCS, SCS, or WCS credentials as a goal without a clear sense of the next step.

Click Here

to apply or get more information about the program, including details on start dates/locations.

Applications are open! Start date is Sept. 2026

References

RESIDENCY PROGRAMS Advance Your Expertise. Elevate Patient Care.

Our 12-month Residency Programs provide advanced clinical training, mentorship, and education to help clinicians develop specialty expertise and prepare for board certification. TPG also offers Fellowship opportunities for clinicians pursuing the highest level of specialized training.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

OUR PROGRAMS: Sports Residency Orthopedic Residency Pelvic Health Residency

Take the Next Step in Your Clinical Journey Contact Melissa Buss →

Email for more Information: mbuss@bodycentralpt.net

WHY CHOOSE A TPG RESIDENCY? Participants benefit from a comprehensive learning experience that includes:

RESIDENCY PROGRAMS OFFERED

One-on-One Clinical Mentorship Structured Didactic Education Case Reviews & Clinical Discussions Preparation for Board Cert Exams Guest Speakers & Expert Faculty

SPORTS RESIDENCY Designed for clinicians seeking advanced training in sports physical therapy, athlete management, return-to-sport decision making, and performance optimization.

Sports Residency Coordinator Tyler Goslinga, SCS, PT, DPT

ORTHOPEDIC RESIDENCY Focused on advanced orthopedic evaluation, treatment, manual therapy, and clinical reasoning for musculoskeletal conditions.

Orthopedic Residency Coordinator Michael Ko, DPT, OCS, AT-RET

PELVIC HEALTH RESIDENCY Designed for clinicians seeking advanced training in sports physical therapy, athlete management, return-to-sport decision making, and performance optimization.

Pelvic Health Residency Coordinator & Sr Director of Residencies & Fellowship

Melissa Buss PT, DPT, PWCS

Student Loan Student Loan Repayment Program Repayment Program Start your PT career with Therapy Partners Group and earn up to $30,000 in student loan repayment! Repayment amount varies by location.

Who Can Apply?

PT students who meet the requirements for a TPG Physical Therapist position.

Is There a Catch?

No. There is no cost to students through a Clasp program, and you can exit at any time. Applying is not an application for a loan or credit. If selected, you will receive instructions on how to sync your eligible student loans for repayment.

How It Works!

1. Apply: Apply & get accepted into the TPG Student Loan Repayment Program.

2. Sync: Sync up to $30K of your eligible student loans on the Clasp platform.

Repayment amount varies by location.

3. Launch: Start your full-time Physical Therapist career at TPG and receive monthly payments directly on your student loans.

Program selection is not guaranteed and is based on availability, location, and organizational need. Apply & read full disclaimer here: www.clasp.com/therapypartnersgroup-pt

HOT JOBS Local Impact. National Support. Limitless Growth.

Pelvic Health PT

Physical Therapist

CLICK JOB TO APPLY! Physical Therapist

PT Assistant

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist

Regional Director

Clinic Director/PT

WHAT THE HOTTEST WORLD CUP ON RECORD TAUGHT US ABOUT HYDRATION This summer's FIFA World Cup wasn't just exciting—it may have been the hottest men's tournament ever played. With temperatures topping 110°F in several host cities, FIFA introduced cooling breaks, air-conditioned stadiums, and evening kickoffs to reduce heat-related risks.

The same heat challenges affecting elite athletes are showing up every day in our clinics.

WHY HYDRATION MATTERS Soccer players commonly lose 1.5–2% of their body weight during a match, with losses reaching 4–5% in extreme heat. Once dehydration exceeds 2%, aerobic performance, decision-making, and the body's ability to regulate temperature begin to decline. If left unmanaged, dehydration can progress to heat exhaustion or exertional heat stroke—a life-threatening emergency.

EVIDENCE-BASED HYDRATION STRATEGIES The National Athletic Trainers' Association recommends individualized hydration plans: Before activity: Start well hydrated. Pale urine, normal bathroom frequency, and stable morning weight are simple indicators.

During activity: Aim to keep body weight loss below 2%. For exercise lasting longer than an hour in the heat, beverages containing carbohydrates and sodium are more effective than water alone.

After activity: Replace 125–150% of fluid losses over the next several hours, along with sodium, to support recovery.

It's also important to avoid overhydration. Drinking beyond sweat losses can lead to exercise-associated hyponatremia, a potentially fatal condition.

CONT.

LESSONS FROM THE WORLD CUP Professional teams relied on several proven heatmanagement strategies that apply at every level of sport: Heat acclimatization: Gradually increasing heat exposure over 10–14 days improves plasma volume, sweating efficiency, and cardiovascular performance.

Cooling strategies: Ice vests, cold towels, and slushies can improve performance and reduce heat strain.

Planned cooling breaks: Monitoring environmental conditions and modifying activity based on WBGT helps reduce heat illness risk.

THE PT'S ROLE Physical therapists are often an athlete's most consistent healthcare provider. Screen for heat-related risk factors, educate patients on hydration, recognize early signs of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headache, unusual fatigue, confusion), and incorporate hydration and heat acclimatization into return-to-sport plans.

Remember: athletes returning from injury lose heat acclimatization along with fitness.

Rebuilding both is essential.

TPG QUICK TAKE Start activities well hydrated.

Keep dehydration below 2% of body weight.

Replace fluids and sodium after exercise.

Acclimate to heat over 10–14 days.

Watch for dizziness, headache, nausea, unusual fatigue, or confusion—they may be early signs of heat illness.

Remember: athletes returning from injury need to rebuild heat tolerance as well as fitness.

References available upon request.

Bay Area Student & Clinical Instructor Social Event!

Looking for your next clinical opportunity? Email Fatema: fghani@tpgpt.com

Let the good times roll

LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY? TPG is a family of outpatient PT brands committed to advancing clinical excellence at every stage of your career. Whether you’re a student seeking a hands-on clinical rotation or an experienced clinician ready for your next growth opportunity, we provide the mentorship, leadership, and real-world experience to help you thrive.

Are you a DCE looking for placements?

Email Fatema Ghani, Dir. University Relations

fghani@tpgpt.com

PT SPECIALTY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE Orthopedics

Pelvic Health

All TPG Brand Regions

Tucson, AZ St. George, UT Spokane, WA

Sports

Orange County, CA Fresno, CA Ripon, CA Neurology Salem, OR Salem, OR Tucson, AZ St. George, UT

Ventura, CA Saratoga, CA Las Vegas, NV

Ventura, CA Tucson, AZ

Opportunity awaits

Pediatrics

Chronic Pain

Ventura, CA

St. George, UT

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