The MIUSA Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy
Fellowship Program

The McKenzie Institute USA Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship Program is accredited by Accreditation Council on Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Education (ACOMPTE) as a post-professional fellowship program for physical therapists in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy.

The program commenced in May 2008 to further the education of physical therapists in MDT/OMPT practice and research in the United States and was reaccredited in 2014 for ten years by the APTA ABPTRFE.  In 2020, the program gained further Accreditation through the Accreditation Council on Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Education (ACOMPTE) effective March 2020 – July 31, 2024. 

The McKenzie Institute OMPT Fellowship Program curriculum has as its foundation the teaching of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy for the spine and extremity as originally developed by New Zealand physiotherapist, Robin McKenzie, CNZM, OBE,FCSP(Hon), FNZSP (Hon), Dip MDT (1931-2013).  While our curriculum is continuously updated to meet current IFOMPT standards, Robin wrote a letter of endorsement in 2008 for the original curriculum, which we remain quite proud of to this day.

A collaborative effort between several educational institutions and health systems, the purpose of the program is to give the Fellow candidate advanced training in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy® (MDT) and Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT) while continuing their clinical practice. Continuing clinical practice will make the training immediately applicable, thereby allowing for improved retention of information as well as manual skill implementation.

Program Outcomes

The anticipated outcomes for those completing the fellowship program are:

• Development of high-level clinical reasoning and psychomotor skills in MDT/OMPT.
• Eligibility to apply for Fellowship in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT).
• Recognition of Fellowship training by the ACOMPTE.

The McKenzie Institute USA OMPT Fellowship Program has graduated 26 Fellows since the program’s inception in 2008. Ninety five percent (95%) of the program applicants have successfully completed the program.

The following are notable achievements of the program graduates:

• 26 have become credentialed as a Fellow through the AAOMPT
• 26 are members of the American Physical Therapy Association
• 26 are members of the McKenzie Institute USA
• 11 have achieved Board Certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
• 3 have gone on to achieve full faculty status with the McKenzie Institute USA; 2 are undergoing probationary faculty training
• 4 hold committee appointments with the AAOMPT
• 2 serve on the program faculty
• 3 serve as a clinical mentors for the program
• 1 holds a position in their State Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association

2024 Fellowship Program Pathway

Download Complete Program Details Here

Leading to eligibility to apply to AAOMPT to become Fellows of the AAOMPT.

• 700 own clinical hours commence at onset with ongoing designated FAAOMPT mentor consultation
• OMPT Learning Activities meeting IFOMPT requirements with a FAAOMPT mentor's ongoing portfolio review; including written and oral/practical examinations, psychomotor assessments, and live patient exams
• Introduction to OMPT course (Online/Virtual)
• Functional Anatomy and Pain Science Course (Online)
• Research Project Course (Online)
• Thrust Manipulation Course (Onsite)
• 150 hours direct 1:1 OMPT Clinical Mentorship experience with a FAAOMPT Mentor (50 hours may be virtual)
• Successful pass of an Objective Structural Clinical Examination (OSCE)
• Graduate from MIUSA OMPT Fellowship Program and apply for Fellow status with AAOMPT

The expected average program completion period is two years. The minimum time to complete the MIUSA OMPT program is twelve months and maximum time is three years from the official program start date. Our program timeline is in accordance with ACOMPTE evaluative criteria to meet IFOMPT standards in that Fellowship programs are completed in no fewer than ten (10) months and in no more than sixty (60) months.

FAQs

What is the cost of the program?

Who is eligible to apply for the MIUSA OMPT Fellowship?

What is the application process?

Program Fee

$8,500 includes all OMPT learning activities, online and onsite courses including the Thrust Manipulation course, 1:1 mentoring hours, associated materials, and a complimentary MIUSA membership providing a digital subscription to JMMT. 

Additional expenses incurred by the candidate for the OMPT Mentorship may or may not include professional liability and health insurance, licensure fees, travel and accommodations.

ABPTRFE Program Financial Fact Sheet

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants to the MIUSA OMPT Fellowship Program are required to meet criteria:

1. Minimum bachelor’s degree (BS) in physical therapy
2. Current license and state registration to practice physical therapy in the United States
3. Hold the Diploma in MDT
4. Demonstrable clinical skills within a particular specialty area:
   • Current practice in Ortho setting (minimum two years attested to by a supervisor/practice owner)
   • Broad training in OMPT with documentation of training attended (minimum two OMPT post-professional courses)
   • Open minded to learning and applying OMPT principles where appropriate with MDT principles
   • Desire to improve communication between OMPT practices and conduct research

Application Process

Admission to the MIUSA OMPT Fellowship Program is highly competitive and requires a significant monetary and professional commitment. It is expected that a total of 3-5 applications will be accepted annually into the program.

Candidates apply directly to MIUSA. The application cover sheet and all supporting documentation identified in the application must be submitted electronically by email. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee consisting of the Program Director, Academic Advisor and MIUSA Executive Director.

Applications are accepted annually on a rolling basis and those submitted on or before December 1 will be considered for the following January commencement.

Download the Fellowship Program Application Here

We welcome questions or expressed interest emailed to:

Joe Lorenzetti PT, DPT, MS, OCS, FAAOMPT, Dip. MDT, MTC - Program Director

Stacey Lyon, MIUSA Executive Director