Congratulations to Our Newly Certified Specialists

We are thrilled to congratulate our UCSF Residency Program graduates who have successfully passed their board certification specialty exams, maintaining our 100% passing rate on the OCS and now NCS exams:

• Marissa Arnerich, PT, DPT, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
• Alex Hansen, PT, DPT, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
• Daniel Hernandez, PT, DPT, Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist

We would also like to extend our congratulations to our dedicated Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science faculty members who have achieved board certification and/or specialty training.

• Heather Cigas, PT, DPT, Board Certified Neurologic Specialist
• Jacob Flathers, PT, DPT, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
• Lisa Keyan, PT, DPT, Board Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist
• Leah Wylie McIntyre, PT, DPT, Board Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist
• Ainsley Faraday, PT, DPT, Acute Care Residency Graduate**

Also, a special shout-out to UCSF Health providers:

• Anne Marie Courter, PT, MPT, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

An Overview of Specialization in PT

According to the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS), pursuing a specialization in physical therapy helps PTs raise their competency level, advance their careers, earn professional recognition, and stay at the forefront of developments in research and practice. More than 37,000 physical therapists in the United States have certified specializations in physical therapy as of June 2023. Those who choose to specialize hone their skills in a specific area of expertise and work toward becoming mentors and leaders.

Physical Therapy Specialties

The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties recognizes ten areas of physical therapy specializations. Here are the different specialties you can pursue in your career: Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Clinical Specialist (CCS) Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS) Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS) Oncology Specialist Women’s Health Specialist (WCS) Electrophysiologic Clinical Specialist (ECS) Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) Wound Management Specialist.

**Acute Care Residency: The UCSF Acute Care Physical Therapy Program is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists in acute care physical therapy. This specialty is not yet recognized as a board certification by ABPTRFE.

Congratulations once again to all our graduates and faculty members for their exceptional achievements and dedication to advancing the field of physical therapy!