Five recent graduates of the University of Rhode Island Physical Therapy program have secured professional residencies in prestigious programs around the country, an impressive number in a single year for such an academic program.

The doctor of physical therapy alumni landed residencies in from coast to coast, in such prestigious organizations as the University of Southern California, Johns Hopkins, Boston University and more. It is a credit to the former students’ hard work, as well as the quality of the URI program and professors who teach in it.  

“Residencies often lead to Board Certification and are a terrific, nationally recognized way of advancing a PTs professional knowledge and skill,” said Professor Peter Blanpied, chair of the Physical Therapy Department. “We are so pleased and proud of these young professionals who are making this effort to extend their education; an effort which will certainly benefit their future patients and clients.”

The URI physical therapy alums securing residencies this year include:

• Kenneth Vinacco — Boston University Neurologic Residency Program. Vinacco, of Rhode Island, earned his undergrad in Biology from Stonehill College.
• Joseph Scambia — Johns Hopkins Hospital Sports Residency Program. A New York resident, Scambia did his undergrad work in Biology from the State University of New York at Albany.
• Taylor Zelitsky — Thomas Jefferson University Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program. Zelitsky, from New Jersey, studied Exercise and Sports Science as an undergrad at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania.
• Harrison Ngo — University of Southern California Orthopaedic Residency Program. A Californiz native, Ngo completed his undergrad studies in Psychology from the University of California Santa Cruz.
• Lucas DiBenedetto — VA Boston Healthcare System Physical Therapy Residency Program in Neurology. A Nevada resident, DiBenedetto earned his undergraduate degree in kinesiology from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

Part of the College of Health Sciences, the URI Doctor of Physical Therapy program features an intensive three-year course of study, during which students learn about basic sciences, evaluative and treatment theories, intervention techniques, professional issues analysis, and skills development to allow autonomous practice. Students get extensive hands-on training, beginning in their first semester through Integrated Clinical Experiences. During their third year, students spend most of their time immersed clinical settings through full-time clinical internships.

Visit the program’s website for more information on course offerings and professional experiences, and to apply.