Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy Residency
The Michigan Medicine Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation offers a residency program designed to train and develop skills in the growing field of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy. You’ll be guided by experienced mentors, gaining knowledge and experience at state of the art facilities including University Hospital, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, and CS Mott Children’s Hospital. Nationally recognized as a premier teaching hospital, Michigan Medicine offers diverse patient populations, state of the art procedures, and top notch therapy education resources.
Michigan Medicine is a Cystic Fibrosis Care Center, Center for Circulatory Support (VAD), and Extracorporeal Life Support Program. Your clinical experience, didactic modules, and individualized mentoring will support your preparation to sit for the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist (CCS) Examination.
Program Details
Accredited by ABPTRFE, Michigan Medicine’s Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Residency Program is 12 months in length. Residents spend approximately 40 hours per week in a mix of didactic education, clinical mentoring, and patient care. Residents receive a monthly stipend, and are eligible for health benefits.
Components
- Participation in at least 150 hours of mentored clinical care and 300 hours of didactic coursework from content experts in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy.
- Exposure to all Diagnostic Groups/Categories listed in the Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Description of Specialty Practice (DSP) and Description of Residency Practice (DRP).
- Clinical care ranging across the lifespan, from neonatal to geriatric, intensive care to outpatient cardiac rehabilitation.
- Integrating foundations of research and quality improvement, in order to prepare for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary board certification application.
- Program will prepare physical therapists with the skill and knowledge necessary to qualify to sit for the ABPTS board certification exam in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy.
- Program will utilize current and advancing evidence-based research for evaluation and treatment of patients with Cardiovascular and Pulmonary dysfunctions.
- The program will produce skilled practitioners who contribute to the profession through advanced patient care, education, and research.
- The program will produce skilled practitioners who become a resource for the community in prevention and rehabilitation of CVP diseases.
- To support the mission of Michigan Medicine to advance health of Michigan and the world, achieve excellence in education and patient care.
- Program will provide multi-specialty clinical (or post-professional) education, delivered in a consistent format with excellent instruction that adheres to continuous improvement practices.
- Residency Director: Christina Fields, PT, MPT, CCS
- Emily Houser PT, DPT, CCS, NCS
- Natalia Fernandez PT, DPT, CCS
- Lisa Haggitt PT, DPT, CCS
- Jessica Miller PT, DPT, CCS
- Laura Pink PT, DPT, CCS
- Evan Haezebrouck PT, DPT, CCS
- Sara Seitz PT, DPT, CCS
- Kate Tales PT, DPT, PCS
Contact for Questions
Tina Fields, Residency Director, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Residency Program
UH – 1F249A
Mission Statement
Program Outcomes as of December 2025
Application & Eligibility
Minimum eligibility requirements for acceptance into the Residency include eligibility for Michigan Physical Therapy licensure (if applicants have not yet taken the NPTE or need to transfer PT license from another state, their acceptance will be contingent on this requirement being met), as well as compliance with all UM-Michigan Medicine employment requirements (background check, physical, drug screen).
Applicants must have a completed application with all essays, letters of recommendation, and a current curriculum vitae (CV). The interview process includes meeting with the Program Director, Coordinator and Mentors either in person or via videoconferencing.
Desirable applicants include those who have completed an extended clinical internship or have work experience in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy, possess superior verbal and written communication skills, show initiative in furthering their education and dedication to the field of physical therapy, and exhibit strong fundamentals in the principles of clinical reasoning and the application of examination.
More Information: Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy Residency Financial Fact Sheet
The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex*, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or Vietnam-era veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Senior Director for Institutional Equity and Title IX/Section 504 Coordinator, Office for Institutional Equity, 2072 Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1432, 734-763-0235, TTY 734-647-1388.
*Includes discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression.
