Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency

The Baylor University – Hope & Believe Pediatric Therapy Pediatric Residency is a post-professional clinical and didactic education program designed to cultivate pediatric specialists. 

Our mission is to develop physical therapists who serve children with delays, injuries, and disabilities through innovative education, hands-on experience, and Christ-centered care, preparing them to become leaders in pediatric therapy services.

Program Features

• Generous stipend provided to attend the Annual Pediatrics Conference.
• Opportunity to serve as adjunct faculty in four courses within the Baylor Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program.
• Strong faculty support for designing and executing a research study.
• Personalized one-on-one coaching with a pediatric specialist.
• Over 150 hours of clinical mentoring by a pediatric specialist.
• Engagement in a variety of multidisciplinary learning experiences.

Clinical & Didactic Training

Our distinctive didactic model integrates training through the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program, the Academy of Pediatrics Consortium, and customized learning modules.

Residents will rotate through four unique clinical environments:

1. Outpatient Therapy: Hope & Believe Pediatric Therapy (Waco, TX)
2. Inpatient Therapy: Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Hospital (Temple, TX)
3. Early Childhood Education: Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network – Klaras Children’s Center (Waco, TX)
4. School-Based Therapy: Midway Independent School District (Woodway, TX)

Program Details

• Duration: 12 months (June–June)
• Accreditation: ABPTRFE Candidate for Accreditation
• Number of Residents Accepted Annually: 1
• Salary & Benefits: $65,000 annual salary with benefits; additional stipend assessed annually.
• Eligibility Requirements:
  • Graduate from a CAPTE-accredited PT program
  • Hold a valid Texas physical therapy license (or be eligible to obtain one)
  • Maintain a current CPR certification through the American Heart Association

Financial Fact Sheet

Program Faculty

Program Leadership

• Program Director: Casey Unverzagt, PT, DPT, DSc, OCS, SCS, FAAOMPT
• Program Coordinator: Julie Melton, PT, MPT, PCS

Clinical Mentors

• Julie Melton, PT, MPT, PCS
• Erin MacKenzie Huber, PT, DPT
• Carla Valis, PT
• Lori Anderson, PT

Residency Coaches

• Megan Flores, PT, PhD, PCS
• Liz Ardolino, PT, PhD, NCS

Application Process

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from October 1, 2025-February 28, 2026, with interviews to be held in March of 2026. Applications will be received through RF-PTCAS. As part of the RF-PTCAS application, applicants must submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Three Letters of Recommendation (at least one from a clinical instructor or physical therapy co-worker)
• Unofficial Transcript from the applicant’s PT program
• Three Essays addressing the following prompts:
  1. Why do you want to pursue a pediatric physical therapy residency? (500-word limit)
  2. What specifically interests you about the Baylor University – Hope & Believe Pediatric Therapy Pediatric Residency? (500-word limit)
  3. What do you foresee as the key factors for your success in this residency? (500-word limit)

Contact Us

For inquiries, please contact:

Casey Unverzagt, PT, DPT, DSc
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy
Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists
One Bear Place #97193 | Waco, TX 76798
254-710-8067
casey_unverzagt@baylor.edu

Accreditation

The Baylor University – Hope & Believe Pediatric Therapy Pediatric Residency has been granted initial accreditation by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) through January 2031. 

Accreditation by ABPTRFE is a reliable indicator of the value and quality of the Residency Program. In receiving initial accreditation, the program demonstrated its commitment to educational standards and ethical business practices indicative of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement that enhances the physical therapy profession.

The pediatric physical therapy residency is not subject to accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Program Outcomes