WVU School of Medicine Physical Therapy program receives oncology residency accreditation, first resident graduates

The Division of Physical Therapy at the WVU School of Medicine has been granted accreditation for its oncology residency by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education, making it one of only eight accredited oncologic physical therapy residency programs in the nation.

“Receiving full accreditation for our program for the next five years is an accomplishment that reflects more than two years of planning and effort” said Renee McGinnis, PT, DPT, OCS, residency program director and assistant professor. “Strategic planning for the program began in January 2022 and has culminated in an onsite evaluation where accreditors reviewed our program’s curriculum and met with program faculty, program administrator and our first resident who graduated in July.”

In collaboration with the WVU Cancer Institute, the Oncology Physical Therapy Residency enables residents to receive immersive training in cancer care to develop advanced knowledge and skills. The 12-month post-professional program combines clinical mentoring, didactic coursework and immersion into interdisciplinary opportunities.

The program’s first resident, Victoria Pfab, is a 2023 graduate of WVU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She chose to continue her studies at WVU due in part to her mentorship from Research Assistant Professor Nicole Stout, DPT, and Associate Professor Megan Burkart, DPT, the first board-certified oncology physical therapist in West Virginia.

“I had the opportunity to complete an oncology rehab research project with Nicole Stout and complete an independent study in oncologic physical therapy with Megan Burkart throughout physical therapy school which made me want to continue to do more,” explained Pfab, who graduated from the program in July.

“I have been afforded many wonderful opportunities to grow professionally and clinically which I may not have ever done without the support of the residency. I am very grateful to be the first resident at WVU and am excited for the future. As the program grows, the number of patients who have access to this specialized care will grow. Oncology rehab is an amazing and evolving field. Exercise is medicine and exercise can have a profound positive impact on cancer-related side effects.”

After her graduation, Pfab hopes to stay within the WVU Medicine health system, treating patients with cancer-related physical impairments. She also hopes to start more physical therapy prehab programs to provide education and screenings, and hopefully reduce or prevent certain cancer-related physical impairments.

Burkart, who was instrumental in establishing the Oncology Physical Therapy Residency at WVU, said the residency has developed into more than she could have imagined. 

“My initial goal was to have the residency be a means to increase the availability of physical therapy to patients in West Virginia with cancer,” Burkart said. “I also wanted to graduate a well-rounded resident capable of excelling in clinical care, research and leadership. Victoria exemplifies this goal. It was an honor that the excellence of the program was acknowledged by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education as they granted us full accreditation. This will allow us to continue to grow and ultimately enhance the care given to our oncology patients."

Jacob Lehman, the second resident accepted to the program, will begin his residency in August. Prior to earning his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from WVU, he completed his degree in Athletic Training.

Lehman chose to pursue a career in physical therapy because he wanted to help people recover from pain and injury. Lehman’s inspiration to specialize in oncology physical therapy is personal – his mom was diagnosed with cancer.

“A big motivation for this career choice stemmed from my mom and her cancer journey,” said Lehman. “I chose this residency through WVU because I’ve been a Mountaineer since my first day in undergrad and have first-hand experience in the kind of mentorship I can expect to receive. The oncology residency suits my goals perfectly and as it is a relatively new field, having someone like Megan, who has been in my shoes, as a mentor will make the learning process much easier for me.”

While he is most looking forward to learning about providing the best care possible to his patients, Lehman is also excited about the opportunity to conduct research at an R1-designated institution and help further develop the residency program.

Graduates of the residency will demonstrate oncologic competency in compliance with the Description of Specialty Practice as described by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). Graduation from an accredited program qualifies residents to sit for the Oncologic Clinical Specialist examination by the ABPTS to become board-certified.

For more information about the Oncology Physical Therapy Residency Program, visit medicine.wvu.edu/pt/post-professional-residencies/oncologic-pt-residency/.