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Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship Information

The BodyCentral Physical Therapy Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship Program is a 14-month program that provides professional development opportunities for physical therapists to receive specialist training in the treatment of upper extremity athletes

 

The BodyCentral Physical Therapy Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship Program provides the development and enhancement of advanced manual therapy skills, evidence-based rationale for treatments, and clinical reasoning to allow the fellow to evaluate and treat upper extremity athletes across the entire spectrum.  The graduate of the program will be an ongoing resource for the BCPT staff, Cincinnati Reds, and the Tucson and Phoenix communities at large. ABPTRFE Accredited Program.

 

Description

The mission of BodyCentral Physical Therapy Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship Program is to provide professional development opportunities for physical therapists to receive specialist training in upper extremity athletes.

This will be attained through independent study, didactic education, participation in research and mentorship both within BodyCentral and through our partnership with the Cincinnati Reds.

The program will encourage the development and enhancement of advanced manual therapy skills, evidence-based rationale for treatments, and clinical reasoning to allow the fellow to evaluate and treat upper extremity athletes across the entire spectrum.  The graduate of the program will be an ongoing resource for the BCPT staff, Cincinnati Reds, and the Tucson and Phoenix communities at large.

Location

The BodyCentral Physical Therapy Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship Program currently has an approved site in Tucson/Phoenix, Arizona.

Faculty

Program Director

Melissa Buss, PT, DPT, WCS, CLT

Melissa Buss, PT, DPT, WCS, CLT

Melissa Buss, PT, DPT, WCS, CLT-LANA, SFDN – Residency Coordinator
    • Education
      • Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh, Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science, Bachelor of Science in Psychology
      • Graduate School: University of Pittsburgh, Doctorate in Physical Therapy
      • Women’s Health Residency Training: UPMC Women’s Rehab and Men’s Health Residency
    • Certifications
      • Board Certified Women’s Clinical Specialist
      • Certified Lymphedema Therapist – LANA Certified
      • Structure and Function Certified Dry Needler
    • Area(s) of Expertise
      • Pelvic floor
      • Hip
      • Sacroiliac joint
      • Spine
    • Favorite area of the body or diagnosis to treat
      • Pregnant and postpartum
    • Hobbies outside of the Clinic
      • Reading, singing with Arizona Repertory Singers, Children’s Ministry at Second Mile, Loving Tucson and showing people around the place that she loves
    • Primary Clinic Location
      • BodyCentral Swan

Program Coordinator

Kristen Waldron, PT, DPT, SCS

Kristen Waldron, PT, DPT, SCS

Kristen Waldron, PT, DPT, SCS – Sports Residency Director and Upper Extremity Athlete Coordinator
    • Education
      • Undergraduate: Bradley University, Bachelor of Science
      • Graduate School: Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, Doctorate in Physical Therapy
      • Sports Residency Training: Gundersen Health System
    • Certifications
      • Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist
      • Emergency Responder for the Athlete
      • ImPACT Certified Physical Therapist
      • Dry Needling Certified – Structure and Function Level 1 and 2
      • APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor
    • Area(s) of Expertise
      • Upper Extremity Athletes
      • ACL Rehabilitation
    • Favorite area of the body or diagnosis to treat
      • Shoulder injuries and post-operative rehab
      • ACL rehab
    • Hobbies outside of the Clinic
      • Softball, volleyball, Latin dancing, playing with her dog, and spending time with friends and family
    • Primary Clinic Location
      • BodyCentral Ultimate Sports Asylum (Ajo)

Program Faculty

Jennifer Allen, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CHT

Jennifer Allen, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CHT

Jennifer Allen, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CHT
    • Education
      • Undergraduate: Shepherd University, Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology
      • Graduate School: West Virginia University School of Medicine, Doctorate in Physical Therapy
    • Certifications
      • Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
      • Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist
      • Certified Hand Therapist
      • Dry needling - SFDN
    • Area(s) of Expertise
      • Upper Extremity
      • Baseball/Softball
      • Lower Chain Biomechanics
      • Foot and Ankle
      • Chronic Pain
    • Favorite area of the body or diagnosis to treat
      • Biomechanical overload problems
    • Hobbies outside of the Clinic
      • Guitars
    • Primary Clinic Location
      • Global
Ethan Paster, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS

Ethan Paster, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS

Ethan Paster, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS (Former Sports Resident)
    • Education
      • Undergraduate: Saint Louis University
      • Graduate School: Saint Louis University, Doctorate in Physical Therapy
      • Sports Residency Training: BodyCentral Physical Therapy
    • Certifications
      • Sports Clinical Specialist
      • Impact Trained Physical Therapist
      • Structure and Function Certified Dry Needling
      • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
      • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
    • Area(s) of Expertise
      • Concussion
      • CrossFit
      • Strength and Conditioning
      • Pain Education
    • Favorite area of the body or diagnosis to treat
      • ACL repair
      • Concussion
    • Hobbies outside of the Clinic
      • CrossFit
      • Rock Climbing
      • Skiing
      • Soccer
      • Poker
    • Primary Clinic Location
      • BodyCentral Cortaro
Sam Rauchwarter, PT, DPT, SCS

Sam Rauchwarter, PT, DPT, SCS

Sam Rauchwarter, PT, DPT, SCS (Former Sports Resident)
    • Education
      • Graduate School: University of Jamestown
      • Sports Residency Training: BodyCentral Physical Therapy
    • Certifications
      • ImPACT Trained Physical Therapist
      • Dry needling certified
    • Area(s) of Expertise
      • Endurance Athletes
    • Favorite area of the body or diagnosis to treat
      • Lower Extremity – Knee/Ankle
    • Hobbies outside of the Clinic
      • Cycling
      • Triathlons
      • Hiking
    • Primary Clinic Location
      • BodyCentral Broadway and Speedway
Mat Wise, PT, MPT, OCS

Mat Wise, PT, MPT, OCS

Mat Wise, PT, MPT, OCS – Regional Director of Operations for BodyCentral Physical Therapy
    • Education
      • Undergraduate: University of Maryland University College
      • Graduate School: University of Pittsburgh
    • Certifications
      • Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
      • ImPACT Trained Physical Therapist
      • TPI Certified
      • Dry needling trained in lumbar and lower extremities
    • Area(s) of Expertise
      • Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic Injuries
      • Post-Operative Care
      • Sports Injuries
    • Favorite area of the body or diagnosis to treat
      • Shoulder/Upper Extremity
      • Knee/Lower Extremity
    • Hobbies outside of the Clinic
      • Golf
    • Primary Clinic Location
      • BodyCentral Harrison

Cincinnati Reds Faculty

Ariana Calderon, PT, DPT, SCS

Ariana Calderon, PT, DPT, SCS

Ariana Calderon, PT, DPT (2020-2021)
    • Education
      • Undergraduate: University of Texas-San Antonio, Bachelor of Science
      • Graduate School: University of St. Augustine Austin, Doctorate in Physical Therapy
      • Sports Residency Training: BodyCentral Physical Therapy
      • Current Upper Extremity Athlete Fellow at BodyCentral Physical Therapy
    • Certifications
      • ImPACT Trained Physical Therapist
      • Dry needling certified – Structure and Function Level 1 and Upper Extremity
      • APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor
    • Area(s) of Expertise
      • Manual therapy (pursing MTC)
      • Sports: specialty soccer, baseball
      • Throwing analysis
      • Running analysis
    • Favorite area of the body or diagnosis to treat
      • Upper extremity
      • Muscle strain, knee injury
    • Hobbies outside of the Clinic
      • Spin, hiking, lifting
    • Primary Clinic Location
      • BodyCentral Ultimate Sports Asylum (Ajo)
Eric Gonzalez PT, DPT, SCS

Eric Gonzalez PT, DPT, SCS

  • Eric González, PT, DPT – Assistant Rehab Coordinator, Cincinnati Reds
    • Education
      • Undergraduate: University of South Alabama
      • Graduate School: Samford University
    • Certifications
      • Emergency Response for the Athlete
      • Dry Needling Certified – Upstream Rehabilitation Level 1 and 2
    • Area(s) of Expertise
      • Upper Extremity Athletes
      • Professional Sports
    • Favorite area of the body or diagnosis to treat
      • Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in the Throwing Athlete
    • Hobbies outside of the Clinic
      • Spending time with family; Hiking, Gardening, Sports with daughters.
    • Primary Clinic Location
      • Goodyear Reds Player Development Complex
Garrett Valls PT, DPT, SCS

Garrett Valls PT, DPT, SCS

  • Garrett Valls PT, DPT, SCS, Cert DN. – Minor League Physical Therapist, Cincinnati Reds
    • Education
      • Undergraduate: Northeastern University, 2015, Bachelors of Science – Rehabilitation Science
      • Graduate School: Northeastern University, 2016, Doctorate of Physical Therapy
      • Sports Residency Training: ATI Physical Therapy Sports Residency
      • Fellowship Training: ATI Physical Therapy/Kansas City Royals Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship
    • Certifications
      • Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist
      • Certified Emergency Medical Responder
      • Certified Dry Needling – AAMT
      • FRC Certified
      • SFMA Level 1
    • Area(s) of Expertise
      • Upper Extremity Athletes
      • Manual Therapy
      • Sports Injuries
      • Return to play programming
    • Favorite area of the body or diagnosis to treat
      • Injuries in the throwing athlete
      • Athletic spine injuries
    • Hobbies outside of the Clinic
      • Hiking
      • Golfing
      • Working out
      • Skiing
      • Spending time with friends and family
      • Traveling and trying new things
    • Primary Clinic Location
      • Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex, Goodyear, AZ

Fellow

Current Upper Extremity Athlete Fellow

Addison Tarr, PT, DPT, CSCS

Addison Tarr, PT, DPT, CSCS

Addison Tarr, PT, DPT, CSCS – Physical Therapy Upper Extremity Athlete Fellow
    • Education
      • Undergraduate: Gordon College
      • Graduate School: University of Southern California
      • Sports Residency Training: University of Southern California
      • Current BodyCentral/ Cincinnati Reds UE Athlete Fellow
    • Certifications
      • Emergency Responder for the Athlete
      • Dry Needling Certified - Structure and Function Level 1
      • Owens Recovery Science Personalized Blood Flow Restriction Certified
      • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
    • Area(s) of Expertise
      • Baseball/ return to throwing
      • Rotational Athletes
    • Favorite area of the body or diagnosis to treat
      • Shoulder
    • Hobbies outside of the Clinic
      • Baseball, Soccer, Weightlifting, Watching Minnesota sports teams and USC football
    • Primary Clinic Location
      • BodyCentral Ultimate Sports Asylum (Ajo)
      • Cincinnati Reds Player Development Complex (Goodyear, AZ)

Fellowship Graduate (2022-23)

Ariana Calderon, PT, DPT, SCS

Ariana Calderon, PT, DPT, SCS

  • Minor League Physical Therapist for the Cincinnati Reds
  • BodyCentral Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship Graduate (2022)

Program Outline

Fellows will be at BodyCentral from November 1 through early to mid-January, at which point they will transition to the Cincinnati Reds Training Facility for the duration of the season.  The Fellow will transition back to BodyCentral in approximately September pending playoffs for the remainder of the Fellowship period.

The Fellow will work 40 hours in-clinic per week while at BodyCentral and follow the Reds Training schedule while at the complex.  1:1 mentoring time is incorporated into clinic time at both facilities.

 

PROGRAM OUTCOMES:

Graduation Rate: 100% as of January 1, 2023

 

Program Overview

Fellows are provided with additional training, didactic teaching, coaching in the clinic and on the field to allow them to focus on each fellow’s unique interests and passions.

  • Graduation Rate: 100% (as of  December 2023)

The program will encourage the development and enhancement of advanced manual therapy skills, evidence-based rationale for treatments, and clinical reasoning to allow the fellow to evaluate and treat upper extremity athletes across the entire spectrum

The program will begin in November and complete the following December.

For more information please contact Kristen Waldron, PT, DPT, SCS – kristenwaldron@bodycentralpt.net

FAQs

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria: Must be able to obtain AZ PT license by start of the program and must be either Board Certified Sports or Orthopedic Clinical Specialist OR have completed an accredited Sports Residency Program.

Fellows will also need to have either their Emergency Responder for the Athlete certification or be a Licensed Athletic Trainer

 

Who is considered an upper extremity athlete?

Any person who participates in some type of overhead sport is considered an upper-extremity athlete of all age ranges and skill level. An upper extremity athlete may participate in baseball, softball, volleyball, rock climbing, cross fit, football, tennis, etc.

What is the caseload for the Fellow?
  • While at BodyCentral, the Fellow will see primarily a mix of upper extremity athletes with injuries to any body region and patients from the general orthopedic population with upper extremity injuries. While at the Cincinnati Reds Complex, the Fellow will see 100% baseball athletes.
What are you looking for in an applicant to the program?

An ideal candidate is passionate about all types of upper extremity sports and injuries, as well as continued growth and development as a professional. Additionally, it is really important that the Fellow is a personality fit with our faculty and clinics.

Is the Fellow involved with the Sports Residency Program?

Our Upper Extremity Athlete Fellow has the opportunity to mentor with our Sports Residents during their time at BodyCentral. We find this to be mutually beneficial to both the Residents and the Fellow.  Additionally, the Fellow will help teach parts of some of the Sports Residency Modules during their time at BodyCentral.

Is there tuition to the program?

There is no tuition to the program, but Fellow works at a slightly reduced salary to help cover the educational costs of the program.

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