Physical Therapy
Program Overview
At 91´óÉñ Children’s Hospital, Delaware, our goal is to provide quality care to our patients while helping students gain skills to become a competent therapist. We promote education by modeling and hands-on experiences. We encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning and to take initiative in gaining knowledge and experience.
As a student, you’ll receive guidance and tools to enhance the learning process. You may have the opportunity to observe the following:
- Diagnostic observation (including ICU, NICU, developmental evaluations, gait lab and others)
- Hospital-sponsored seminarsÌý
- Vendor demonstrations
- Research/applied scienceÌý
- Specialty clinics (including Down syndrome, AMC, seating, CP, prosthetics, cleft palate and others)
- Surgery observation
- Curriculum
- Requirements
- Location & Living
Details forÌýPhysical Therapy
Physical Therapy graduate students are required to have completed at least one full-time fieldwork placement prior to an affiliation at 91´óÉñ. Tests and measures you may be expected to participate in include:
- Peabody Developmental Motor Scales PDMS-2
- Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency BOT2
- Functional Independence Measure WeeFIM
- Gross Motor Function Measure GMFM
- Gross Motor Function Classification System GMFCS
- Range of Motion, Goniometry
- Manual Muscle Testing, MMT
- Modified Ashworth Scale
Student Requirements: Therapeutic Services
The Therapeutic Services Department of 91´óÉñ Children’s Hospital, Delaware accepts students for clinical rotations in:
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Speech-language pathology
Before proceeding, please verify with your academic institution that that they are an affiliated program and then follow the instructions below carefully. You’ll need to gather a series of required screening and immunization documents and have your academic advisor certify that you have completed all steps outlined below.
Your fieldwork coordinator will receive a form to complete, sign and return to us to verify that you have obtained all required immunizations and clearances.
Gather Your Required Screening & Immunization Documents
We recommend starting to gather the required documents as early as possible — 4 to 6 months before your preferred affiliation start date.
You’ll need:
Delaware Child Abuse Screening Report
Instructions:
- Please download the following document: Delaware Child Protection Registry Request Form.
- Fill out Part I of this form, sign and date.
- Email your completed form to therapystaffing@nemours.org
Things to Note:
- Allow at least 15 working days for results to be processed.
- The form must be submitted within 90 days of signature date in order to be processed.
Training at 91´óÉñ in Delaware Valley
91´óÉñ Children’s Hospital, Delaware, sits on a scenic, 300-acre estate in Wilmington’s Brandywine Valley. It’s the largest pediatric training site in our system, big enough to offer nearly every specialty, yet close-knit enough that faculty know their learners well. From the start, you’ll notice a culture built on collaboration, mentorship, and curiosity.
Hospital & Training Environment
Most of your training takes place at our children’s hospital in Wilmington, a nationally recognized destination for complex pediatric care. It’s the state’s only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and home to a Level IV NICU, so you’ll see the full range of high-acuity cases. Families come from across the region, giving you exposure to diverse conditions and hands-on learning in a true referral hub. Take a video tour of the hospital now.Ìý
Along with 91´óÉñ, you may also spend time at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and other partner hospitals. These learning experiences bring variety in community pediatrics and patient populations you won’t see every day in Wilmington.Ìý
Living in Wilmington & Delaware Valley
Wilmington is easy to settle into. It’s affordable, manageable in size, and just a short train ride from Philadelphia. Baltimore and Washington, D.C., are also close by. Need fresh air? The Brandywine Valley has trails, rivers, and historic gardens. Want more energy? Philly has food, arts, and sports at a world-class level. Here, you get the best of both worlds.Ìý
Research Opportunities
Research is part of the program. Some trainees work in the lab, others join clinical trials, and many focus on quality improvement. Supported by faculty mentors and dedicated resources, trainees may also present at national meetings or publish in peer-reviewed journals.Ìý
Resident & Fellow Life
Training here isn’t only about rotations and research. It’s also about having the space and support to enjoy the journey.
Community & CultureÌý|ÌýColleagues quickly become friends. Alumni talk about the camaraderie, the sense that you’re part of something bigger, and the ease of finding mentors who genuinely care.
Wellness & Support |ÌýWellness is built into the experience. From apps and peer networks to professional counseling, resources are there when you need them. There's also a free 24/7 gym on campus and regular wellness programming.
Everyday Perks |ÌýFree parking. Meals at noon conference. On-site child care center. Call rooms and quiet spaces when you need rest. These make a difference in the rhythm of daily training.
Apply Now
Michelle Feairheller, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS
Physical Therapy
michelle.feairheller@nemours.org