Orthopedic (Orthopaedic) residency

Mountain Land’s Orthopedic (Orthopaedic) Residency is designed for physical therapists who want to build advanced skills, gain mentorship from expert clinicians, and prepare for board certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS).

Through a combination of patient care, one-on-one mentorship, advanced coursework, and specialty clinical experiences, our residency equips you with the knowledge and confidence to become a leader in orthopedic physical therapy.

Why choose Mountain Land?

You will gain over 150 hours of one-on-one mentorship, treat patients under expert guidance, and participate in advanced coursework and specialty training. Our program includes musculoskeletal ultrasound training, surgical observations, and spine rounds that give you a unique diagnostic and clinical edge.

Alongside these experiences, you will complete leadership and research projects, present at professional events, and graduate fully prepared to sit for the ABPTS Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist exam.

Program structure at a glance

Program outcomes

This physical therapy residency program is currently seeking accreditation from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTRFE) and is not yet considered an accredited program. Individuals enrolling in this program should be aware that the program’s curriculum and structure may be subject to change as we work towards achieving accreditation status. No representation is made that completion of this program guarantees eligibility for board certification or any specific employment opportunities. Program data, including residency completion and OCS passing rates, will be published by June of 2027. 

Admission requirements

To be eligible for the Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency, the following minimal requirements must be met before starting the program and be maintained throughout the residency year.

• Have current licensure as a physical therapist by the Utah Board of Physical Therapy or anticipated licensure upon graduation from an accredited physical therapy program in the application year.
• Comply with Mountain Land Partners’ general employment requirements, which may include a criminal background check and pre- and post-employment drug screening.
• Can meet the physical demands of a Physical Therapist
• Be a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and an Orthopedic Academy member
• Other requirements include:
  • 2-3 Letters of recommendation. If this is the applicant’s first employment since graduation, one reference must be from a PT who taught the applicant in an academic setting and one must be from a PT where the applicant was a student.
  • Curriculum Vitae/Resume
  • Official Transcripts.

Application and associated documents to be submitted to Mountain Land Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@mlpt.com

Ready to apply?

Mission

The mission of the Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners Orthopedic Residency is to provide practicing clinicians advanced orthopedic didactic and clinical instruction to further develop highly skilled clinicians who provide exceptional, evidence-based, patient-centered care and to help position them to be future leaders within the company and the profession.

Our Instructors

Chase Pendley, PT, DPT, OCS, SMSK

Clinic Director, Physical Therapist, Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist

Dr. Chase graduated from Augusta University with his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree in May 2018. Upon completion of his degree, he went on to complete a year and a half long orthopedic residency at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center where he received advanced training in the management of complex musculoskeletal injuries. He then passed the orthopedic specialty exam in 2020 to become a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). After almost 5 years of being away from Utah and family, he is happy to be back in the mountains where he enjoys hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter with his family. Chase has a passion for all things related to orthopedic practice, and helping others move better and feel better.

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Caroline Rybicki, PT, DPT, OCS, SMSK

Clinic Director, Physical Therapist, Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist

Dr. Caroline obtained her Associates in Allied Health and her minor in French at Southern Adventist University. She then attended Andrews University and received her Bachelors in Health Science and continued to obtain her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Caroline is also a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist. Caroline enjoys working with runners in all capacities and treating those with bone stress injuries. Caroline feels strongly that with the proper loading and strengthening, patients can get back to their activities after various injuries. As a runner herself, Caroline can connect with her patients and allow them to feel cared for from start to finish. Caroline is an endurance junkie and loves testing her skills through trail running, fast-packing, backcountry skiing, and mountain biking. Caroline also has an artsy side and enjoys crafting, drawing, and painting.

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Kyle Herauf, PT, DPT, OCS

Clinic Director, Physical Therapist, Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist

Dr. Herauf has been very active his whole life and played sports all through high school. When the time came for college he knew that he wanted a job that required quick thinking and would allow him to help people. It was then he decided to attend the University of North Dakota where he attained his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2013. Kyle firmly believes that the more a clinician exposes themselves to new ideas the better they become. It is for this reason that you will always find him reading journal
articles, attending courses and committing himself to lifelong learning. Kyle’s commitment and lifelong learning earned him his Board Certification Specialty in Orthopedic Physical Therapy in 2017. He particularly enjoys working on his manual therapy skills, exercise development and building a rapport with every person that walks through the door. Above all else his primary interest is helping his patients to achieve their goals and you can bet that he will do everything he can to ensure that you get where you want to go.

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Ariel Branden, PT, DPT, OCS

Director of Clinical Excellence, Physical Therapist, Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist

Dr. Ariel Branden is Mountain Land’s Director of Clinical Excellence and a board-certified orthopedic specialist. She holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Sacred Heart University, which she obtained in 2018, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Skidmore College, earned in 2014. Ariel has specialized training in pelvic physical therapy and a keen interest in treating individuals with chronic pain. She has advanced training in dry needling techniques, including applications for the pelvic floor, and has experience teaching dry needling courses and working with Doctor of Physical Therapy students. She completed a residency in orthopedics at Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA. Her treatment philosophy emphasizes educating and empowering patients, with the goal of fostering independence in their health management. Ariel was inspired to enter the field of physical therapy to help individuals enhance their lives through a holistic approach while building meaningful relationships. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, and camping.

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Madison Splan, PT, DPT, WCS

Director of Operations, Physical Therapist, Board Certified Women's Specialist

Dr. Madison earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences from Boise State University, followed by her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from A. T. Still University in 2014. Madison is Board Certified in Women’s Health through the American Physical Therapy Association and specializes in pelvic health for women and men, as well as for children. She has a special interest in pregnancy, pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and constipation, and utilizes equipment including biofeedback and a pelvic floor stimulator. Madison is also certified in ASTYM therapy to improve tissue function with conditions including tennis elbow, Piriformis syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and post-partum diastasis recti. When treating patients, Madison believes in taking a hands-on, holistic approach and looks beyond the affected region to help solve the current problem and prevent future injuries throughout the kinetic chain. When not in the clinic, Madison loves to be outdoors with her family and friends while snowboarding, hiking, camping, and boating. She is also enjoying her most important role as a new mom, spending quality time raising her young son and watching him grow, learn, and explore the world around him.

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Matt Okelberry, PT, DPT, ECS, OCS, SMSK

EMG Services Director, Physical Therapist, Board Certified in both Clinical Electrophysiology and Orthopedics

Dr. Matt graduated with an Exercise Science degree from Brigham Young University in 2016. He went on to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from South College in 2018. Matt, a residency-trained Electrophysiologic Clinical Specialist (ECS) and an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), is an expert in nerve testing, excelling in nerve conduction (NCV) and electromyography (EMG). He provides essential information to physicians, aiding in pain source identification and recommending suitable medical interventions and physical therapy options. Matt’s therapy philosophy centers on the belief that”movement is medicine and you can’t go wrong getting strong.” He takes delight in unraveling each patient’s unique puzzle by combining their story, symptoms, and objective data from nerve tests to help them get the best treatment. Outside of work, Matt cherishes spending quality time with his wife and three children. Their shared love for the outdoors brings them together for camping, hiking, and water activities.

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Support Staff

Jason Lobb, PT, OCS

Chief Operations Officer, Physical Therapist, Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist

Jason Lobb is a healthcare leader and physical therapist whose journey with Mountain Land Physical Therapy reflects his deep commitment to patient care, leadership, and team development. Originally from Maine, Jason began his career with Mountain Land as a PRN therapist and advanced through multiple leadership roles to become Chief Operating Officer, bringing firsthand clinical experience and operational insight to the organization’s continued growth. Known for his collaborative leadership style and focus on building strong teams and meaningful patient experiences, Jason has played a key role in shaping the company’s culture and success. Outside of work, he is an avid mountain biker and outdoor enthusiast who loves spending time with his family and values the resilience, balance, and adventure found both on the trails and in leadership.

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Bart McDonald, PT, MPT, ECS, RMSK

Physical Therapist, Board Certified in EMG/NCS

Bart McDonald, PT, MPT, ECS, RMSK, is the former president and owner of Superior Physical Therapy. Bart began his career at an outpatient clinic in Montana. He later worked at Bannock Regional Medical Center. Bart started Aspen Physical Therapy and later decided to open his own clinic, Superior Physical Therapy in 2008 which has grown to four clinics in southeast Idaho. Bart graduated with his Master’s in Physical Therapy from Emory University School of Medicine in 2000. He specializes in knee, shoulder, and spine rehabilitation, Electromyography, and Nerve Conduction Study testing and is ASTYM certi’ed. He is Board Certified in Clinical Electrophysiology and is a Fellow in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. Bart grew up in Nampa, Idaho, is married, and has three children and one grandchild. When he’s not working, he is spending time with his family, water skiing, or downhill skiing.

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