If you experience heart problems, you see a cardiologist. If you’re designing an outdoor space, you hire a landscape architect. When planning your estate, you consult an attorney specializing in wills and trusts.
Specialization also exists in physical therapy (PT). Patients can receive care from PT specialists in areas such as acute care, cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation, geriatrics, electrophysiology, orthopedics, neurology, oncology, women’s health, sports rehabilitation and wound management. Specialists practice at least 1,800 hours in their area of specialization and pass an exam to achieve their advanced certification.
Currently, Indiana has only seven accredited specialty training programs for physical therapists. With demand exceeding availability, Indiana University’s (IU) physical therapy program, in collaboration with IU Health, is launching a new joint residency program to expand training opportunities. Adam Culiver, PT, DPT, Ph.D., has been appointed as joint rehabilitation services residency manager and clinical assistant professor. He begins his role on March 3.
“We have three programs we’re going to develop, starting with wound care, cardiovascular and pulmonary, and neurology residencies,” Culiver said. “There’s a lot of accreditation work that has to be done to start, so my goal is to have as much or all of the accreditation paperwork ready to submit by the end of the year.”
Once submitted and approved, the program will enter a candidacy phase under the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency & Fellowship Education.
“It’s a long process,” Culiver added, “but I’m hopeful we will accept our first residents for fall of 2026.”
An experienced clinician, educator, researcher and mentor, Culiver earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of Evansville in 2015 and a Ph.D. in health and rehabilitation sciences from The Ohio State University.
His passion for physical therapy began in high school when an injury introduced him to the field. Inspired by his physical therapist, he developed an interest in movement and rehabilitation. He later conducted research at the University of Evansville and completed a sports residency with Texas Health Sports Medicine after PT school.
Culiver credits his residency experience with not only improving his clinical skills but also sharpening his critical thinking abilities. He plans to model IU’s residency program after other respected programs, customizing best practices for IU Health and IU’s physical therapy program. He also hopes to include a significant research component for residents. Since no structure currently exists, he will build the program from the ground up.
“This type of advanced clinical training will allow us to expand services for patients and elevate our program,” said Kristine Miller, Ph.D., PT, associate professor and director of IU’s physical therapy program. “We’ll also fill a critical gap in PT education, filling that void as we extend our teaching capacity.”
“Having physical therapists with advanced certifications enhances both patient care and outcomes,” Culiver said. “We can provide better services to the community and demonstrate that IU is committed to training the best physical therapists possible, ensuring that patients receive not only PT services, but specialized care.”