Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency

To be considered for admission to the Holy Cross Health Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program, interested applicants must be licensed or eligible for licensure in the state of their clinical assignment before starting the program. Current students may apply prior to graduation. Candidates must display professional behaviors and enthusiasm for Orthopedic Physical Therapy, demonstrating a strong commitment and motivation to the profession. Additionally, applicants should possess clinical reasoning skills essential for the application of examination and treatment procedures.

To apply, please visit RF-PTCAS, where you will be required to submit the necessary application materials to complete your application package.

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Accreditation: The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education granted accreditation to the residency program in 2019. Residency graduates will be eligible to sit for the ABPTS clinical specialist exam in orthopedics.

Program Length: 12.5 months

Tuition: There are no tuition costs for the residency program.

Employment: Residents are full-time, exempt employees of Holy Cross throughout the duration of the program despite not carrying a full patient case load due to educational opportunities. Residents will earn a salary of ~85% of an entry-level staff physical therapist and are eligible for benefits including health and dental insurance, paid time off and potential travel reimbursement for presentation at a national or state conference. Residents may be eligible for student loan deferment during their time in the program. Please check with your lender to confirm deferment eligibility.

Curriculum: Residents will partake in weekly didactic and clinical education activities following the most current edition of the ABPTRFE Description of Residency Practice: Orthopedics. The curriculum as created by our program curriculum coordinator, is separated into learning units including, but not limited to, exercise prescription, differential diagnosis, evidence-based practice, upper extremity, lower extremity, lumbosacral, cervicothoracic, and musculoskeletal imaging. In addition to educational activities, residents will also have weekly structured 1:1 mentorship from residency faculty to improve clinical reasoning, manual interventions, and patient outcomes. 

*5/7 first-time passage rate on the ABPTS Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) examination.

*All 7/7 residents have fully completed and graduated from the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency

• Support the mission, vision and core values of Holy Cross Health and its Orthopedic Rehabilitation department.
• Supply advanced and innovative didactic and clinical instruction to residents to become board-certified orthopedic clinicians.
• Facilitate the development of lifelong learners and educators.
• Develop residents into professionals who can adequately analyze and contribute to literature and evidence-based practice.
• Obtain and maintain ABPTRFE accreditation as an orthopedic physical therapy residency.

Orthopedic Residency Program Director and Instructor

Dr. Brainerd earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in 2019. Driven to elevate his clinical expertise, he pursued specialized training through the ABPTRFE-accredited orthopedic residency at the Holy Cross Orthopedic Institute. This intensive program sharpened his diagnostic and manual therapy skills and led to his board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Following residency, Dr. Brainerd seamlessly transitioned into a leadership role, taking on both teaching and administrative responsibilities. In 2023, he was appointed Program Director of the Orthopedic Residency, where he now plays a pivotal role in mentoring future specialists.

Committed to continuous growth and innovation, Dr. Brainerd earned his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist credential in 2024 and added advanced training in dry needling and blood flow restriction therapy. He is currently pursuing certification in Functional Nutrition to further expand his integrative approach to care—bridging movement science, hands-on therapy, and personalized nutritional strategies to optimize patient outcomes. Born and raised in Florida, Dr. Brainerd finds his greatest fulfillment in quality time with his family. His unique blend of clinical skill, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit drives his mission to deliver exceptional care and shape the future of orthopedic physical therapy.

Orthopedic Residency Curriculum Director and Instructor

Dr. Matthew R. Waggoner is a highly experienced physical therapist with 27 years of practice in South Florida. He graduated from Florida International University in 1998 and went on to earn his Manual Therapy Certification and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in 2006. In 2010, he completed an Orthopedic Fellowship with Ola Grimsby, training alongside leading instructors in the field. Dr. Waggoner has taught at both the University of St. Augustine and Nova Southeastern University, served as the primary instructor for a 12-month orthopedic certification program, and introduced European Kinematic Taping Techniques through the Florida Institute of Manual Therapy. For over 20 years, he has been with the Holy Cross Orthopedic Institute and currently serves as Curriculum Director and Instructor for the Holy Cross I Sport Orthopedic Residency Program.

Dr. Waggoner’s diverse expertise includes training with Dr. Anthony Stecco in Myofascial treatment and spinal manipulation training with Philip Tehan, DO. A Certified Dry Needling (DN Cert.) practitioner, he combines manual therapy, exercise, and nutrition to deliver a comprehensive, whole-body approach to care. While he finds deep purpose in helping patients thrive, his greatest joy comes from his wife of 27 years and their four beautiful children.

Orthopedic Residency Instructor

Dr. Oron Fiksel is a distinguished physical therapist with an extensive background in orthopedics and manual therapy. Originally from Tel-Aviv, Israel, he moved to New York in 2007 after earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a focus on adolescent postural dysfunctions. He completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Long Island University in 2012. Dr. Fiksel then pursued a rigorous one-year orthopedic residency through the Institute of Physical Art in Milwaukee, graduating with honors in Functional Manual Therapy in 2013. He achieved Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist status in 2014 and earned certifications in Advanced Manipulative Therapy (CAMT) and dry needling in 2015. His career includes mentoring physical therapists in New Delhi, India, and opening a private practice in Tel-Aviv in 2017.

Dr. Fiksel worked at NYU from 2019 to 2021 before relocating to Florida in 2022. He graduated from the NAIOMT Fellowship Program in April 2023 and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. He completed his Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (DSc) in 2024 with research on the effect of upper cervical manipulation, carbohydrate restriction, and exercise for patients with chronic headaches. He is a member of the orthopedic residency faculty and clinical team at Holy Cross, South Florida. His treatment focus encompasses musculoskeletal conditions and metabolic syndromes, utilizing manual therapy, exercise, and anti-inflammatory nutrition.

Orthopedic Residency Instructor

Melissa Clarke earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Science from the University of Florida in 2015. She remained in Gainesville to pursue her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, graduating from the University of Florida in 2018. Following graduation, Melissa completed a residency in Orthopedic Physical Therapy at Harris Health System in Houston, Texas. Upon completion of the program, she achieved Board Certification in Orthopedic Physical Therapy.

Since beginning her career, Melissa has primarily practiced in orthopedic and sports-focused settings. She has served as a mentor to numerous physical therapy students and actively volunteers with the University of Florida’s Physical Therapy program. Committed to ongoing professional development, Melissa has completed training in Dry Needling and is currently expanding her expertise in Pelvic Health.

Orthopedic Residency Instructor

Dr. Robert Blake is currently the Manager of Outpatient Orthopedics overseeing the Holy Cross Health Physical and Occupational Therapy clinics within the region. Dr. Blake received his Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Florida International University, Miami in 2002 followed by his Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. All of his professional experience has been within the outpatient orthopedics setting. This experience has allowed him to see a great variety of general orthopedic and post-surgical pathologies ranging from adolescent children up to the older adult population. Dr. Blake has a special interest in using a “hands-on” approach to Physical Therapy that he learned while attaining his Manual Therapy Certification and completion of his Fellowship through the University of St Augustine. Dr. Blake also is also an instructor in the Holy Cross physical therapy residency program and has presented on a national level at physical therapy conferences. In 2020 Dr. Blake went on to further his education by attaining his Master’s in Business Administration from University of South Florida.

Orthopedic Residency Instructor

Dr. Sarah Maceda, a University of Florida graduate with a degree in Occupational Therapy, has dedicated over 20 years to specializing in upper extremity rehabilitation. Since joining Holy Cross in 2002, she has worked closely with hand and upper extremity surgeons, greatly enhancing patient care and outcomes. In 2004, Sarah achieved Certification as a Hand Therapist through the Hand Therapy Certification Commission, underscoring her expertise in managing both degenerative and traumatic hand and arm disorders. Her extensive experience allows her to create comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs, focusing on functional recovery and quality of life.

In addition to her clinical work, Sarah is a valued faculty member of the Holy Cross Physical Therapy Residency Program, where she imparts her knowledge to the next generation of therapists. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys exercising, reading, and spending quality time with her family, effectively balancing her dedication to her patients with her personal well-being and family life.

Orthopedic Residency Consultant

Dr. Alex Bonhomme received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Miami in 2010. He then completed a year-long orthopedic residency at Harris County Hospital District in Houston, TX. Following residency, he returned to Miami, FL as an outpatient physical therapist and an orthopedic residency coordinator at the University of Miami. In his pursuit of constant skill development, he received his ABPTS board certification in orthopedics in 2012 and completed an AAOMPT credentialed orthopedic and manual therapy fellowship in 2013. Dr. Bonhomme created the Orthopedic Residency program at Holy Cross in 2019 and was the former Program Director up until 2022. In 2022 he started working as an Assistant Professor at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Dallas Texas. Dr. Bonhomme’s acts as a consultant for the Orthopedic Residency program predominantly helping residents conduct research. His professional interests include manual therapy, chronic pain management and advancing residency/fellowship/academia education in physical therapy.