Physical Rehabilitation Occupational Therapy Fellowship Program (Under Development)

The Physical Rehabilitation Occupational Therapy Fellowship Program is a 55-week post-professional training program designed to develop advanced clinical expertise in the evaluation and management of individuals with complex physical rehabilitation needs across the continuum of care. Fellows will participate in structured mentored clinical experiences in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings, providing a unique opportunity to follow patients from acute and post-acute recovery through community reintegration and long-term functional management. The program combines advanced clinical practice, one-on-one mentorship, didactic education, case-based learning, and scholarly activities to enhance clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through exposure to diverse patient populations and care transitions, fellows will develop the skills necessary to serve as clinical leaders and experts in physical rehabilitation occupational therapy practice.

Program content and experiential learning opportunities are intended to support fellows in pursuing AOTA Board Certification in Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR) by providing the advanced clinical experiences, professional development, and specialty practice exposure necessary to work toward board certification eligibility and success.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program
  • Hold a current NBCOT certification
  • Be eligible for or possess occupational therapy licensure in North Carolina
  • Demonstrate a commitment to advanced practice, lifelong learning, and professional leadership

Application instructions

Applications for 2027-2028 will open October 1 through February 1st 2027.

Step 1: Complete this survey:  UNC Health OT Fellowship application – Fill out form

Step 2: Please email the following to  clinicaledreq@unchealth.unc.edu

  • Resume/CV
  • 1 page essay answering the following questions:
    • Why do you want to do a Physical Rehab fellowship
    • Why do you want to do a fellowship at UNC Health
    • What are your short and long-term professional goals
  • Three letters of references sent directly by the reference to clinicaledreq@unchealth.unc.edu  One letter should be from an academic faculty and one from a Fieldwork Educator/Supervisor who has worked with you in the clinical setting

Salary, Tuition and Benefits

Fellows are full-time employees (with competitive salary and benefits). Fellows also receive Paid Time Off for vacation, sick and holiday time off from clinic work. There is no tuition associated with the program.

Mentors and Faculty

Kristel Maes, PT, DPT, Program Director Kristel Maes

Undergraduate school: KULeuven Belgium

Graduate school: KULeuven Belgium and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Professional interest: My clinical interest is spine. In my current position as Administrator of our post-graduate programs I have a passion for education and preparing the future generation of therapists.

Why I serve as a mentor: Research has shown that having a professional mentor is beneficial to advancing your career. From personal experience, I value the benefit of surrounding myself 

with others who can give me a different perspective on a patient case, problem or project. By serving as a mentor I hope to pass on my knowledge and support a resident’s professional growth.

Emilee Moore, OTR/L

Emilee Moore

Undergraduate school: University of Georgia

Graduate school: University of Texas Medical Branch

Professional Interest: Adult acute inpatient rehab Stroke Rehab; neuro re-ed & FES/e-stim Teaching at the university

Why I serve as a mentor: I credit a lot of what I know as an OT to my mentors. I enjoy teaching and hope to continue to help grow/strengthen the occupational therapy profession through mentorship.