PINEHURST, NC — FirstHealth of the Carolinas is proud to announce that Madison Yates, P.T., DPT, a dedicated member of the physical therapy team at Moore Regional Hospital, has successfully completed an 11-month neurologic physical therapy residency program through the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Her accomplishment not only solidifies her expertise in the field of neurologic rehabilitation but also positions Moore Regional Hospital as an accredited residency site for future therapists.
Madison’s passion for serving patients with neurological conditions led her to pursue the residency to become a neurologic clinical specialist. At Moore Regional, she works primarily with patients recovering from strokes, as well as those managing multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, Guillain-Barré syndrome, spinal cord injuries and other movement disorders. Madison's decision to join MUSC’s hybrid residency program allowed her to continue working full time at Moore Regional while completing her coursework online, with travel to Charleston for clinicals.
“Pursuing this residency was a way for me to deepen my knowledge and become a better clinician for my patients,” said Madison.
As a result of Madison's dedication and hard work, Moore Regional has been accredited as a working residency site. Madison and her manager, Erin Morstad, P.T., DPT, NCS—also a neurologic clinical specialist—serve as mentors for the program. Another physical therapist at Moore Regional is set to begin the residency program this fall, and FirstHealth is already looking to expand its offerings into other specialty areas, such as geriatric and orthopaedic physical therapy.
"Erin and Madison’s commitment to advancing our therapy programs has raised the bar for patient care at Moore Regional,” said David Botnick PT, DPT, MHA, CPHQ, administrative director, med neuro services and director, inpatient rehab services at Moore Regional Hospital. “They are helping to shape the future of physical therapy at our hospital by supporting therapists in their journey to becoming the best clinicians they can be."
Madison’s journey into health care seemed destined. She grew up with a passion for helping people thanks in part to her dad who is a pathologist and her mom who is a nurse. She earned her bachelor’s degree in public health from the University of Alabama, followed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Though she initially envisioned a career in sports medicine and orthopaedics, an experience during her training working with a spinal cord injury patient inspired her to shift her focus to neurological rehabilitation.
“I was deeply moved by the determination of my neuro patients,” Madison said. “It gave me a new appreciation for my own abilities and made me realize how much I could do to support them in their recovery."
Originally from Alabama, Madison worked as a travel physical therapist before joining the FirstHealth team. She moved to Moore County to take a contract position in Cheraw, S.C., and later transitioned to a permanent role at Moore Regional, where she has now worked for five years. For Madison, the travel role wasn’t just about professional growth, but it was also about finding the right place to put down roots and call home.
“I’ve found a home here,” Madison shared. “The team at Moore Regional is incredible. We each bring our own specialties, whether it’s orthopaedics, oncology or neurology, and we’re united by our commitment to delivering the best care possible to our patients.”
Outside of work, Madison enjoys spending time with her golden retriever, Daisy, who has been with her since PT school. She also stays active through sports like pickleball and golf. Madison and her colleagues have even created their own golf tournament, humorously dubbed the "Slyder Cup," a play on the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup and a friendly competition between the guys and gals in rehab services.
With her newly completed residency, Madison continues to shape the future of neurologic care at Moore Regional, mentoring other therapists and ensuring that patients receive the highest quality of care available.
