Ola Grimsby Institute

Seminars • Certifications • Fellowship • PhD

The Ola Grimsby Institute (OGI) stands as a beacon of excellence in physical therapy education, boasting over 50 years of pioneering continuing education seminars, certification programs in manual therapy and exercise, Fellowship programs, and a groundbreaking PhD program. Rooted in Norwegian traditions yet infused with cutting-edge, evidence-based methodologies, our manual therapy curriculum blends time-honored techniques with modern clinical practice. Complementing this is our STEP (Scientific Therapeutic Exercise Progressions) curriculum—an evolution of Norwegian Medical Exercise Therapy (MET)—delivering advanced training in exercise design, dosage, and progression. Whether pursued individually for targeted skill enhancement or as part of our comprehensive Fellowship pathways, our courses culminate in certifications, a Manual Therapy Fellowship, and a PhD. From honing specific expertise to embarking on a transformative clinical journey, OGI’s offerings and world-class instructors are tailored to elevate your professional aspirations.

At the heart of OGI is a dynamic team of instructors, meticulously trained and united under the visionary leadership of Ola Grimsby. Each instructor has completed at least three postgraduate years in manual therapy and convenes regularly to refine their pedagogical prowess. This dedicated cadre is bolstered by an extensive network of clinical mentors, all graduates of our Fellowship program, ensuring unparalleled guidance and innovation.

These programs embody the realization of Ola Grimsby Sr.‘s lifelong dream to forge an academic and clinical residency framework for physical therapists in the United States. Drawing from his stewardship of Norway’s National Program for Orthopaedic Manual Therapy, explorations of diverse international philosophies, and global lectures, our faculty comprises seasoned clinicians with profound expertise across the profession’s spectrum.

The Inspiring Legacy of the Ola Grimsby Institute: Pioneering Excellence in Orthopedic Manual Therapy

In the world of physical therapy, few stories ignite passion and determination like that of Ola Grimsby and the institute that bears his name. Graduating from a rigorous three-year postgraduate program in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy in Oslo, Norway, in 1974, Ola Grimsby built upon his foundations from an athletic college in Denmark and the Norwegian State Physical Therapy School. Under the guidance of revered clinicians—principal instructor Erik Hansen, alongside world-renowned experts Oddvar Holten, Harald Frøseth, and Odd Bakland—Grimsby emerged as a visionary, ready to transform the global landscape of manual therapy. His scholarly pursuits extended far beyond, as he held esteemed professorships at multiple national and international universities, including Utah State University, Azusa Pacific University, the University of Ghent, and San Diego State University, while authoring numerous articles, book chapters, and textbooks published in several languages, disseminating knowledge across borders and inspiring countless professionals.

From 1974 to 1978, Grimsby blazed trails as Norway’s first representative and board member in preparing and founding the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists (IFOMT)—established in Montreal, Canada, in 1974 and later evolving into IFOMPT—while also inspiring future generations as an instructor at the International Seminar School led by Freddy Kaltenborn. His international engagements soon revealed a profound opportunity: the United States, home to the world’s largest physical therapy community, lacked IFOMT membership due to a shortage of clinical educators in manual therapy. This gap fueled Grimsby’s mission to bridge continents and elevate standards.

Between 1979 and 1983, Grimsby championed organizational advancements in Norway, serving as chairman of the Council of Teachers in Manual Therapy at the Norwegian Physical Therapy Association, the Nordic Group of Specialists in Manual Therapy, and its Council of Teachers. His influence extended to editorial boards of national and international journals, groundbreaking research programs, and authoring influential educational and clinical texts—each contribution a testament to his unwavering commitment to progress.

In 1984, Grimsby boldly launched the first U.S. residency program aligned with IFOMT standards, culminating in the triumphant graduation of its inaugural class in Los Angeles, California, in January 1986. Bolstered by the dedication of supporters like Georgia and Rick Hobusch, Rebecka Schultz, Mary Voth, and devoted past students, Grimsby’s courses surged in popularity nationwide. This momentum demanded innovation, engaging top graduates as co-instructors and program leaders to sustain the growing demand.

Relocating permanently from Norway to the U.S. in 1998, Grimsby formalized his vision with the establishment of the Ola Grimsby Institute (OGI) in 1991, aided by the secretarial expertise of Jan Cabe, past students, and consultant Dr. Edward Miller, a former vice president of the US International University. A landmark achievement followed in January 1991, when the California State Department of Education empowered OGI to confer a Master of Orthopedic Manual Therapy Degree for its Part I program.

Expanding horizons, the OGI Consortium sought and secured recognition from the Utah State Board of Regents in March 1993, registering its nationwide programs as a Master’s degree initiative. This pivotal approval eliminated the burdensome need for state-by-state endorsements, freeing OGI to focus on excellence and accessibility.

In August 1991, Grimsby united with directors of eight competing residency programs—Richard Erhard, Joe Farrell, Ola Grimsby, Kornelia Kulig, Michael More, Stanley Paris, Mike Rogers, and Bjørn Svendsen—alongside APTA’s president and vice president. Their collaborative spirit birthed the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (AAOMPT), committing to IFOMT standards and national accreditation. Their perseverance shone at a Vail, Colorado conference, securing APTA’s full IFOMT membership in June 1992—a victory that opened doors for American therapists on the world stage.

By 1995, OGI’s programs exploded, more than doubling student numbers and fortifying its foundation. That year marked historic milestones: awarding the first Doctor of Physical Therapy degree to Catherine M. Doll for her Part II completion and dissertation on “Static stretching vs. active range of motion.” Equally inspiring, Professor Freddy Kaltenborn hailed OGI as a beacon of clinical and scientific advancement, enrolling as a student, attending courses across Europe and the U.S., acing the final exam in Utah, and urging his instructors to emulate him. Though heart surgery halted his doctoral research, Kaltenborn’s endorsement amplified OGI’s global prestige.

The year 2001 saw OGI’s two-year residencies captivate audiences, with Dr. Miller mentoring around 60 dissertation candidates. OGI orchestrated an enriching visit for 20 students and instructors to the International Manual Therapy Congress in Oslo, bestowing the first Honorary Doctoral Degrees on Norwegian pioneers Erik Hansen, Harald Frøseth, and Ronald Stensnes amid Scandinavian representatives. At the San Diego Competency Forum in August, Freddy Kaltenborn received his Honorary Doctoral Degree and the Hallvard award for 50 years of authoring, teaching, and globalizing Norwegian Manual Therapy. Jochen Schomacher, the first of Kaltenborn’s instructors to finish OGI’s curriculum, earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy concurrently.

In 2003, transformative changes defined OGI: earning APTA accreditation for its first-year residency, refining the curriculum into a 12-month doctoral program, followed by a 12-month fellowship and third-year clinical specialization leading to a Doctor of Manual Therapy Degree.
The 2005 orientation doubled registrations from the prior year, showcasing diverse offerings: 10-month Certification programs, 12-month independent studies in DPT Residencies, 12-month in-class Residencies, 12-month Fellowships, and 12-month Clinical Specializations for Doctor of Manual Therapy.

Regional accreditation bids faltered in 2005 due to OGI’s innovative model, but resilience prevailed. APTA advised renaming the DPT to distinguish it from entry-level degrees. Benchmarking against accredited Ph.D. programs, OGI’s postdoctoral curriculum excelled. After rigorous application, hearing, and peer review, the Utah Department of Commerce granted OGI the unprecedented right to award a Ph.D. in Orthopedic Manual Therapy on February 9, 2007—the world’s first! Celebrations ensued, with colleagues inquiring about pathways for prior graduates.

Program reconstructions finalized in summer 2006 debuted at the 2007 San Diego Competency Forum. In 2010, Dr. Grimsby earned AAOMPT’s “Teacher of the Year” award and honorary lifelong membership.

By 2012, Ola Grimsby Jr. founded Ola Grimsby Institute Europe, mirroring the U.S. Consortium and extending certifications and doctoral programs to align with offerings in the U.S., Asia, and South America.

Administrative evolutions followed as Ola Grimsby Sr. retired from daily leadership, entrusting Dr. Brad Jordan as president alongside Chief Academic Officer Dr. James Rivard, a board of directors, and 28 instructors. Tragically, Brad Jordan passed in June 2015 after illness; Dr. Richard Kring succeeded him, with Dr. Laura Markey assuming CFO duties from Dr. Rick Hobusch after 25 years. Stability ensued, with steady enrollment in short-term courses, certifications, residencies, fellowships, and PhD programs. Dr. Rivard innovated STEP programs with new courses and certifications; Dr. Bill Hinson retired as certification director, succeeded by Dr. Dan Washeck; Dr. Rebecca Catlin updated fellowships.

OGI flourished internationally, hosting Annual Competency Forums with renowned speakers and clinicians, and establishing residencies in countries such as Sweden, Norway, Italy, Switzerland, Korea, and the Philippines, in addition to a couple dozen programs across the USA. Over approximately 50 years, OGI has empowered more than 80,000 course participants worldwide, fostering a legacy of innovation and expertise. Yet, 2018 brought economic challenges from U.S. healthcare inflation, reducing participants. Dr. Rivard resigned, and Dr. Kring was succeeded by Dr. Vicki Luebbe and Dr. Stuart Eivers.

The COVID-19 onset in January 2019 devastated the U.S., claiming over a million lives and shuttering businesses, restricting classrooms to 3-4 people. Emerging from the pandemic with diminished students and instructors, Ola Grimsby Jr. stepped up as full-time president and administrator. Completing Italy’s first fellowship program, he defied adversity despite financial strains and administrative voids like accreditation and renewals. Forging bonds with instructors, alongside Fellowship Director Dr. Alec Kay, prior Residency Director Dr. Dan Washeck, and Dr. Thomas Mollsen’s tireless support, Grimsby Jr. pioneered markets in China, the Philippines, and the U.S. In 2025, they revolutionized the fellowship into a two-year hybrid, fusing in-class immersion with online innovation via Microsoft Teams.

Today, the Ola Grimsby Institute stands as a global powerhouse, partnering with universities, hospitals, and clinical entities to perpetually evolve its curriculum. Beyond stationary residencies, fellowships, and PhDs, OGI delivers hybrid independent studies and seminars across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Its data-driven ecosystem—encompassing registration, curricula, references, quizzes, feedback, exams, mentoring, and research—empowers transformative education. With professionally accredited residencies and fellowships, Utah-registered degrees, university affiliations, and a faculty of eclectic, published, internationally acclaimed clinicians, OGI embodies the pinnacle of modern healthcare and rehabilitation.

In spite of our academic and professional achievements, we do not have all the answers. In humble admiration for the enormous potential of our profession, we challenge students to participate, to question, to learn and to share for the benefit of personal and professional growth and optimal patient care. The orthopedic manual physical therapy profession is in constant evolution. Models for explanations of our work are consistently undergoing fundamental changes; at the same time, explanations previously accepted within the discipline are now regarded as being incorrect.

This situation illuminates the importance of reevaluating our clinical work while maintaining the best from the past and developing clinical abilities related to new evidenced-based knowledge. Furthermore, it is imperative to perform measurable therapeutic procedures to meet the demands of outcome studies in compliance with current healthcare reforms and evidence-based procedures.

 AAOMPT

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) was founded in Rochester, Michigan in 1991. Ola Grimsby was one of 8 Founding Fellows of AAOMPT. At the urging of Norwegian manual therapist, Freddy Kaltenborn, a group of leaders of various manual therapy residency programs met at Oakland University to discuss common issues facing manual therapy in the United States. AAOMPT was formed out of their recognition of common interests in advanced manual therapy in the United States. A primary goal of AAOMPT was to secure US membership in IFOMPT. The original 8 members included Richard Erhard, PT, DC; Joe Farrell, PT, DPT, MS; Kornelia Kulig, PH.D, PT; Michael D. Rogers, PT, OCS; Bjorn Svendsen, DHSc, PT; Stanley V. Paris PT, PhD; Ola Grimsby PT; and Michael Moore PT became the Founding Fellows of the AAOMPT. The first officers were: President, Joe Farrell; Vice President, Richard Erhard; Secretary, Michael Moore; Treasurer, Ola Grimsby; and Member-at-Large, Stanley Paris.