Mark Bowden, PT, PhD Joins Brooks Rehabilitation as New Vice President of Clinical Integration and Research

Brooks Rehabilitation is pleased to announce the addition of Mark Bowden, PT, PhD, as the new Vice President of Clinical Integration and Research. After an extensive review from an advisory panel of nationally recognized rehabilitation researchers, Dr. Bowden was selected for this new role to advance the science of rehabilitation and further integrate research into clinical practice at Brooks.

Since its establishment in 2010, the Brooks Clinical Research Center (CRC) has been devoted to conducting innovative research studies that are focused on recovery. By leveraging strong relationships with academic, clinical, and industry partners, the CRC conducts high-impact research that tackles real world problems in rehabilitation in order to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. To date, Brooks researchers have garnered multi-million dollar grants, several national awards, and hundreds of peer-reviewed publications. As the caliber of research expands at Brooks, so does the focus to become a national leader in clinical research.

“During my 20+ years of involvement in rehabilitation research, I have realized that the biggest need is to translate effective research protocols into clinical practice in order to improve the functional- and performance-based outcomes of rehabilitation patients,” said Dr. Bowden. “Due to its established excellence, the Brooks enterprise presents as an amazing opportunity to not only optimize current outcomes, but use those data to influence future clinical decision-making. My vision for the Brooks CRC is to be a national leader in utilizing both best evidence and practice-driven data to assist individuals in achieving their highest level of recovery and participation in life.”

Dr. Bowden has been with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) since 2010 and was Professor and Director of the Division of Physical Therapy and the Department of Health Science and Research as well as being the College of Health Profession Strategic Lead for the development of the MUSC Health Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute. He was involved in the University of Florida Gainesville research and education community from 2002-2010 serving as a research physical therapist for the Brain Rehabilitation Research Center (BRRC) and as an adjunct faculty member with the University of Florida Department of Physical Therapy. He was also an instructor for the Brooks Neurologic Residency Program from 2008 – 2018.

Dr. Bowden’s professional accomplishments include an extensive research portfolio, numerous peer reviewed publications, a national lecturer in the field of neurologic rehabilitation as well as receiving numerous awards for teaching excellence.

Bowden holds a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Florida with an emphasis in Movement Science. He also holds an MS degree in Physical Therapy and a BS degree in Psychology – both from Duke University.

“We are delighted that Dr. Bowden is now officially part of the Brooks team and can help us continue to advance the field of rehabilitation, enhance our clinical care delivery, patient outcomes and develop a health care system that is beyond expectations,” said Trevor H. Paris, MD, FAAPMR, System Chief Medical Officer, Brooks Rehabilitation.