Bob Rowe, PT, DPT, DMT, MHS, FAPTA, FAAOMPT, executive director of the Brooks Institute of Higher Learning (IHL), has been named a 2023 Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

The Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association (FAPTA), the association’s highest membership category, is also recognized as the highest honor among APTA's membership categories. The FAPTA designation serves as inspiration for all physical therapists to attain professional excellence. This honor is eligible to APTA physical therapist members or life member physical therapists who have demonstrated unwavering efforts to advance the physical therapist profession for more than 15 years, prior to the time of nomination. Only a handful of physical therapists nationwide are named as fellows each year and only 319 individuals have received this distinction since its inception 41 years ago.

“It is an incredible honor and privilege to be recognized as an APTA Catherine Worthingham Fellow and I couldn’t be more thankful to those who nominated me as well as those who supported the nomination,” said Dr. Rowe. “To be considered in the same category with so many of the APTA historical leaders that have come before me is an absolute honor.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Rowe has made substantial contributions to the physical therapist profession, and is a recognized national leader in physical therapy education and practice. For more than 17 years, Dr. Rowe has served as the executive director of the Brooks Institute of Higher Learning. Under his leadership, Rowe is responsible for developing and managing the current and future residency and fellowship programs, as well as assists in coordinating and promoting professional development opportunities for the Brooks clinical staff.

Dr. Rowe has also made significant contributions to the physical therapist profession through his service in leadership positions in the APTA and other organizations. Dr. Rowe has served for 23 consecutive years as a delegate to the APTA House of Delegates, representing the Louisiana Physical Therapy Association, Florida Physical Therapy Association and the Academy of the Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. He served as the President of AAOMPT from 2009 - 2014 and served on the APTA Board of Directors from 2015-2021. Dr. Rowe has served on the FPTA Board of Directors as a Regional Director from 2007 to 2010 and from 2010 to 2014 as the speaker to the FPTA Assembly of Representatives. Currently, Dr. Rowe serves as the President of the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (AOPT).

Dr. Rowe was previously recognized by the APTA in 2011 with the Lucy Blair Distinguished Service Award. This award honors physical therapist members or physical therapist life members whose contributions to APTA are of exceptional quality.