ROBERT ROWE, PT, DPT, DMT, MHS, FAPTA, FAAOMPT, FNAP

BIOGRAPHY

I currently serve in the role of Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs for the MUSC College of Health Professions and the Chief of Therapeutic and Rehabilitative Services ICCE MUSC Health. Prior to my current role within MUSC, I founded the Brooks Institute of Higher Learning (Brooks IHL) within the Brooks Health System located in Jacksonville, FL and served in multiple leadership roles within Brooks over 18 years including Executive Director of the Brooks IHL. One of the primary achievements within this role was the implementation of 10 residency and fellowship programs, which over the 18 year period served as an example of best practice in residency/fellowship programs as well as assisted in the development of multiple residency/fellowship programs around the country.

I am a nationally recognized speaker in the areas of musculoskeletal patient management, professional advocacy, residency/fellowship value and development, and professional issues/leadership. I have served as the President of the AAOMPT for 6 years (2009-2014) and served on the APTA Board of Directors as a Director from 2015 to 2021. I entered into a three year term as President of the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy in 2022.

Previously, I served a four year term on the APTA American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) that began in July 2008 and continued to serve as a site reviewer for the Accreditation Services Committee (a subcomponent of the ABPTRFE) until June 2015. I served as the Chair of the Orthopaedic Section’s Practice Committee from 2004-2010. I have served for 22 consecutive years as a delegate to the APTA House of Delegates for multiple Components, including the Louisiana Chapter (2001-2004), the Orthopaedic Section (2004-2010), the Florida Chapter (2010-2015), the APTA Board (2015-2021) and AOPT (2022-2023).  I served on the APTA Manipulation Task Force from 2001-2015 and served on the APTA POPTS Task Force from 2004-2007. In 2009, I completed 5 years of service as an appointed member to the APTA Advisory Panel on Practice and served as the Chair for the final year.  Prior to serving as the President in AAOMPT, I served as the Co-chair of the Standards Committee (2002-2006), as well as for a term as Vice-president (2006-2009). I have served on the LPTA Board as the Vice-president (2004-2006) as well as on the FPTA Board as a Regional Director (2007-2010) and the Speaker of the FPTA Assembly (2010-2014). I began service as a member of the APTA Awards Sub-committee for selection of the McMillan and Maley Lecture awards in 2013 and completed that service in 2015.

In 2023, I was recognized by APTA with the distinguished honor of being a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA. I was recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) in 2001. I received the APTA Lucy Blair Distinguished Service Award (2011 - American Physical Therapy Association award); the Dave Warner Distinguished Service Award (2006 - Louisiana Physical Therapy Association); the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Award for Excellence in Research, Education, Patient Care, and Community Outreach (2004 - LSUHSC); the Arcadia University Charles Magistro Award (2017 – Arcadia University); and the AAOMPT John Mennell Distinguished Service Award. I was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academy of Practice (FNAP) in March 2024.

STATEMENT

It is an honor to have been slated for consideration to serve as a Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates, for the Academy of Leadership and Innovation. I had served as a delegate for 22 consecutive years and decided to take a year away this past year. As a result of this year away, I learned I continue to be a "governance nerd" and I would value the opportunity to continue serving in this great profession that I love. I have been a long standing member of ALI and I have collaborated significantly with the ALI leadership from within my other service roles over many years, but I have not had the pleasure of serving in a leadership role for this incredibly innovative and impactful Academy. When I received the notice that there was an opening to serve as the ALI Delegate, I took some time to reflect on this potential opportunity. As a result, I decided it would be an honor and a privilege to serve ALI in a way that plays to my strengths as a recognized leader and advocate. I am fully committed to bringing a strong voice to the House to represent the best interests of ALI, the Association, and the profession. I thank you for your consideration and ask you to elect me to serve as an ALI Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates.

BRYN HAGER, PT, DPT, PCS, CBIS/T

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Bryn Hager, PT, DPT, PCS, CBIS/T, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of South Florida. She is a board-certified pediatric clinical specialist and certified brain injury specialist with extensive experience in pediatric and neurologic rehabilitation across settings. Her academic leadership includes the development of pro bono clinical programs, interprofessional education initiatives, and a pediatric physical therapy residency curriculum designed to expand access to specialized care while advancing student learning.

Dr. Hager’s scholarly work focuses on innovative, accessible interventions for spasticity management, including the clinical application of cupping therapy, as well as community-based models to address barriers to developmental screening and early intervention in underserved populations. She has authored peer-reviewed publications, presented at state-level and national conferences, and integrates her research into evidence-based teaching and clinical practice.

Committed to professional service, Dr. Hager is actively involved in the American Physical Therapy Association and contributes to community health through Special Olympics Healthy Athletes programming. She is dedicated to fostering collaboration across health professions, advancing equity in rehabilitation access, and mentoring the next generation of physical therapists to serve with both clinical excellence and social responsibility.

Currently enrolled in a Master of Public Health program with a concentration in Public Health Practice and Social Marketing, Dr. Hager is expanding her expertise in population health, program evaluation, and health promotion strategies. This training directly complements her work by enhancing her ability to design, implement, and evaluate community-based rehabilitation initiatives, strengthen interdisciplinary partnerships, and inform policy and advocacy efforts that support maternal, pediatric, and neurologic health.

STATEMENT

I am honored to submit my candidacy for the ALI-Delegate position to the APTA House of Delegates. I bring a proven record of service, collaboration, and advocacy that aligns strongly with the mission of the ALI and the role of a delegate.

As an Assistant Professor in the University of South Florida’s School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, I have actively represented the profession through committee involvement, curriculum development, and interprofessional initiatives. I am deeply familiar with the APTA’s vision and strategic priorities, having served in roles that required translating policy into educational practice, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and advocating for evidence-based, patient-centered care. My leadership in developing pro bono clinical programs, guiding research initiatives, and fostering interdisciplinary partnerships reflects my ability to collaborate across diverse professional groups—skills that are directly applicable to the responsibilities of identifying, researching, and presenting motions in the House of Delegates.

I bring strong organizational and communication skills, honed through managing multi-faceted projects, presenting at national conferences, and mentoring students and colleagues. My experience in drafting policy-relevant documents, synthesizing complex information, and engaging members through multiple platforms positions me to contribute meaningfully to ALI discussions, motion development, and member education.

I am committed to advancing the voice of the ALI within the House of Delegates, ensuring that the perspectives of our members are heard, represented, and acted upon. If selected, I will work closely with the Chief Delegate and our leadership to promote thoughtful, evidence-informed decision-making that supports the profession’s growth and the patients and communities we serve.

BRYAN BOURCIER, PT, DPT, ATC

BIOGRAPHY

Bryan Bourcier, PT, DPT, ATC, is a Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist with over 12 years of health system leadership experience. He has led large-scale initiatives in value-based care, payer reform, and Learning Health System implementation, and currently serves as Director of Operations, Quality, and Innovation for AdventHealth Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. An active advocate for the profession, Bryan serves on the Indiana APTA Practice and Payments Committee, where he has collaborated with payers to increase Medicaid rates, remove prior authorization barriers, and work to improve value-based care.

STATEMENT

I am honored to be considered for a position within the Academy of Leadership and Innovation. Throughout my career, I have sought to bridge visionary ideas with practical, measurable outcomes, advancing clinical excellence, operational efficiency, and the profession of physical therapy as a whole.

With over 13 years of health system leadership, I have led transformative initiatives in value-based care, Learning Health System design, and payer reform. As Director of Operations, Quality, and Innovation for AdventHealth Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, I oversee 42 clinics and more than 400 clinicians, driving strategic improvements in patient outcomes, cost efficiency, and care coordination. My work has included developing diagnosis classification systems, quantifying value for the profession, integrating AI into clinical workflows, and standardizing EHR data to support population health analytics.

Beyond my operational role, I am deeply committed to advocacy and professional service. On the Indiana APTA Practice and Payments Committee, I have partnered with payers to secure Medicaid rate increases, eliminate prior authorization barriers, and explore value-based payment models. I am also active in many subgroups sharing strategies on value-based care, risk-based bundled models, and interdisciplinary integration and elevating the profession through leadership.

I believe true innovation thrives where collaboration, evidence, and the courage to challenge the status quo intersect. If elected, I will champion a culture that empowers physical therapists as leaders and fosters bold thinking, open dialogue, and actionable solutions to advance patient care, professional excellence, and our shared impact through intentional, values-driven leadership.