Melbourne

Forest McDowell – DPT

Native Floridian graduated from the University of Florida with BS in Physical Therapy in 1980.  Worked at Winter Haven Hospital for 3 years and them moved to Melbourne to become the Director of Rehabilitation Services at Holmes Regional Medical Center in 1983.

1985 opened and co-owned South Brevard Physical Therapy providing out patient physical therapy to the Brevard county community, sports physical therapy outreach programs to 4 local High Schools, BCC (now Eastern Florida State College) and the Florida Institute of Technology.

South Brevard Physical Therapy was the first to organize free High school sport physicals along with a local physician group in Brevard County.

I studied and trained for 7 years and obtained certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy in 1987 from the Institute of Physical Therapy. At that time there were only 150 physical therapists in the country with this designation.  Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy is a form of physical therapy that has been and continues to be on the leading edge of evidence-based physical therapy.

In 1998 I was employed by HealthSouth Corp as Regional Clinical Coordinator teaching continuing education courses for physical therapists in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy throughout the southeastern US.

Returned to college and obtained my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St Augustine in 2006. I have worked in home care in Brevard County. Currently employed as Director of Operations for Beachside Physical Therapy.