Meet Robert Bowers, DO, PhD
Robert Bowers, DO, PhD, is a sports medicine physician at the Emory Sports Medicine Center. Growing up in Atlanta, he attended Woodward Academy before moving on to Furman University in South Carolina. There, he played Division 1 college baseball and majored in health and exercise science. He then attended graduate school at Auburn University where he earned a Master of Education degree in exercise science and a PhD in kinesiology/exercise physiology.
Following graduate school, Dr. Bowers earned his medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia Campus. He completed his residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Emory University School of Medicine, where he served as chief resident. Subsequently, he completed a sports medicine fellowship at Emory as well.
Currently, Dr. Bowers is director of the Emory Baseball Medicine Program, which is designed to treat baseball and throwing-related injuries, prevent further injury and enhance athlete performance.
As a former Division 1 college athlete himself, he brings a unique understanding of sports-related injuries to his patients. His perspective, experience and expertise allow him to serve as team physician for the Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Tech baseball team.
He is also the head team physician for the College Park Skyhawks, the G League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, and Woodward Academy.
As an assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Emory, Dr. Bowers is actively engaged in teaching medical students, residents and fellows, in addition to providing direct patient care.
His specific clinical interests include
- Baseball Medicine and Throwing Athletes
- Sports-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
- Minimally Invasive Ultrasound-Guided Procedures
- Orthobiologics — treatments that involve using a patient’s own cells and growth factors to stimulate natural healing of an injury.
Among his varied research interests are baseball medicine, including peripheral nerve injuries and thoracic outlet syndrome in throwing athletes, and evidence-based use of orthobiologics.
When he’s not working, Dr. Bowers enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and watching sports. He also shares his children’s passion for all things Disney. Also an avid exerciser, Dr. Bowers participates in weight training, rowing and cycling.