Susan McDowell

Susan McDowell, MD, is an Associate Professor and holds the Janet Galloway Carter Endowed Chair in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. She is also Chief Medical Officer of Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital and Medical Director of Outpatient Therapy Services at UK HealthCare. Her roles include leadership in clinical care, education, and research.

Clinical Expertise: She directs the PM&R outpatient clinic, specializing in kinetic movement disorders (adults/children) using oral medications, neurolytic injections, and intrathecal drug delivery systems. She oversees spinal cord injury clinics and seating/mobility services at Cardinal Hill. She consults at Shriner's Hospital for Children's multidisciplinary movement disorders team.

Research Contributions: Her work focuses on antispasticity drug efficacy (Tizanidine) in spinal cord injury patients and functional neuromuscular stimulation. She has published on restraint use in rehabilitation and PM&R student education through university clinics.

Education Leadership: As Designated Institutional Official for UK College of Medicine's ACGME accreditation, she oversees residency programs. She teaches pediatric rehabilitation and was honored as Teacher of the Year (2004). Her research has earned awards for outstanding resident projects and clinical work.

Awards: Departmental recognition for Outstanding Resident (Year), two consecutive Research Project Awards, and Teacher of the Year distinction. Her publications span rehabilitation medicine, neurology, and biomedical engineering applications in clinical practice.