TYLER BOWERSOCK, 38 / Owner/Physical Therapist, University PT
Tyler Bowersock has been a leading orthopedic, sports medicine physical therapist in the region for the last decade. He was the first person in his family to graduate college and, after moving to Roanoke in 2006, he launched University PT in 2010, eventually building his business to three locations with a staff of 25 employees. He further expanded into the health and fitness world by opening RunAbout Sports with his wife. “Nearly every day we are working to rehab patients who have suffered through various injuries or coaching people on how to improve their fitness, which can have transformational effects on people's lives,” Bowersock says. “I have witnessed people needing assistance to walk through our doors who literally work back to running. I've seen others who were previously sedentary make such lifestyle changes they work up to doing marathons. … to sit back and think we could have had an impact on that is pretty cool.”
- Top Physical Therapist: 2011, 2013 (Gold); 2015 (Platinum), The Roanoker Magazine Top Docs Poll
- Honorable mention, Best Bedside Manner, OurHealth Magazine, 2018
From the Nomination: “As a physical therapist, Tyler Bowersock has been blessed to develop numerous relationships allowing him to support the local communities for the past 13 years. He has been able to work with numerous local schools and coaches, discussing anything from physical therapy as a career to injury prevention. The most remarkable thing about Bowersock is seeing what he's been able to achieve at such a young age considering his background. He grew up in a family without means and was the first person from his family to get a college degree. When he first started working as a physical therapist, he basically had no money or equity. To see him work hard and make the necessary sacrifices to build his business is nothing short of remarkable.”
What do you love about Roanoke?
Bowersock: “The first thing that comes to my mind is the outdoors. I walk out of my house every morning and look up to see the Blue Ridge Mountains. It never gets old. Whether I'm riding my bike up the parkway, roaming through Carvins Cove or running the trails to the star, I always take a moment to soak it all up. The Roanoke region continues to transform into an outdoor playground and we hope to take full advantage of it.”