Dr. Bates is an experienced and highly regarded physical therapist with over two decades of clinical and academic expertise. He specializes in interprofessional education, online pedagogy, health promotion and wellness, clinical management and leadership, orthopedic rehabilitation (with a focus on TMJ/TMD, headaches, and the neck), chronic disease management, and gerontological rehabilitation.

With an extensive background in both clinical and academic settings, he has over two decades of experience as a physical therapist. His clinical career spans hospital ambulatory care, general orthopedics, private practice, acute care, skilled rehabilitation facilities, home health, and clinic management. He is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (GCS) and a Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults (CEEAA). He is also a Certified Fall Prevention Specialist (CFPS) and Certified in Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA).

Dr. Bates has more than a decade of experience in physical therapy education, including roles as Program Director and Director of Clinical Education, and teaching experiences in both the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. Additionally, he has taught in other health career programs, including occupational therapy, exercise science, and social work. He is an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor (CCI), Level 2. He has contributed to the advancement of physical therapy education through his publications and presentations at international, national, and state conferences. His areas of focus include TMJ/TMD patient care, interprofessional education, online pedagogy, and community wellness programming for older adults. In recognition of his contributions to education, Dr. Bates was awarded the FA Davis Outstanding Physical Therapist Assistant Educator Award by the APTA in 2019.

He earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Chatham University, an MBA from Cleveland State University, and both an entry-level Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Marquette University. He is a graduate of the APTA's Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership and has completed the AAMC’s Medical Education Research Certificate program.

Dr. Bates is actively involved in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), having served as Secretary and Delegate for the Indiana Chapter. He currently serves as Chair of the Continuing Education Review Committee. He is actively involved in the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), having served as Vice Chair of the Commission and Chair of the PT Initial/Candidacy Panel. He currently serves as an accreditation reviewer. He has also been actively involved with the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), where he served as an Item Writer, Item Writer Coordinator, and as a member of the Exam Development Committee.

Physical Therapist, Indiana, United States, 5011067A, Active, 2013, June 2026

Physical Therapist, Ohio, United States, 10167, Expired, 2002, January 2022

Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults, , 2017, Yes

Functional Movement Systems, Inc. , Selective Functional Movement Assessment, Level 1, , 2024, Yes

American Physical Therapy Association, Credentialed Clinical Instructor, Level 2, , 2016, Yes

American Physical Therapy Association, Credentialed Clinical Instructor, Level 1, , 2010, Yes

American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist, Geriatric Physical Therapy, , 2018, 2028

Association of American Medical Colleges, Medical Education Research, , 2019, Yes

2024 - 2025

Adjunct Faculty, DPT Program, Graceland University, Independence, Missouri

2024 - Ongoing

Director of Clinical Education, DPT Program, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, California

2020 - 2021

Adjunct Faculty, DPT Program, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana

2013 - 2025

Program Director, PTA Program, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana

2013 - 2018

Physical Therapist, Community Health Network, Indianapolis, Indiana

2013 - Ongoing

Physical Therapist, IU Health, Indianapolis, Indiana

2011 - 2013

Physical Therapist, Tidewater Physical Therapy (Pivot Physical Therapy), Virginia Beach, Virginia

2011 - 2012

Program Director and Clinical Coordinator, PTA Program, Kaplan College, Chesapeake, Virginia

2010 - 2011

Clinical Coordinator, PTA Program, Remington College, North Olmstead, Ohio

2009 - 2010

Physical Therapist, University Hospitals, Mayfield Village, Ohio

2008 - 2011

Physical Therapist, HCR ManorCare, Cleveland, Ohio

2008 - 2010

Adjunct Faculty, PTA Program, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio

2007 - 2009

Adjunct Faculty, PTA Program, Kent State University, Ashtabula, Ohio

2002 - 2011

Physical Therapist, NeXstep Healthcare, Wickliffe, Ohio

2002 - 2009

Center Manager, Physical Therapist, NovaCare Rehabilitation (Select Medical Corporation), Beachwood, Ohio

Fall 2024 - Ongoing

Values Leadership Award, 2024, IU Health, System Health Solutions

Fall 2018 - Ongoing

FA Davis Award for Outstanding PTA Educator, 2019, American Physical Therapy Association

Spring 2015 - Ongoing

Academy of Advanced Item Writers, 2016, Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy

Spring 2000 - Ongoing

American Physical Therapy Association, April 2000, Ongoing

Spring 2013 - Ongoing

APTA Indiana, April 2013, Ongoing