Medical Director, Brooks Center for Innovation
Board Certifications:
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)
- Subspecialty Board Certification in Brain Injury Medicine
Professional Designations: FAAPMR (Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), FACHE (Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives)
Professional Role and Responsibilities
Dr. Kenneth T. Ngo is a board-certified PM&R physician specializing in brain injury rehabilitation and related neurological disorders. He serves as the Medical Director of the Brain Injury Program at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital – University Campus, one of the largest brain injury rehabilitation programs nationally, treating over 700 patients annually (excluding stroke patients). Additionally, Dr. Ngo directs the Brooks Center for Innovation, positioning him at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology and innovative treatment methods within the rehabilitation services at Brooks.
He also oversees the Disorder of Consciousness Program, providing oversight and clinical leadership for complex neurological patients with catastrophic brain injuries in both inpatient and outpatient settings, managing care throughout the continuum of brain injury rehabilitation.
Academic Affiliations and Teaching
Dr. Ngo holds academic appointments as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of PM&R at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, and serves as a clinical instructor for the Mayo/Brooks PM&R Residency brain injury rotation. He is further a Courtesy Assistant Professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville. These roles underscore his commitment to education and clinical mentorship, facilitating the training of future specialists in brain injury medicine.
Education and Background
- Medical Degree: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
- Residency: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Undergraduate: Biomechanical Engineering (foundation in problem-solving and teamwork)
Research and Publications
Dr. Ngo has a significant research footprint with at least 18 publications related to brain injury rehabilitation and neurological recovery, cited over 390 times. He has been involved as a co-investigator and co-author on large multi-center randomized clinical trials, including studies on the efficacy of telerehabilitation versus in-clinic therapy for stroke survivors. His research interests focus heavily on advancing brain injury care, neuroplasticity, and rehabilitation technology.
He has contributed to national-level visibility of Brooks Rehabilitation’s expertise through participation in StrokeNet, and his work spans across federal research projects supported by NIH and Department of Defense grants targeting improvement in functional recovery after traumatic brain injury and disorders of consciousness.
Clinical Innovations and Program Leadership
Dr. Ngo actively champions the integration of novel therapies and advanced technologies, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) trials for post-stroke hemiparesis, highlighting Brooks Rehabilitation's commitment to technologically assisted rehabilitation. He collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to facilitate home-based and remote therapy models, which have undergone rigorous clinical evaluation under his oversight.
Professional Recognition and Impact
- Has served as Medical Director of the Brooks Brain Injury Program continuously from 2010 through 2025.
- Recognized for shaping Brooks Rehabilitation’s brain injury clinical programs and Center for Innovation efforts.
- Provides thought leadership in clarifying misconceptions about brain injury, delivering community education through multimedia platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Organizational Context: Brooks Rehabilitation
Brooks Rehabilitation is a top-ranked rehabilitation hospital in Florida, with a staff size between 1,000 and 5,000 employees. The organization offers a comprehensive care system specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation for diverse conditions including stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cancer rehabilitation, and orthopedic rehabilitation.
Professional Presence and Contact
- LinkedIn: [Kenneth Ngo, MD, FAAPMR, FACHE](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-ngo-md-faapmr-fache-15859670)
- ResearchGate: Medical Director | Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital, Jacksonville
- Facebook: Public medical educational posts related to brain injury rehabilitation
- YouTube: Educational videos addressing brain injury misconceptions and rehabilitation
Dr. Kenneth Ngo represents a highly qualified, research-active clinical leader with direct influence over Brooks Rehabilitation’s brain injury programs and innovation initiatives. His engineering background coupled with extensive clinical expertise and leadership roles provide a strong foundation for driving forward advanced rehabilitation solutions within Brooks.
