James D. Bowen, MD
Medical Director
Neurologist James D. Bowen, MD joined the MS Center in June 2006 after serving as director of neurology services for the Western Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Center at the University of Washington Medical Center.
Dr. Bowen received his bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Eastern New Mexico University and his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed residencies in internal medicine and neurology at the University of Washington. He is board certified in neurology, and has taught in the departments of both Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine at the UW.
His research interests include clinical trials of treatments for MS, aging issues in MS, and the immunology, virology and genetics of the disease.
Dr. Bowen is involved in several organizations, including the American Academy of Neurology. He has served on the Clinical Advisory Committee of the Greater Washington Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for many years, and has chaired the committee since 1999. He was inducted into the National MS Society 2005 Volunteer Hall of Fame in the Health Professional and Researchers category for his contributions as a volunteer.
Dr. Bowen is involved as a peer and ad hoc reviewer for numerous publications. He himself has authored more than 200 articles, abstracts and publications relating to MS and other neurological diseases.
Ted R. Brown, MD, MPH
Head of Rehabilitation Medicine
Dr. Theodore (Ted) Brown is a board-certified member of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Brown works to maximize function and quality of life for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis, focusing on the application of rehabilitation modalities as well as researching the relationship between Multiple Sclerosis and the elements of daily life.
Dr. Brown developed his broad spectrum of knowledge by completing his bachelor’s degree in economics at University of California, Berkeley and his medical degree at Harvard, followed by internship and residency at University of Washington, a Master of Public Health at UC Berkeley and most recently, a fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis at the UW. Dr. Brown also completed a Heiser Fellowship for research in Leprosy and Tuberculosis at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, a Paul Dudley White Fellowship at Kyoto University in Japan and a David Boren Graduate fellowship in Thailand and California.
Dr. Brown has numerous publications on topics including the role of exercise in MS and has several research projects involving rehabilitation in MS. He enjoys speaking to MS patients and therapists regarding exercise principles in MS. Having spent time overseas, Dr. Brown gained fluency in Thai and Japanese. His hobbies are gardening, hiking and commuting across Lake Washington for work.
Michelle Toshima, PhD
Michelle Toshima is the Clinical Rehabilitation Psychologist for the MS Center at Evergreen. She joined the MS Center in January 2008 after working in the University of Washington Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Medicine Department as a Clinical Associate Professor. Her responsibilities included working extensively with the Western Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Center at the University of Washington.
Dr. Toshima completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Sciences at California Polytechnic University, Pomona and her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Behavioral Medicine from the joint doctoral program at University of California San Diego/San Diego State University. She also completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Chronic Pain at the University of Washington.
Dr. Toshima’s diverse clinical and research interests have included work with pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation patients including the National Emphysema Treatment Trial, and being part of model systems of care for traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.
As a Clinical Rehabilitation Psychologist, Michelle’s role is focused on helping patients maximize their potential while acknowledging change and loss. She understands that coping with medical conditions and physical or cognitive disability can be a major challenge to patients, their families, and the community. She assists patients and families in learning to cope and adjust to difficult medical conditions in their own unique way, capitalizing on their strengths. Michelle is dedicated to promoting education and advocacy, training and research, and enhancing the quality of life of patients living with MS.
Bobbie J. Severson, ARNP
Bobbie J. Severson is the MS Center's advanced registered nurse practitioner. She joined the MS Center in July 2006 from the Western Multiple Sclerosis Center & Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic at University of Washington Medical Center, where she worked with Dr. Bowen.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Seattle University and Master of Science and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner degrees from Seattle Pacific University. She is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a nurse practitioner and the Multiple Sclerosis International Certification Board as a multiple sclerosis nurse specialist. Bobbie’s career has spanned a variety of disciplines including public health, hospital-based nursing, teaching and serving as a flight nurse in the United States Air Force. Since 1999, Bobbie’s professional focus has been directed towards advancing the health care and quality of life for all individuals living with multiple sclerosis.
Bobbie is a member of the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and additional organizations that promote education, research, and health for multiple sclerosis. She is also a multiple sclerosis consultant, lecturer and contributor to MS publications.