Jason Barbas, PT, DPT, NCS

About Me

As Director, Allied Health Innovation and Practice, Jason Barbas ensures that all Shirley Ryan AbilityLab patients are benefiting from the latest advancements in care, science and technology. 

He serves as a conduit between the organization’s scientists and clinicians to facilitate the exploration of clinical problems that inform the development of research questions and — most importantly — solutions. He also ensures timely integration of the latest research and novel technologies into clinical practice. In the process, he facilitates collaborative projects among clinicians and scientists so that new insights and information can be disseminated and implemented into care quickly. In this capacity, Jason serves Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s entire system of care, including inpatient, outpatient, DayRehab and the organization’s alliances. 

Additionally, Jason serves as Therapy Director, Ability Labs and Internal Staff Development. In this capacity, he directs all specialized treatment in the hospital’s five ability labs — applied-research and therapeutic spaces. He also oversees Internal Staff Development for more than 400 Allied Health professionals throughout Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s system of care. In collaboration with a team of Clinical Practice Leaders, he transfers the latest research and best practices through educational programming and professional mentoring. 

A Physical Therapist with more than 20 years’ experience, his clinical area of focus is on treating patients with neurologic conditions. He has published a number of peer-reviewed publications and has presented nationally about neurologic rehabilitation, outcome measures, the integration of novel technologies into practice, and the professional development of clinical staff.

Jason is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA’s) Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, as well as APTA’s Academy of Leadership and Innovation. In addition to his work at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He oversees the administration of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s residency programs and other collaborative initiatives in collaboration with the department.

Jason is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, his Master of Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia, and his Bachelor of Education in Exercise Science from the University of Georgia.