Richard L. Bowen, M.D.
Dr. Bowen received his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of South Carolina in 1980. He graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston in 1985. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at Spartanburg Regional Medical center in 1988. After completing his residency, he worked as an Emergency Department physician for several years and then went into private hospital based Family Medicine.
Observations made while caring for his patients fueled his interest in medical research. He has published over 25 papers in peer reviewed journals. For example, the Food and Drug Administration credited Dr. Bowen’s research as the primary basis for their decision to have the diet drug fen-phen taken off the market in 1997. After that his research interests focused on Alzheimer’s disease and aging. Findings in a particular patient led Dr. Bowen to co-author a new theory on aging, which was published in the scientific journal Gerontology. He was then the lead investigator in a phase II study testing a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease based on this theory. The promising results of this study were published in the January 2015 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Bowen presented these results at the 2014 Annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. While there he learned of the remarkable advances being made using ketamine in the treatment of refractory depression and decided to incorporate it into his practice. It soon became his primary focus and now after more than seven years Dr. Bowen has performed over 10,000 ketamine infusions. He emphatically states, “providing ketamine treatment for depression is by far the most rewarding thing I have done during my thirty-year career.”
Dr. Bowen is divorced and has five children from his first marriage 2 boys, 3 girls, aged 21 to 33. He enjoys boating, and fishing as well as cycling and dancing, occasionally at the same time.
Henry Spradlin
A graduate of Bowman Gray School of Medicine’s PA program (Wake Forest) class of 1996, Mr. Spradlin has a background in emergency medicine, psychiatry and the treatment of substance abuse. He has known Dr. Bowen for several years and worked with him in the Urgent Care setting.
The success of Ketamine in the treatment of depression, anxiety and pain is what drew him to work with Dr. Bowen. “I have seen Ketamine significantly change patient’s lives for the better. Traditional medicines do not always do the trick and the addition of Ketamine can change that outcome.”
In his spare time, Henry enjoys hunting, fishing, boating and spending time with his family.
Laird Bowen
Office Manager
“Doctor Bowen’s second son has been working at Charleston Ketamine Center for nearly four years. From running the financial end of the practice to office technical support, his role as office manager is all encompassing. If anything needs to be done Laird can figure out a way to make it happen! Laird also is a talented comedian and enjoys using his talent while performing market research. In his spare time, Laird enjoys cooking and gardening with his dog, Mowgli, and amateur competitive gaming under the Twitch handle, “Moist Lard”.
“Give me ambiguity or give me something else.” – Author Unknown
Ashley Holmes
Medical Assistant
Ashley graduated from Miller Motte Technical College in 2007 with an Associates Degree in Science focusing on Medical Assisting. After graduating, she worked at 2 local hospitals for the span of 9 years until joining Dr. Bowen in 2016. From the moment Dr. Bowen met Ashley he was struck by her loving spirit. Ashley has been a part of the team’s growth and impact on healing the community for 4 years now. Ashley states, “It has been a pleasure to work here and be allowed to see the many ways that Ketamine can help people live healthier lives! My small contribution of getting them prepared for that journey is one that I will always value.”
“Everyone has a happy ending. If you’re not happy, it’s not the end.” – D.C.
Lisa Dwyer
Front Office
Lisa comes to us from Long Island, NY. She spent 25 years in marketing and new business development, and then decided she needed a change, so she went back to school to pursue a degree in nutrition. She spent 5 years working in hospitals before she and her husband made the long-anticipated move to the Charleston area. She loves to meet new and interesting people and is enjoying her new southern home. “It’s pretty incredible to actually witness patients improving and feeling better. It’s really rewarding to be here and help in my own small way”.
“How people treat you is their karma, how you react is yours” – Wayne Dyer
Becki Bevier
Physician Assistant
Becki graduated from LeMoyne College in 2013, with a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Prior to joining Charleston Ketamine Center, she worked in an Internal Medicine/Pediatric practice and practiced Urgent Care Medicine. She prides herself on being a good listener and making patients feel comfortable while providing quality patient care.
She lives here with her husband, children, and golden retriever. She enjoys spending time with family, outdoor activities, and the beach.
“I‘ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
