Dean and Professor

Mark S. Sothmann joined the College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina in 2007 as Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences and Dean. His previous administrative appointments included being Associate Dean of the Indiana University School of Medicine from 1997 through 2004, and Dean of the Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences from 1997 through 2007 during which time he guided Health & Rehabilitation Sciences to free-standing status on the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. He is also a founding faculty of the Indiana University School of Informatics. 

Sothmann received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Northern Iowa in 1971 and his doctorate in exercise science from Purdue University in 1982. He spent 13 years on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and held clinical faculty appointments in the Department of Medicine of the University of Wisconsin Medical School-Milwaukee Clinical Campus and the Department of Preventive Medicine of the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Sothmann’s research has focused on the impact of exercise as a treatment intervention for neurochemical aspects of chronic diseases such as hypertension, and human performance in extreme environments. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Defense, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and by various foundation, state and local agencies. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, and a Member of the American Physiological Society. He has held numerous professional service appointments in the societies

He has served on the editorial boards of several journals in his field including being Associate Editor of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, been science advisor to the NASA Exercise Countermeasure Program-Johnson Space Center, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Veteran Affairs, and the National Institutes of Health.  He has chaired numerous research and professional service commissions at the national level and been on key advisory boards for state boards of health and hospitals.

Sothmann is a recipient of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Foundation Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Endeavors and the Glenn W Irwin, Jr., M.D. Experience Excellence Recognition Award for Service to Indiana University. He has be named to several Who’s Who lists nationally and internationally.



Office of the Dean: (843) 792-3328
Email: sothmann@musc.edu