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National Security Health Policy Center (NSHPC) - Organizational Structure

Michael L. Cowan, MD, Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Dr. Michael Cowan joined BearingPoint, Inc. in October 2005, as its Chief Medical Officer. In this capacity he leads the development of new service offerings and advises in the strategic recruitment and development of key practitioners. Based in Tyson’s Corner, he is responsible for heading BearingPoint’s thought leadership in healthcare and social services, as well as working with BearingPoint executives to strengthen public health consulting capabilities.

Dr. Cowan was the Senior Vice President for Healthcare Solutions at Oracle Corporation prior to joining BearingPoint. There he led Oracle’s strategic health information technology solutions, and provided vital leadership to multiple national initiatives working to create a National Health Information Network.

Before joining Oracle, Dr. Cowan had an illustrious career with the U.S. Navy, culminating in his selection as the 34th Naval Surgeon General. As such, he directed 40,000 personnel working in 120 medical, dental, research and teaching facilities worldwide, as well as in operational medical forces deployed around the world

Throughout his naval career, Dr. Cowan held many prominent leadership and management positions affecting nearly every aspect of peacetime and wartime healthcare. His extensive experience in both payer and provider systems led to his assignment as the Deputy Executive Director of TRICARE, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the military’s managed care system providing health coverage for nearly 9 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide.

He was a leading force for numerous DoD initiatives to include the creation of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS,) and the institutionalization of Defense Policies for “Force Health Protection.” His extensive international experience featured duty as the U.S. Representative to the NATO Health Council, and “on the ground” Task Force Surgeon for Operation Restore Hope in Somalia in 1992-93.

He also led numerous technological innovations, to include TRICAREONLINE; the Worldwide Pharmacy Transaction Data Base; the consolidation of Defense Enrollment and Eligibility Systems (DEERS) into a single source; and NavyMedicineOnline.

Executive oversight experience includes Board membership for: the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society; the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP); Mercy Ships (an International Charitable Healthcare Organization); the U.S. Disaster Recovery Foundation, and TriWest Healthcare Services.

Dr. Cowan earned his Medical Degree from Washington University, St. Louis, and completed postgraduate residency training in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. He attended the National War College as a Senior Research Fellow, and is a Certified Executive of the American College of Physician Executives. He is a noted thought leader and speaker. Among his many presentations have been Commencement speeches at Tulane University and Uniformed Services University Medical School graduation ceremonies. In addition to multiple military awards, the American Medical Association recognized him as the Outstanding Federal Health Executive of the Year in 1999.