Kathleen Cowling

Dr. Kathleen Cowling serves as Professor and Discipline Chair of Surgical Disciplines at Central Michigan University College of Medicine, with clinical practice at Covenant HealthCare's Level II trauma center handling 80,000+ annual patient visits. She previously directed the Emergency Medicine program for nine years (2015-2024) and served as Covenant's Chief of Staff through the pandemic until December 2022.

Her academic credentials include:

• D.O. from Michigan State University
• M.S. and B.S. from Michigan State University
• M.B.A. from University of Massachusetts Amherst
• A.S. from Northwestern Michigan College
• Residency at Michigan State University

Dr. Cowling's research centers on practical emergency interventions, with recent work advancing mass casualty response through community-based tourniquet training and bleeding control protocols. Her scholarship bridges clinical emergency care, trauma systems, and disaster preparedness with strong emphasis on real-world implementation.

Her publication record shows consistent contributions from 2005-2023, with recent emphasis on community engagement for mass casualty events and innovative trauma techniques. This trajectory reflects deepening focus on scalable emergency response solutions beyond traditional clinical settings.

Major recognitions include:

• Krome Award and Most Outstanding Speaker Award
• John Rupke Lifetime Legacy and Legacy Award
• Outstanding Clinical/Faculty Teaching Awards
• Commendation for Pandemic Chief of Staff service
• Judith Weiswasser Award for Most Outstanding Woman Graduate

Dr. Cowling has mentored hundreds of trainees across her 30-year career, with educational leadership recognized through multiple teaching awards. Her advocacy extends to MDHHS Certificate of Need oversight and statewide healthcare access initiatives. Current work focuses on community disaster resilience through faith-based partnerships and trauma system optimization.

While not leading a formal laboratory, her clinical and educational teams drive innovation in emergency response systems, with recent projects training religious organizations in 'Stop the Bleed' protocols and optimizing trauma resource allocation.