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Michael L. Cowan, MD, Vice Admiral, US Navy (Retired)

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.