W. Paul Bowman, M.D., continues legacy as pediatric hematologist/oncologist
As a fourth year medical student, W. Paul Bowman, M.D., saw a little girl with leukemia. He was inspired by how his mentoring physician treated the little girl. That experience began an interest in treating children with cancer that continues to this day.
In addition to his current role as senior pediatric hematologist/oncologist and chairman of Cook Children’s Leukemia & Lymphoma program, Dr. Bowman has been named medical director of academic pediatrics for Cook Children’s Medical Center.
Dr. Bowman now hopes to be the inspiration for young physicians as he becomes their mentor. He has been named department chair of pediatrics for the University of North Texas Health Science Center and the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM).
“A leadership program needs to have a strong educational component to it,” Dr. Bowman said. “That involves educating yourself, your staff, your referring physicians – those with whom you work with in the community. I also really think it is important to have a commitment to the education of young physicians. We have students from TCOM rotate with us. That’s really an exciting thing to have young, up-and-coming doctors working with us. It is exciting for me to extend that relationship as department chair of pediatrics for the University of North Texas Health Science Center and the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.”
The new appointments tie together the teaching and research capabilities of the Health Science Center with the renowned patient care of Cook Children’s Medical Center and its clinic network to bring cutting-edge research and care to Tarrant County’s pediatric patients.
Under Dr. Bowman’s guidance, TCOM student physicians can take advantage of the knowledge of Cook Children’s physicians when they serve as faculty instructors and oversee the student interns.
Bowman, a native of Winnipeg, Canada, graduated from the University of Manitoba as class valedictorian before becoming a fellow in pediatric hematology-oncology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. In 1982, he came to what is now known as Cook Children’s as co-director of the Hematology and Oncology department and has made Fort Worth his home.
He has served on numerous boards and committees in Tarrant County including the American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Legislative Task Force on Cancer in Texas.
Dr. Bowman won the Distinguished Physician Award in 2003. The award is symbolized by the Cook Children's Physician Network Gold Headed Cane and given to the outstanding Cook Children's Physician Network physician who exemplifies excellent clinical skills, compassion for patients and families, and a deep commitment to working together for children.
The Cook Children's Physician Network Distinguished Award is given annually and alternates between a primary care physician and a specialty care physician. Dr. Bowman was the first specialty physician to receive the award, voted on by his peers.
