Portrait of Michelle L. Cowan, MD

Michelle L. Cowan, MD

Associate Professor of Surgery
Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Associate Director, Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program

Specialties

  • Anal cancer 
  • Carcinomatosis 
  • Colon cancer 
  • Colon polyps 
  • Rectal cancer 
  • Constipation 
  • Crohn’s disease 
  • Diverticulitis 
  • Fecal incontinence 
  • Fissures 
  • Hemorrhoids 
  • Peritoneal surface disease 
  • Pelvic floor disorders 
  • Pilonidal cysts 
  • Rectal prolapse 
  • Ulcerative colitis 

Meet Dr. Cowan 

Dr. Michelle Cowan is a colon and rectal surgeon specializing in carcinomatosis, rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and other colorectal issues. 

She has expertise in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, and other colorectal issues. 

Dr. Cowan earned her medical degree from Medical College of Virginia. She completed general surgery residency training at University of Chicago Medicine and a colon and rectal fellowship at WashU Medicine. 

Dr. Cowan serves as associate program director for the colon and rectal surgery fellowship at WashU Medicine.

“I am excited about the colorectal surgery expansion to Missouri Baptist hospital. I look forward to bringing extensive experience and a deep passion for colorectal cancer care and robotic surgery, while providing compassionate, state-of-the-art treatment to new patients.” 

Dr. Cowan

Degrees

Medical Degree 
Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA 
2007 

Residency

General Surgery Residency 
University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Il 
2014 

Fellowship

Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship 
WashU Medicine, St. Louis, MO 
2015 


Research interests

Anal cancer, carcinomatosis, colon cancer, colon polyps, rectal cancer, constipation, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, fecal incontinence, fissures, hemorrhoids, peritoneal surface disease, pelvic floor disorders, pilonidal cysts, rectal prolapse, ulcerative colitis 


Locations

Barnes Jewish West County Hospital
Medical Building 4 
1044 North Mason Road 
Suite 310 
St. Louis, MO  63141 
Phone: 314-454-7177 
Fax: 888-425-7946

555 North New Ballas Road
Suite: 265
St. Louis, MO 63141
Phone: 314-454-7177

Hospital affiliations

Siteman Cancer Center 

Barnes-Jewish Hospital 

Missouri Baptist Medical Center 


Dr. Cowan in the news

More information

Professional Memberships: 

  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons 
  • Fellow, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons 
  • Member, Association of Women Surgeons 
  • Program Reviewer, Fellowship Council Accreditation Committee 
  • Committee Member, Fundamentals of Rectal Cancer Committee, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons 
  • Reviewer, Diseases of the Colon and Rectum 
  • Reviewer, British Journal of Surgery 
  • Reviewer, Colorectal Disease 

Awards and Honors: 

  • 2017 – University of Colorado Research Symposium – Winner for best research project 
  • 2013, 2014 – General surgery academic achievement award – University of Chicago Hospitals 
  • 2007 – Harry Hundall Ware, Jr., M.D. and Mary Warren Williams Ware Scholarship 
  • 2005 – Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) – Junior inductee, Medical College of Virginia 
  • 2005 – Award for highest performance in immunology, Medical College of Virginia 
  • 2004 – Linda and Richard Costanzo Medical Student Book Award