Contact: Barbara Granner
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NCCHC Welcomes Correctional Health Expert to its Board
(Chicago) – Jay Cowan, MD, Wellpath’s statewide medical director for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, has joined the National Commission on Correctional Health Care board of representatives as the National Medical Association liaison.
Dr. Cowan joined Wellpath, a premier provider of localized, high-quality, compassionate care to vulnerable patients in challenging clinical environments including prisons, jails, state hospitals, forensic treatment, and civil commitment centers, in 2016 after serving for several years as president of Correctional Medical Associates of New York. Prior to turning to correctional health care, he was a clinical instructor of medicine at Columbia University and in private practice in New York City.
“It is my honor and privilege to join the National Commission on Correctional Health Care’s board,“ said Dr. Cowan. “The work and culture of this esteemed group align perfectly with my mission to make sure incarcerated patients receive the quality care they deserve.”
After receiving his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine, Dr. Cowan completed residency training as well as fellowships in gastroenterology and hepatology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (formerly the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey). He is board certified in internal medicine.
“At Wellpath patient care comes first, and it is driven by clinical excellence displayed by leaders like Dr. Cowan,” said Dr. Thomas Pangburn, Wellpath’s chief clinical officer. “We are not only so proud of our colleague for this important appointment, but also inspired by his passion to constantly elevate the care of our patients.”
NCCHC is supported by the major national organizations representing the fields of health, mental health, law, and corrections. Each supporting organization has named a liaison to the NCCHC board to create a robust, multidisciplinary governing structure that reflects the complexities of providing health care in the nation’s jails, prisons, and youth confinement facilities.
Dr. Cowan’s appointment took effect October 23, 2022, during the NCCHC board meeting at the National Conference on Correctional Health Care in Las Vegas.
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About the National Commission on Correctional Health Care
The mission of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is to improve the quality of health care in jails, prisons, and juvenile confinement facilities. NCCHC establishes standards for health services in correctional facilities, operates a voluntary accreditation program for institutions that meet those standards, produces and disseminates resource publications, conducts educational conferences, and offers a certification program for correctional health professionals. NCCHC is supported by the major national organizations representing the fields of health, mental health, law, and corrections. Each of those organizations has named a liaison to the NCCHC board of representatives to create a robust, multidisciplinary governing structure that reflects the complexities of correctional health care. Learn more at ncchc.org.
NCCHC Supporting Organizations
Academy of Correctional Health Professionals, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of PAs, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Bar Association, American College of Correctional Physicians, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Healthcare Executives, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians, American College of Preventive Medicine, American Counseling Association, American Dental Association, American Health Information Management Association, American Jail Association, American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, American Osteopathic Association, American Pharmacists Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Public Health Association, American Society of Addiction Medicine, National Association of Counties, National Association of Social Workers, National Medical Association, National Sheriffs’ Association, Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
About Wellpath
Wellpathis the premier provider of localized, high-quality, compassionate care to vulnerable patients in challenging clinical environments. Wellpath holds patients at the center of everything we do and promotes rigorous standards of care and innovation. With over 14,200 clinicians and professionals in 36 states across the U.S. and Australia, Wellpath provides medical and mental healthcare services for over 300,000 patients daily in nearly 600 facilities, including prisons, jails, state hospitals, forensic treatment, and civil commitment centers. Learn more at wellpathcare.com.
