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Bowman breathes life into pulmonary program by Cindy Abole Public Relations Pediatric pulmonologist Michael Bowman's office is filled with images of people. Lining his Rutledge Tower annex office are reminders of people and deeds that have influenced and inspired him in his 25 years as a physician. There are famous doctor images like a small reprint of Norman Rockwell's “The Country Doctor” or the more humorous and popular “Doctor and Doll” framed print also by Rockwell which hangs nearby. On his desk sit small carved objects - a reminder for his love of woodworking. And nearby hang picture collages —all happy images of youth and smiling faces.  One frame displays a collage of friendly faces- all staff and patients at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), where Bowman spent his recent clinical years before relocating to Charleston. Another highlights the life of cystic fibrosis (CF) patient Nicole Adams of Los Angeles, whom Bowman diagnosed as a little girl. Today, she's a happy and healthy 16-year-old leading an active life.  These images serve as a reminder for one man's lifelong commitment to improve children's health and help support families as it applies to treating disease. As former director of the CHLA Comprehensive Cystic Fibrosis Program since 1992, he was recruited to establish a similar center and direct MUSC Children's Hospital's new Division of Pediatric Pulmonology. “I found the opportunity at MUSC too enticing to pass up,” said Bowman. “My goal is to establish a premiere academic children's lung and asthma center. The environment here in Charleston makes us very likely to succeed. The traditions, support, personnel and patients are all here, making this a unique opportunity to serve children and their families.” Bowman's specialty is as rare as they come. He is one of four board-certified pediatric pulmonologists in South Carolina and among 350 specialists nation-wide. He is board certified and re-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics specializing in pediatrics and pulmonology and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is listed with Best Doctors, one of the country's leading physician referral services.  While at CHLA, he was able to match good patient care with strong research and innovative therapies. As one of the largest CF programs in the southwestern United States, it is accredited by the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, California Children's Services and the Genetically Handicapped Persons Program.  Cystic fibrosis is a chronic, multi-system disease that causes the body's glands to function abnormally. Its results can affect and interfere with most of the body's vital functions, including breathing and digestion. An Illinois native, Bowman recognized his willingness to help people as early as high school. Following his undergraduate work at the University of Illinois, he enrolled at Wisconsin's School of Medicine until he learned about new funding for the university's new medical scientist program. He would spend the next seven years pursuing dual degrees in its M.D./Ph.D. program In 1975, he began his residency in pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Vanderbilt University. His interests in CF and treating children's lung disease led him to complete a pulmonary fellowship at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver.  Part of Bowman's work allows him to coordinate with MUSC's Adult CF Center coordinator Patrick Flume, M.D., associate professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine and a multi disciplinary team of other talents. This close collaboration between adult and pediatric services allows the patient to benefit from a sophisticated and compassionate level of comprehensive care. “Our combined programs offer the best example of collaborativepediatric and adult medicine for cystic fibrosis patients,” said Flume.“It's a plan that takes patients from a pediatric setting to an adult care setting in a totally seamless effort. What we have can be a model for others to learn from.”  Much of Bowman's  research has been linked to the understanding and treatment of CF and other pulmonary disorders. He's anxious to continue and expand new research through the development of MUSC's new Children's Research Institute scheduled to open in 2004.  Twice a week, Bowman runs a pediatric pulmonology and CF clinic at Rutledge Tower and is available to handle pediatric pulmonary cases within the hospital and nursery. Other interests include the study of asthma and other pulmonary problems including sleep disorders/sleep apnea, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), chronic cough and other chronic respiratory problems. “We want to recognize CF as merely another part of childhood by helping patients and their families recognize it as something they need to overcome,” said Bowman. “What we want patients and families to know is that CF is not the be all or end of their lives.”  A new interest involves the study of hidden symptoms of lung disease with sickle cell patients. South Carolina boasts one of the country's high ratios of sickle cell prevalence among African Americans. Working with Miguel Abboud, M.D. and Sherron Jackson, M.D., of MUSC's Pediatric Sickle Cell Center, Bowman hopes to lend his expertise in understanding why symptoms like low oxygen and other asthmatic symptoms are common to patients with sickle cell disease. “Dr. Mike Bowman is highly qualified to serve MUSC's pediatric population with pulmonary diseases such as cystic fibrosis, asthma and bronchitis,” said Charles Darby, M.D., director of MUSC's Children's Hospital. “The children and families we serve are now fortunate that services are available locally and they no longer have to travel long distances for special pulmonary care.”