Information Line: (706) 454-0111

1000 Cowles Clinic Way
Greensboro, GA 30642

Cowles Clinic

Robert S. Cowles III, M.D

Dr. Robert S. Cowles III, founder of Cowles Clinic, is licensed in Georgia, certified by the American Board of Urology, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a third generation physician and native of Greeneville, Tennessee, graduating from Greeneville High School.

Dr. Cowles has over 25 years of experience as a specialist in urological disorders and disease. His skill as a clinician and surgical innovator attracts patients from the Atlanta region and across the country for treatment to Cowles Clinic Center for Urology. A wide diversity of urological disease, conditions and cancer are treated. Dr. Cowles stays abreast of the latest research, incorporating advanced therapies into appropriate treatment plans. He is the originator of laser procedures that have become the standard in urological surgery including Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate.

Dr. Cowles' medical practice originated in Atlanta where he became a nationally known healthcare expert, lecturer and author on urological medicine. In 2002, he relocated to the Lake Oconee area becoming one of the few specialists serving the local community. In 2004, Dr. Cowles founded the multispecialty campus, Cowles Clinic, for the delivery of expert healthcare and technology to the Lake Oconee region and beyond. He has assembled a growing team of leading physicians that work in concert to diagnose and treat disease.

The Georgia Center for Total Cancer Care at Cowles Clinic opened in December 2006 as a regional treatment center. Dr. Cowles years of expertise in urological cancer created the desire to bring state-of-the-art treatment to the campus. The 11,000 square foot, dedicated facility delivers medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, genetic counseling and a full range of patient wellness services. All types of cancer are treated. The opening of this center has ended the stress and expense of long commutes to distant treatment facilities that had formerly been endured by Lake Oconee cancer patients. Now, the most advanced level of care is delivered on a level normally only available at top metropolitan cancer centers.

Dr. Cowles' personal practice, Cowles Clinic Center for Urology, continues to grow in patient volume and services provided.

Cowles Clinic is accomplishing Dr. Cowles' vision of transforming rural healthcare by creating greater access to the highest quality of medical care. Common, chronic and acute health concerns are addressed in a time efficient manner at a reduced cost to the patient by having all services available close to home on one medical campus. With the establishment of the Executive Health Program in January 2007, Cowles Clinic has become a select healthcare destination and international resource. This premier program is providing comprehensive physical evaluations by the expert Cowles Clinic medical team for top level executives on a global scale.

Education

High School

  • Greeneville High School, Greeneville, Tennessee – 6/69

Undergraduate

  • Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee - 8/69 – 6/70
  • University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
    Bachelor of Science - 6/70 – 6/74

Graduate/Medical School

  • University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee
    Doctor of Medicine - 6/75 – 6/78

Internship

  • Surgical: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
    University of Texas at Houston - 7/78 – 6/79

Residency

  • Urology: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - 7/79 – 6/83

Board Certification

  • American Board of Urology - 1985, Recertified 1994, 2002
  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons - 1987

University Appointments:

Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery - 1983 – 1984

  • Quillen-Dishner College of Medicine
    Johnson City, Tennessee

Clinical Professor of Surgery - 1984 – 1985

  • University of Tennessee Medical School
    Knoxville, Tennessee

Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery - 1993 – 2004

  • Emory University
    Atlanta, Georgia

Professional Awards & Honors

  • First Prize Residents' Essay Contest - 1982
    South/Central Section, American Urological Association
  • Physician of the Year - 1990
    Athens Regional Medical Center
  • Prostate Educator of the Year, Southeastern Section - 1996
    American Foundation for Urologic Disease
  • Bodo von Guerlt's Lecturer - 1996
    Karolinska Institute
    Stockholm, Sweden

Visiting Professorships

Visiting Professor, Department of Urology - 1991, 1993, 1994

  • Royal St. Vincent's Hospital
    Melbourne, Australia

Visiting Professor, Department of Urology - 1996

  • Huddinge University Hospital
    Karolinska Institute
    Stockholm, Sweden

Visiting Lecturer and Physician - 1994

  • Hawley Street Clinic
    London, England

Hospital Appointments

  • Medical Center Hospital, Johnson City, Tennessee, Active Staff, 1983 - 1984
  • Northside Hospital, Johnson City, Tennessee, Active Staff, 1983 - 1984
  • Carter County Hospital, Elizabethton, Tennessee, Active Staff, 1983 - 1984
  • Laughlin Memorial Hospital, Greeneville, Tennessee, Consulting Staff, 1983 - 1984
  • University of Tennessee Memorial Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee, Active Staff, 1984 - 1985
  • St. Mary’s Hospital, Athens, Georgia, Active Staff, 1985 - 1993
  • Athens Regional Medical Center, Athens, Georgia, Active Staff, 1985 - 1993
  • West Paces Ferry Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, Active Staff, 1993 – 2000
  • Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta Georgia, Consulting, 1993 - 2002
  • Shepherd Spinal Center, Atlanta, Georgia, Consulting, 1993 - 2007
  • Fannin Regional Hospital, Blue Ridge, Georgia, Consulting, 1994 - 2000
  • Northside Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, 1994 - 2002
  • Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Atlanta Georgia, 1995- 2008
  • Putnam General Hospital, Eatonton, Georgia, Active Staff, 2001 – present
  • Newton General Hospital, Covington, Georgia, Consulting, 2001 – 2003
  • Saint Joseph’s at East Georgia, Greensboro, Georgia, Active Staff, 2008 - 2009

Practice (Professional) Experience

  • Member, East Tennessee Urologic Associates, 8/83 - 8/84
  • University of Tennessee Memorial Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee, 10/84 - 8/85
  • The Urology Clinic, 8/85 - 7/93
  • Georgia Stone Center, 8/90 - 7/93
  • Director, Cowles Clinic Center for Urology, 8/93 - present
  • Medical Director/ Board of Directors, Specialty Surgicenters Inc.- 1997- present
  • Board Member, Atlanta Outpatient Specialty Center - 2003
  • Jasper Multispecialty Clinic-Developer
  • Canton Multispecialty Clinic-Developer
  • Woodstock Specialty Clinic-Developer
  • Cowles Clinic – A Multi-specialty Clinic – Founder

Professional Offices Held

  • Executive Council, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, 1976-78
  • Vice President, University of Texas Health Science Center House Staff Association, 1979
  • President, University of Texas Health Science Center House Staff Association, 1980-1982
  • President, Tennessee Urologic Association, 1984-1985
  • Secretary, Athens Regional Medical Center Staff, 1987
  • President, Athens Regional Medical Center Staff, 1988-1990
  • Chief, Department of Urology, Athens Regional Medical Center and St. Mary’s Hospital, 1989
  • Georgia Medical Care Foundation - Instructor and Reviewer
  • Vice President, Crawford Long Medical Society, 1991
  • President, Crawford Long Medical Society, 1992
  • Georgia Organ Procurement Foundation, Board Member
  • Program Chairman, SPIE, Lasers in Urology, 1993 – 1995
  • Chairman, Department of Urology for West Paces Medical Center, 1995-1997
  • President, Elect Georgia Urological Association, 2000
  • President, Georgia Urological Association, 2001
  • Board of Directors, Southeastern Section American Urological Association, 2006 - 2009

Professional Societies

  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons
  • American Urological Association
  • Southeastern Section American Urological Association
  • Georgia Urologic Society
  • Atlanta Urological Association
  • American Fertility Society - Retired
  • Southwest Oncology Group - Retired
  • American Lithotripsy Society
  • Society for Urology and Engineering
  • The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
  • Council on Legislation, Medical Association of Georgia
  • International Prostate Society
  • Fellow – American Society of Lasers in Medicine and Surgery

Board of Directors

  • Atlanta Outpatient Urology Center, 1994 – 1995
  • Advanced Surgery Center of Georgia, 1995 – 2000
  • Woodstock Specialty Center, 1999 – 2000
  • Specialty Medical Services Inc.
  • Specialty Surgicenter Inc., 1997 – 2005 (Medical Director/Board Member)
  • Board of Trustees, Redeemer Episcopal Academy, 2007 – 2011
  • Cowles Clinic – Chairman, 2004 – present
  • Southeastern Section American Urological Association, 2006 – 2009
  • Board of Trustees, Tusculum College, 2008 – present
  • Board of Governors, University of Tennessee Alumni Association, 2008 – 2009
  • Georgia Trauma Foundation Board of Directors, 2012 – present
  • Georgia Trauma Foundation Vice President, January 2013 – present
  • 9-1-1 State of Georgia Governor’s Commission Member, January 2013 – present

Community Activities

  • Board Member, Georgia Museum of Art, 1989 - 1993
  • Athens Area Health Partners
  • President, Mount Vernon Polo Club
  • Board Member, Athens Regional Health Resources, Inc.
  • Honoree, Cystic Fibrosis “Single Night in Atlanta”
  • Board Member, Good Touch-Bad Touch
  • Member of Madison Presbyterian Church – Elder
  • Member Atlanta Polo Club
  • Advisory Board Member, Georgia Medical Institute
  • WAGA-Good Day Atlanta-Morning House Call M.D., 1993-1997
  • CNN Medical Expert Guest-1997, 1998
  • Gold Medal Award 2003
  • NRCC Physician of the Year 2003
  • Vice Chairman for Finance Bush / Cheney – Georgia 2004
  • National Republican Congressional Council

Publications

  1. Cowles, R., Johnson, D.C., McMurtrey, M.J.: Long-term Results Following Thoracotomy for Metastatic Bladder Cancer UROLOGY 20:390 (1982).
  2. Boileau, M.A., Cowles, R.S., Schmidt, K.L., Schmidt, W.A.: Comparison of Specific Red Cell Adherence Tests and Immunoperoxidase Identification of ABO (H) Antigens on Bladder Tumors, Journal of Surgical Oncology, 1983.
  3. Cowles, R.S. Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate, Mediguide to Urology, 1993.
  4. Cowles, R.S.: Results After Nine Months of a Prospective Randomized Study Comparing Transurethral Resection of the Prostate and Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate. SPIE Vol. 1879, Lasers in Urology, Gynecology and General Surgery, 1993.
  5. Cowles, R.S.: Chapter: One Year Follow-up of Eighty Patients Undergoing Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate, Book Titled: Applications of Newer Forms of Therapeutic Energy in Urology, 1995.
  6. Cowles, R.S.: Effect of Intraprostatic Blood Flow on Laser Energy Penetration in the Canine Prostate. SPIE Vol. 2395, Laser Prostatectomy, January 1995.
  7. Cowles, R.S.: A Prospective Randomized Comparison of Transurethral Resection to Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. UROLOGY, 1995.
  8. Cowles, R.S.: VLAP Results Immediately Post-OP, Proceedings SPIE Annual Meeting, 1996.
  9. Cowles, R.S.: A Prospective Randomized Comparison of Transurethral Resection to Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Urology, Digest, Volume 2, April 1996.
  10. Cowles, R.S.: A prospective randomized trial comparing TURP to VLAP for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Year Book Of Urology 1996, P 168-169.
  11. Cowles, R.S.: Local Trends in Outpatient Healthcare, M.D. News, Vol. 5, No. 11, Nov. 2004.

Presentations

  1. Cowles, R., Johnson, D.R., McMurtrey, M.J.: Long-term Results Following Thoracotomy for Metastatic Bladder Cancer, Urology 20: 390 (1982). Presented: Annual M.D. Anderson Urological Oncology Seminar.
  2. Boileau, M.A., Cowles, R.S., Schmidt, K.L., Schmidt, W.A.: Comparison of Specific Red Cell Adherence Tests and Immunoperoxidase Identification of ABO (H) Antigens on Bladder Tumors, Journal Surgical Oncology, 1983. Presented: South Central Section Meeting, American Urologic Association.
  3. Allen, D.C., Cowles, R.S., Ellison, M.F.: Office - Based Anesthesia-Free Lithotripsy. Presented: Southeastern Section American Urological Association, March 1991.
  4. Cowles, R.S.: A Prospective Randomized Study Comparing Transurethral Resection of the Prostate and Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate. Presented: American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, May 1992, Orlando, Florida.
  5. Cowles, R.S.: Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate. Presented: American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc., May 1992, Orlando, Florida.
  6. Cowles, R.S.: Johnson, D.E.: Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate, Videotape (1992). Presented: American Urological Association, May 10-14, 1992, Washington, D.C.
  7. Cowles, R.S.: Results After Nine Months of a Prospective Randomized Study Comparing Transurethral Resection of the Prostate and Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate. Presented: Progress in Biomedical Optics, January 16-18, 1993, Los Angeles,California.
  8. Cowles, R.S.: Results After Eighteen Months Comparing Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate to Transurethral Resection of the Prostate. Presented: SPIE, Lasers in Urology at Lasers and Applications 1994, January 22-28, 1994, Los Angeles, California. Program Chairman.
  9. Cowles, R.S.: Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate - One Year Follow-Up Results in 30 Patients Treated with a 60-Watt Protocol. Presented: Southeastern Section American Urological Association, March 5-8, 1994, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  10. Cowles, R.S.: Objective Results Nine Months Following Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate. Presented: American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc., April 8-10, 1994, Toronto, Canada.
  11. Cowles, R.S.: One Year follow-up of Eighty Patients Undergoing Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate. Presented: American Urological Association, Inc., May 16, 1994, Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California.
  12. Cowles, R.S.: One Year Follow-up of Eighty Patients Undergoing Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate. Presented: Society of International Urology, Sydney Australia, 1994.
  13. Cowles, R.S.: Laser Fiber Perspective. Presented: Society of Endourology, St. Louis, Missouri, December, 1994.
  14. Cowles, R.S., Costello, Perlmutter: Laser Prostatectomy. Presented: AUA Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 1995. Chairman- Post Graduate Seminar.
  15. Cowles, R.S.: Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate (V.L.A.P.) Results Immediately Post-OP. Presented at SPIE Annual Meeting, 1996.
  16. Cowles, R.S.; Visual Laser Ablation of the Prostate (V.L.A.P.), Mayo Clinic- Scottsdale, AZ. Visiting Lecturer, 1993.
  17. Cowles, R.S.: Effect of Intraprostatic Blood Flow on Laser Penetration in the Canine Prostate. Presented at SPIE Annual Meeting 1995.
  18. Cowles, R.S.: Laser treatment in BPH. Presented at the 1996 Bodo von Gerlts Lecture, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Visiting Professorship in Urology- March 1996.
  19. Cowles, R.S.: Intraoperative Video: New Techniques, Video Systems, and other Uses of Television in Urology. American Urological Association, Inc., April 1997, Annual Meeting , New Orleans. Chairman-Post Graduate Seminar.
  20. Cowles, R.S.: Intraoperative Video and other Uses of Television in Urology. Presented: American Urological Association, Inc., May 1998. Chairman- Post Graduate Seminar.