The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) is pleased to welcome Terry Kowalenko, M.D., as its Director of Foundation Affairs. Dr. Kowalenko is a former member of the ABEM Board of Directors and served as ABEM President from 2017-2018. Over the past 26 years, he has served in many roles as a dedicated ABEM volunteer, including as an Oral Examiner and Item Writer.
As Director of Foundation Affairs, Dr. Kowalenko will provide leadership for the ABEM Foundation and the Dr. Leon L. Haley, Jr., Bridge to the Future of Emergency Medicine Academy. He will work with the Board of Directors and staff leadership to develop priorities, strengthen partnerships, and evaluate the outcomes of Foundation-supported programs and philanthropic efforts.
“Dr. Kowalenko comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience about our organization. He is committed to advancing ABEM certification, maintaining our standards, and evolving the work of our Foundation. We are excited for him to join ABEM in this new role,” shared ABEM President Diane L. Gorgas, M.D.
About Dr. Kowalenko
Dr. Kowalenko is board certified in Emergency Medicine and has practiced for over 35 years. He received his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, completed residency training at the University of Cincinnati, and is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Kowalenko has held numerous teaching and leadership positions throughout his career. Notably, he served as Director of Continuous Professional Development at the University of Michigan Medical School and Chair of Emergency Medicine at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. He then became President of the Beaumont Medical Group. He later joined the Medical University of South Carolina as Professor and Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine. Most recently, Dr. Kowalenko served as Executive Medical Director for the State of Michigan Department of Corrections at Wellpath-Grand Prairie, Inc.
An active researcher, Dr. Kowalenko has focused his interests on workplace violence, quality measures, and board certification. He has actively contributed to Committees within the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Kowalenko has received numerous awards, including the American College of Emergency Medicine National Teaching Award, the Distinguished Educator Award of the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors Academy for Scholarship, and the Ronald L. Krome, M.D. Meritorious Service Award. He has delivered over 200 presentations nationally and internationally and published multiple articles in peer-reviewed journals and professional publications.
