Michael McDowell, MD
Captain, Medical Corps, USN Retired
Doctor Michael McDowell recently completed 24 years of dedicated Military Service, retiring from the Navy as an 06 Captain. A native of Cullman, Alabama, he entered Auburn University in 1991 and joined the NROTC. He later was accepted to the US Naval Academy and graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering.
Granted a special appointment to enter medical school, Dr. McDowell matriculated at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. He completed a surgical internship and residency in Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in 2006. Dr. McDowell began his otolaryngology practice at the Naval Hospital in Bremerton, Washington and was board certified in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery in the spring of 2007.
During his time in the naval service, he completed tours at the Naval Hospital Bremerton, US Naval Hospital Naples in Naples, Italy, where he served as Director for Surgical Services, and provided otolaryngology services at Naval Hospitals Sigonella, Sicily and Rota, Spain. He later served as Chief Medical Officer at Naval Health Clinic New England, and finally supported the Otolaryngology Clinic as a full time surgeon at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, where he honed his surgical skills. Additionally, he supported US Naval Hospital Guam and travelled regularly to Naval Hospital Oak Harbor as part of a resource sharing agreement. He is board certified as a diplomate by the American Board of Otolaryngology.
Dr. McDowell has also worked in the private sector for nearly two decades. In Poulsbo, WA, he worked at Dr. Michael Junkeit’s private ENT office where he worked at a surgery center and in office operative suits. In Tacoma, WA, he was employed by the Franciscan Medical Group to cover call at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in their robust Ear Nose and Throat Clinic and St. Joseph’s Medical Center. After moving to Rhode Island, he began working at Saint Luke’s hospital at Southcoast Health where he covered clinic and two hospitals which included pediatric patients. Locally, Dr. McDowell has worked at UF Health in Jacksonville (a multispeciality group), HCA in Orange Park and Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, FL.
He is married to his best friend and wonderful wife, Virginia, of 16 years. Together they enjoy parenting their three lovely daughters, traveling, and remaining active. In his free time, Dr. McDowell enjoys running, using power tools, boating, watching his daughters in theatrical performances, working out with Virginia, quoting Monty Python skits, and spending time with his family. One of his daily highlights as a physician and surgeon is interacting with patients, caring for them and helping them toward better health and happiness.
