Karen L. Bowling

Photo by Roger Shrewsbury.

By Maggie Hatfield

Karen Bowling, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital and executive vice president of government affairs for WVU Medicine, always knew she wanted to help people, so health care was an obvious career path for her.

“My entire life I knew that wherever my path leads me, I want to be able to help people,” she says. “My firm belief is that God puts you in the right place at the right time, so all my choices were based on that premise.”

Looking back, Bowling’s biggest influence in her life was her father.

“Growing up in a small town in Southern West Virginia, my father frequently reminded me that I could do anything a boy could do. He instilled in me a determination and resilience that would not allow me to give up at anything, no matter how challenging,” she says.

Bowling used this resilience to start her career as an emergency department registered nurse and gradually progressed to leadership roles in nursing at hospitals in rural West Virginia.

“After receiving my bachelor’s degree in nursing, I began to explore school health and teaching in nursing programs.”

Eventually, she decided to pursue a master’s degree, which led her to her first executive role as a chief nursing officer.

“During this time, the company I worked for enrolled me in a program to expand my knowledge in health care administration,” she says.

Bowling’s interest in the clinical care of patients led her to achieve an additional credential as a nurse practitioner and spend her spare time volunteering at various free clinics.

“Both my administrative and clinical knowledge helped create my style of leadership in all the roles I have had throughout my career.”

In addition to these roles, Bowling served as the dean of Mountain State University’s School of Health Sciences and the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) for the state of West Virginia under Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.

“Upon leaving the Tomblin administration, I began working at WVU Medicine in various leadership capacities. Today, I continue to merge my interests in government relations and hospital leadership through my current role,” she says.

Bowling’s position is a blended job where she serves as both a president and CEO of a hospital and provides support for government affairs for the WVU Medicine system on the state and national level. Bowling feels fortunate to work with great leaders and a health care system that cares about the people in the state.

“As a CEO, I oversee the operations of a community hospital and provide support to the staff to ensure we meet our mission of delivering exceptional health care services,” she says.

In that role, Bowling’s focus is on ensuring this organization provides quality, comprehensive health care in Southern West Virginia.

“In the role of government affairs, my responsibility is to develop and maintain working relationships with the governor as well as cabinet, senate and house members,” she says. “On the national level, a close connection to the senators and congressmen who represent West Virginia is crucial. Keeping myself knowledgeable about the inner workings of the government and how best to advocate for important health care policy is a key component of my role.”

Not only is Bowling dedicated to helping the people of Southern West Virginia through her career, but she is also passionate about giving her free time and talent to the people in her community. Currently, she serves as a holiday reading and craft project volunteer at St. Francis De Sales Catholic School and member and former chairman of the West Virginia Hospital Association.

Although Bowling is proud of all she has accomplished professionally, her greatest success extends beyond her career.

“Raising two college-educated children who have grown into loving, caring and successful adults brings me immense pride,” she says. “Additionally, being able to enjoy time with my two beautiful granddaughters is a pleasure beyond measure.” 

Born and raised in West Virginia, Bowling has a deep-rooted love for the state and its people.

“The community here is incredibly family-oriented and cares deeply about one another, which has always resonated with me,” she says. “It’s truly a wonderful place to raise a family, and this connection to the Mountain State has been a significant factor in my decision to stay and work here.”