Jennifer Cowger MD, MS (formerly Jennifer Matthews) is a clinical lecturer in Cardiovascular Medicine. Her expertise is in advanced heart failure, cardiac transplant, and mechanical support of the heart. Dr. Cowger received her medical degree from the Ohio State University, graduating class valedictorian in 2001. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina in 2004. She received her Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship training at the University of Michigan with subspecialty training in Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant which was completed in 2007. After concluding her medical education, Dr. Cowger obtained a Masters in Clinical Research and Statistics at the University’s School of Public Health. Dr. Cowger’s research interests are in mechanical circulatory support of the heart using left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Her specific research area of focus is on improving patient outcomes with long term LVAD support. She is also interested in investigating novel means of reducing oxidative stress in the setting of heart failure. Dr. Cowger supports a multidisciplinary approach to advanced heart failure care and works very closely with cardiac surgery, her other heart failure colleagues, and the patient to devise a care plan that is in the patient’s best interest. She values the importance of the doctor-patient relationship, patient and family centered care, and believes that physician- and nurse specialist-driven patient education is important for patient empowerment in their own health care.