Welcome to The History of Eyecare, a podcast series that is dedicated to exploring the past so that we can better shape the future. In today’s episode, host Dr. Morgan Micheletti interviews guest Dr. Frank Bowden III, an ophthalmologist and founder of Bowden Eye and Associates. He served in the Navy for 12 years and was recognized with two medals for his service. He was the ophthalmologist for the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars for 23 years.

To begin, Dr. Bowden III grew up in Knoxville, TN and his parents were the first in his family to go to college. He participated in a regional science fair where he made a paper mâché of a human eye. He went to the University of Tennessee and was accepted into medical school after 3 years. He received a military scholarship through the navy and attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville. He finished medical school, got accepted into the ophthalmology program, and was the first African American to complete the training at the time. He was stationed in Jacksonville, FL as the staff ophthalmologist for the hospital and after 3 years, he went to Philadelphia for a year-long cornea fellowship. He went back to Jacksonville for private practice and became the second cornea specialist in the city. He helped form Baptist Eye Institute and was asked to be the ophthalmologist for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The craziest thing he saw was when the defensive tackle had an eye injury from a bar fight. He had a laceration on his cornea and did the repair and a cataract removal a week later. He had to deal with this player’s agent and the local press, but he was rehabilitated to play the next season even with stitches in his cornea. He ended up with 20/25 vision and saved his career.

As an African American surgeon, he recalls facing hesitancy and challenges as part of his training. One of the surgeons in his residency program had reservations against him being there, but, at the end of his residency and with all of his accolades, this surgeon came up to Dr. Bowden and said that even though he complained about him, he now fully supported him. He had multiple challenges but also many wonderful experiences and says if you’re prepared and conduct yourself professionally, people will want to help you get to where you want to be. He says you have to challenge yourself and continually learn and adapt.

Key Topics:
0:42 – Introducing today’s guest, Dr. Frank Bowden III.
1:34 – Dr. Frank Bowden III’s medical journey.
13:58 – Dr. Bowden III shares what it was like being the ophthalmologist for the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars.
18:37 – His journey as an African American surgeon.
24:25 – What did you feel was the most important innovation in your career?
36:03 – His advice for anyone who feels like they’re not supported.
40:14 – Did you feel the bar was higher for you?
42:16 – His mentors’ impact on his career.