WOMEN TO WATCH
2016

IDEN M. COWAN

DOCTOR, PHYSICIAN MEMBER / CO-FOUNDER & CO-OWNER
PAIN TREATMENT CENTERS OF AMERICA / BLUE CANOE BREWING & TACO BEER BURRITO

I consider myself a very lucky individual as I am able to pursue two of my passions. First, the practice of interventional pain medicine, and second, pursuing my creative outlets in creating Blue Canoe Brewing Co. and now opening Taco Beer Burrito @BCBC! I feel extremely privileged to be able to treat deserving Arkansans with spine and joint pain with procedures spanning from kyphoplasties, radio-frequency ablations to epidural steroid injections. I equally enjoy designing different beers & graphics for Blue Canoe as well. You only get one go-around in life!

PRESSING QUESTIONS

BEST CAREER MOMENT SO FAR:

By far, the best moment in my career as a physician was joining PTCOA. I’ve been surrounded by dedicated physicians that have become my friends and mentors, as well as tremendous nurses. I’m pretty proud of my team and the care we deliver.

HOW YOU DEFINE SUCCESS:

Success to me is accomplishing the goals I’ve set forth as well as achieving financial freedom to be able to give to causes I’m passionate about: anything related to animals and helping children in need.

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?

I have many, but first, my parents. They immigrated from Iran during the revolution. My father had two Ph.D.s and washed dishes to bring money to our family while working on his postdoctorate. It’s humbling, not to mention their work ethic.

HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO?

I’m one of those typical people that say they always knew they wanted to be a doctor, and I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands. Interventional pain allows me to perform procedures that help people with chronic joint pain.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED:

There was a poster in my dad’s lab that’s always stuck with me: “In the road of life, set your own pace. There will always be folks ahead of you and just as many behind. Set your own tracks!”

FAVORITE PART OF LIVING IN LITTLE ROCK:

Little Rock is such a lively city! It’s big enough to enjoy different cultural avenues, but small enough to make truly meaningful friendships with amazing people. There are also so many trails & outdoor activities available.

I WISH I KNEW HOW TO:

Drive a tractor! I’d till up a huge garden. Oh, and I wish I were better at gardening. I’ve got brown thumbs. Ha!

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

NEIGHBORHOOD:

Quapaw Quarter

HOMETOWN:

Grew up in Main but born in Fayetteville

LAST GOOD READ:

David Sedaris

FAVORITE FOOD:

Tacos!

FAVORITE LUNCH SPOT:

Boulevard Bread or The Root

FIRST THING YOU DO AT THE OFFICE:

Tell my nurses how much I appreciate them

LATEST SPLURGE:

I’m embarrassed. I’ve always wanted Christian Louboutin’s

THINGS YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORK:

Build furniture from reclaimed materials, working out

DREAM VACATION:

Stay-cation, poolside

FAVORITE SONG:

Taylor Swift, “Shake it off,” lol

SPONSORS