Edwin Bonilla, MD, Assists Tulane with Medical Training
Dr. Edwin R. Bonilla, M.D., of the Family Health Clinic in DeRidder, is currently assisting Tulane University, School of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine by serving as a clinical instructor for the Family Medicine Clerkship program. Matthew Cowper, a third year medical student at Tulane, will complete his Family Medicine Rotation here in DeRidder with Dr. Bonilla, as well as Dr. Chris Granger, also of the Family Health Clinic.
Cowper and his family moved from England to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1998. Here, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His family currently still resides in Charlotte. Cowper was influenced to study medicine by his captivation of science and medicine. “Throughout my early education I gravitated towards these subjects, and found them the most interesting. Learning about how the human body worked was a fascinating endeavor. Coupled with a proclivity to work with people, and a social disposition, medicine seemed like the obvious choice,” expressed Cowper. When visiting Tulane for the first time, he was intrigued by the oak trees and New Orleans’ jazz music and cuisine. “New Orleans is a city that is very much alive. I felt that if I could spend even just four years there, it would be an unforgettable experience,” illustrated Cowper. He enjoys playing soccer and football at the intramural level at Tulane.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to mentor and precept medical students as they prepare to become medical doctors,” said Dr. Bonilla. Throughout his Family Medicine Junior Clerkship rotation, Cowper will work in a clinical setting in order to gain knowledge of the family physician’s place in the overall healthcare system. Although he is undecided, he is leaning towards internal medicine, but hasn’t ruled out surgery. Ideally, he would like to practice in North Carolina closer to his family. In addition to working with Dr. Bonilla and Dr. Granger in a clinical setting, Cowper will have the opportunity to work with other local physicians and clinical staff at Beauregard Memorial Hospital. He plans to learn as much as he can about the specialties available to him. During his month stay, he will receive room and board as a courtesy of Beauregard Memorial Hospital.