The Patient Ratings and comments are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety.
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REFER A PATIENT
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Track your patients' progress and communicate with Stanford providers conveniently and securely.
Robert Cowan, MD, FAAN
Headache and facial pain specialist
Clinical Professor, Neurology & Neurological Sciences
Clinical Professor (By courtesy), Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine
- 300 Pasteur Drive
- 3rd Floor
- Stanford, CA 94305
- Phone: 650-723-6469
- 450 Broadway Street
- Pavilion A, 1st Floor
- Redwood City, CA 94063
- Phone: 650-723-6238
- 450 Broadway Street
- Redwood City, CA 94063
- Phone: 650-723-6469
Practice Areas
Professional Education
- Board Certification, Unified Council of Neurologic Subspecialties, Headache Medicine (2008)
- Board Certification, American Academy of Pain Medicine (2000)
- Residency: LAC and USC Medical Center (1990) CA
- Internship: LAC and USC Medical Center (1987) CA
- Medical Education: Keck School of Medicine University of Southern CA (1986) CA
- Board Certification: Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (1994)
Honors & Awards
- Magna Cum Laude, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts (1972)
- Woodrow Wilson Scholar, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts (1972)
- Chief Resident, LAC/USC, Los Angeles, California (1989)
- Fellow, American Academy of Neurology (2006)
- Fellow, American Headache Society (2010)
Administrative Appointments
- Program Director, Headache Cooperative of the Pacific (2007 - 2011)
- Vice President, Headache Cooperative of the Pacific (2007 - 2012)
- Chair, Refractory Headache Special Interest Section, American Headache Society, American Headache Society (2012 - Present)
- Director,Stanford Headache Program, Stanford University School of Medicine (2011 - Present)
- President, Headache Cooperative of the Pacific (2012 - Present)
Publications
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Comparison of parenteral treatments of acute primary headache in a large academic emergency department cohort
McCarthy, L. H., & Cowan, R. P. (2015). Comparison of parenteral treatments of acute primary headache in a large academic emergency department cohort. CEPHALALGIA, 35(9), 807-815. -
Prevalence of migraine headache and its weight on neurological burden in Africa: a 43-year systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based studies.
Woldeamanuel, Y. W., Andreou, A. P., & Cowan, R. P. (2014). Prevalence of migraine headache and its weight on neurological burden in Africa: a 43-year systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based studies. Journal of the neurological sciences, 342(1-2), 1-15. -
Prevalence of migraine headache and its weight on neurological burden in Africa: A 43-year systematic review and Meta-analysis of community-based studies
Woldeamanuel, Y. W., Andreou, A. P., & Cowan, R. P. (2014). Prevalence of migraine headache and its weight on neurological burden in Africa: A 43-year systematic review and Meta-analysis of community-based studies. JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES, 342(1-2), 1-15. -
CAM in the Real World: You May Practice Evidence-Based Medicine, But Your Patients Don't
Cowan, R. P. (2014). CAM in the Real World: You May Practice Evidence-Based Medicine, But Your Patients Don't. HEADACHE, 54(6), 1097-1102.
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Does exercise make migraines worse and tension type headaches better?
Hindiyeh, N. A., Krusz, J. C., & Cowan, R. P. (2013). Does exercise make migraines worse and tension type headaches better?. Current pain and headache reports, 17(12), 380-?.
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Executive Function Changes before Memory in Preclinical Alzheimer's Pathology: A Prospective, Cross-Sectional, Case Control Study
Harrington, M. G., Chiang, J., Pogoda, J. M., Gomez, M., Thomas, K., & Fonteh, A. N. (2013). Executive Function Changes before Memory in Preclinical Alzheimer's Pathology: A Prospective, Cross-Sectional, Case Control Study. PLOS ONE, 8(11).
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Does Exercise Make Migraines Worse and Tension Type Headaches Better?
Hindiyeh, N. A., Krusz, J. C., & Cowan, R. P. (2013). Does Exercise Make Migraines Worse and Tension Type Headaches Better?. CURRENT PAIN AND HEADACHE REPORTS, 17(12).
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Phospholipase C activity increases in cerebrospinal fluid from migraineurs in proportion to the number of comorbid conditions: a case-control study
Fonteh, A. N., Pogoda, J. M., Chung, R., Cowan, R. P., & Harrington, M. G. (2013). Phospholipase C activity increases in cerebrospinal fluid from migraineurs in proportion to the number of comorbid conditions: a case-control study. JOURNAL OF HEADACHE AND PAIN, 14.
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Cerebrospinal fluid phosopholipase C activity increases in migraine.
Alfred N Fonteh, Rainbow Chung, Tara L Sharma, R Danielle Fisher, Janice M Pogoda, & Michael G Harrington. (2011). Cerebrospinal fluid phosopholipase C activity increases in migraine. Cephalalgia, 31 (4).
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Capillary Endothelial Na+, K+, ATPase Transporter Homeostasis and a New Theory for Migraine Pathophysiology.
Harrington, M. G., Fonteh, A.N., Arakaki, X., & R. (2010). Capillary Endothelial Na+, K+, ATPase Transporter Homeostasis and a New Theory for Migraine Pathophysiology. Headache, 50 (3).
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The morphology and biochemistry of nanostructures provide evidence for synthesis and signaling functions in human cerebrospinal fluid.
Harrington MG, Fonteh AN, Oborina E, Liao P, Cowan RP, & Huhmer AF. (2009). The morphology and biochemistry of nanostructures provide evidence for synthesis and signaling functions in human cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal Fluid Res..
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Prostaglandin D Synthase Isoforms from Cerebrospinal Fluid Vary with Brain Physiology.
Harrinton MG, F. An. B. Rg. H. Af. C. Rp. (2006). Prostaglandin D Synthase Isoforms from Cerebrospinal Fluid Vary with Brain Physiology. Disease Markers, 22 (1-2).
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Cerebrospinal Fluid Sodium Increases in Migraine
Harrington MG, F. An. C. Rp. P. K. P. Jm. B. Rg. H. Afr. (2006). Cerebrospinal Fluid Sodium Increases in Migraine. Headache, 46 (7).
Patient Comments
Patients comments are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
SHC Patient, Sep 2015
So far, I'm very happy w/the treatment options I've been presented with -
SHC Patient, Aug 2015
Both Doc Cowan and his assistant were wonderful and very helpful.
SHC Patient, Jul 2015
I was required to bring disc with radiology studies. These were never reviewed with me. It was clear that Dr. Cowan did not read my entire medical record prior to my visit.
SHC Patient, Jul 2015
The best migraine doctor I have ever seen!
SHC Patient, Mar 2015
Dr. McCawley & Dr. Cowan were very thorough & wonderful. Felt like I was in good hands.
SHC Patient, Mar 2015
Always get more time w/the fellow than Dr. Cowan.
SHC Patient, Jan 2015
Awesome doctor - good listener. (Fellow was also wonderful.)
SHC Patient, Dec 2014
Dr. Cowan treated me with respect and had genuine concerns about my health. Dr. Aurora and Carol Ann Barch don't seem to care about helping me.
SHC Patient, Dec 2014
Dr. Cowan and his fellows were superb in all ways.
SHC Patient, Nov 2014
This was a consultation arranged by my treating neurologist (from Stanford) to assess my eligibility for a procedure performed elsewhere in Stanford - a limited, non-traditional role for Cowan.
SHC Patient, Oct 2014
Love Doctor Cowan!! Wished I'd come sooner.
SHC Patient, Aug 2014
When I see Dr. Cowan it's amazing! Yet NOT so when I see Barch, etc. Wish you were less busy so I could always see Dr. Cowan.
SHC Patient, Jun 2014
99% of visit was with assistant doctor (she had a fellowship). Dr. Cowan spent 5 minutes or less with me.
SHC Patient, Jun 2014
Super happy with my care from Dr. Cowan & Dr. Barch.
SHC Patient, May 2014
Dr. Cowan was great.
SHC Patient, Apr 2014
GREAT effort to include me in decision making, but I felt rushed to make decision without enough information.
SHC Patient, Apr 2014
This provider and I "clash" on some aspects of my care re: medications - opiates, so I've been transferring most of my care, aside from Botox to other providers. He is, however, very friendly & caring.
SHC Patient, Mar 2014
I was really nervous to get botox for my migraines. Dr. Cowan really eased that fear.
SHC Patient, Mar 2014
Dr. Cowan was very friendly, competent & informed - - helped me with decisions re" my care. Feel confident seeing him.
SHC Patient, Feb 2014
'Botox day' did not allow time so I am returning to talk.
SHC Patient, Jan 2014
Very respectful.
SHC Patient, Sep 2015
So far, I'm very happy w/the treatment options I've been presented with -
SHC Patient, Aug 2015
Both Doc Cowan and his assistant were wonderful and very helpful.
SHC Patient, Jul 2015
I was required to bring disc with radiology studies. These were never reviewed with me. It was clear that Dr. Cowan did not read my entire medical record prior to my visit.
SHC Patient, Jul 2015
The best migraine doctor I have ever seen!
SHC Patient, Mar 2015
Dr. McCawley & Dr. Cowan were very thorough & wonderful. Felt like I was in good hands.
SHC Patient, Mar 2015
Always get more time w/the fellow than Dr. Cowan.
SHC Patient, Jan 2015
Awesome doctor - good listener. (Fellow was also wonderful.)
SHC Patient, Dec 2014
Dr. Cowan treated me with respect and had genuine concerns about my health. Dr. Aurora and Carol Ann Barch don't seem to care about helping me.
SHC Patient, Dec 2014
Dr. Cowan and his fellows were superb in all ways.
SHC Patient, Nov 2014
This was a consultation arranged by my treating neurologist (from Stanford) to assess my eligibility for a procedure performed elsewhere in Stanford - a limited, non-traditional role for Cowan.
SHC Patient, Oct 2014
Love Doctor Cowan!! Wished I'd come sooner.
SHC Patient, Aug 2014
When I see Dr. Cowan it's amazing! Yet NOT so when I see Barch, etc. Wish you were less busy so I could always see Dr. Cowan.
View All 21 Patient Comments »