California Anesthesiologist Dr. Anna Bowling Is Thankful For ‘A Life of Purpose’

As a young girl, Dr. Anna Bowling always knew she wanted to pursue a career in the STEM field. However, her inherent interest and aptitude for the natural sciences, combined with a deep desire to make a meaningful impact, led her down the path to studying medicine.

“I wanted a life of purpose,” Dr. Anna Bowling explains. “When my best friend’s mom had emergent surgery for a ruptured intracranial aneurysm, I was amazed at what the doctors were able to do. They saved her life and gave the family their loved one back. Medicine became my calling.”

Inspired by this experience, Bowling pursued a medical degree at The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, followed by a residency in anesthesiology at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. 

During her residency, Dr. Bowling discovered her true passion lay in anesthesiology.

“I wanted to help the sickest patients and be a pillar of strength on someone’s darkest days,” she says. “This is what we do as anesthesiologists. We have the incredibly rewarding and meaningful task of keeping patients safe through their surgeries and returning them to their loved ones.”

Dr. Anna Bowling’s Passion for Providing Comfortable Surgical Experiences

Bowling’s commitment to ensuring the safest, most comfortable surgical experiences for patients led her to do her fellowship in regional anesthesia. 

“I am passionate about making surgery as easy as possible for patients,” Bowling explains. “Regional anesthesia helps achieve this aim. My patients would awaken cognitively clear with excellent pain control.”

In addition to the benefits for the patient, regional anesthesia is especially advantageous for elderly or high-risk individuals who may not be ideal candidates for general anesthesia. “Instead of putting your grandmother under general anesthesia, which carries more risk,” Bowling explains, “We can numb her arm and give her sedation to sleep lightly.” 

Bowling’s passion for regional anesthesia as a method for managing pain while minimizing the use of opioids has been a significant motivator in her career. 

“Being able to be a part of this pivot toward better patient care has reinforced my passion for medicine,” she reflects.

Anna Bowling’s Commitment to Personal Growth

Dr. Bowling is also a certified life coach, which allows her to share the valuable lessons she’s learned with others, empowering them to overcome their own difficulties and tap into their full potential.

“The relationship that you have with yourself is really the most important relationship you will ever have,” Bowling reflects. “Everything else depends on it. You must learn to understand your own mind and learn to direct it to function in a way that serves you best.”

Living and Leading with Authenticity

Throughout her journey, Dr. Bowling has remained grounded in a core set of personal and professional values that guide her every step. “I value hard work, respect, honesty, and having a growth mindset,” she says.

Bowling’s commitment to authenticity and self-reflection has been crucial to her success. “I take pride in staying true to myself, regardless of the circumstances,” she asserts. “I have learned to take any negative experience and use it as an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of who I am, what I stand for, and who I want to be.”

This growth mindset proves invaluable, particularly when managing the inherent stresses of her high-stakes profession. Rather than seeking to achieve a rigid work-life “balance,” Bowling embraces a more fluid approach, focusing her energy and time on what’s most important long-term.

“I realize how short life really is and how valuable and limited our time and energy really are. Reducing my life down to what really matters eliminates clutter and ensures I am living my life in a purposeful way.”

By maintaining a clear sense of purpose in her work, Bowling can manage the challenges of healthcare – from difficult personalities to high emotions – with empathy and understanding. “Healthcare truly is a team sport,” she emphasizes. “And we all have to look out for each other. When we listen to each other, support each other, and learn from each other, it’s amazing what we can deliver.”

Dr. Anna Bowling’s Education and Career

Dr. Anna Bowling graduated magna cum laude from East Carolina University, earning degrees in biology and chemistry. She then attended The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and completed her Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care residency at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. Dr. Bowling furthered her training at UC Irvine as a clinical instructor and fellow in Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine.

She has worked as an attending physician at medical facilities throughout southern California, where she feels privileged to care for her patients.

Defining Success Through Fulfillment

For Bowling, success is not measured by accolades or achievements but by her ability to live a truly fulfilling life. “I define success as being able to live a life that is meaningful to you,” she explains. “When we spend our time doing something that feels meaningful, we become more effective, learn continuously, and contribute significantly.”

This focus on living a meaningful and purposeful life has been central to Bowling’s journey. Whether it’s practicing medicine or her relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth, Bowling’s actions are always rooted in a deep sense of calling, conviction and a desire to help others.

“Whenever I need inspiration,” Bowling says, “I turn to David Goggins. He’s the epitome of self-made, and he didn’t let anything or anyone stop him from achieving his goals. That’s the kind of inspiration I draw from – the kind that reminds me to keep pushing forward, no matter what.”

Bowling’s remarkable journey in anesthesiology and her commitment to life coaching exemplify the impact of passion, purpose, and determination. Remaining aligned with her core values and fostering a mindset of constant development, she has not only positively influenced her patients’ lives but also motivated everyone in her circle to strive for their personal best.

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