The Dr. Rebecca D. Shadowen Research and Education Fund

Rebecca D. Shadowen, M.D. was a healthcare hero and inspiration to so many, spearheading the fight against the pandemic in Southcentral Kentucky. In May 2020, after serving as our region’s leading expert on the disease, Dr. Shadowen was diagnosedwith COVID-19. Four months later, our community suffered a devastating loss with her passing. Dr. Shadowen’s contributions are immeasurable and will have lasting impact for years to come. The Rebecca D. Shadowen Research and Education Fund was established to carry out Dr. Shadowen’s legacy of outstanding healthcare in this community. 

Dr. Shadowen enjoyed helping patients with their health problems and working with the doctors, nurses, and staff of the hospitals in Bowling Green and the surrounding counties in Southcentral Kentucky. She enjoyed helping teach medical students and residents of The Medical Center at Bowling Green and helping them with various research projects. She had been an active medical educator for her region, continuing in clinical publications, investigational new drugs, and held teaching affiliations at three universities. She has been elected to fellowship in the Society of Hospital Epidemiology of America and the American College of Physicians. In 2011 she was awarded “outstanding woman of achievement in health and science” by the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission.

Dr. Shadowen shared the words below in one of her last written communications to the providers. She will be greatly missed.

“I wish to sincerely thank all those who have been supportive during my serious illness. I am so honored and proud to be a part of this medical community and see first-hand the extraordinary teamwork, expertise and engagement. You are my heroes, friends, colleagues and family. I hope soon to be free again!”

Dr. Rebecca D. Shadowen