Richard G. Cowart of Baker Donelson has been named the recipient of the Middle Tennessee American Heart Association's lifetime service honor, the Martin E. Simmons Award.
Mr. Cowart, who was recognized along with his wife Becky, received the award during the 2019 Middle Tennessee Heart Gala on January 26, 2019, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The Cowarts were honored for their impact on the mission of the American Heart Association.
For more than 35 years, the Cowarts have advanced the American Heart Association's mission across the Southeast. Mr. Cowart has led local and state affiliates and chaired the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Chapter before joining the Middle Tennessee Board of Directors, chairing twice. He has served as a member of the Middle Tennessee leadership for more than 15 years. Early promoters of Go Red for Women, the Cowarts have encouraged countless individuals in Middle Tennessee to join their efforts in fighting heart disease and stroke. The Cowarts are prior recipients of the American Heart Association's Silver Distinguished Service Award, the Heart of Gold Award, and are proud members of the Cor Vitae Society. Their daughter Claire Cowart Haltom, who is a shareholder at Baker Donelson, in continuation of her family's commitment, formed the Pulse Board as a way for the American Heart Association to engage the next generation of philanthropic leaders.
Mr. Cowart is chair of Baker Donelson's Health Law/Government Relations & Public Policy Department and a member of the Firm's board of directors. He is a recognized authority in advising senior management regarding policy, regulatory and business issues related to health care. He serves as strategic counsel to health systems on business, policy and governance issues. A nationally known author and speaker on health care issues, Mr. Cowart is a fellow and past president of the American Health Law Association and a recipient of the organization's David R. Greenburg Award for Lifetime Service to Health Law. He has been listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers since 2003 and in The Best Lawyers in America since 1991. Additionally, Mr. Cowart has been recognized in Mid-South Super Lawyers since 2006 and has been consistently ranked by that publication among the "Top 50 Attorneys in Nashville" and the "Top 100 Attorneys in Tennessee."