Dr. Courtney M. P. Hollowell is an internationally renowned surgeon and dynamic men’s health and wellness speaker. Dr. Hollowell received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and then earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He was the recipient of the prestigious James Scholar Award, giving him a full-tuition scholarship to medical school. He went on to complete his general surgical and urologic surgery training at the prestigious University of Chicago. He then continued his training at the University of Chicago as a fellow in urologic cancer. Dr. Hollowell is Chairman of Urology for the Cook County Health and Hospitals System, overseeing urological services for the third-largest public health hospital system in the United States. Dr. Hollowell has published over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and is internationally recognized as an expert in urologic cancer and men’s health. Dr. Hollowell is the recipient of numerous awards including the distinguished John D. Silbar Award for surgical excellence and innovation, the National Cancer Institute Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award and he was recently identified as an honoree for BET Network’s “28 Men of Change.” For excellence in the field of medicine, Dr. Hollowell was just named “Doctor of the Year” for the Cook County Health and Hospitals System.
In addition to his work as an accomplished surgeon and scientist, Dr. Hollowell is the founder and director of an organization determined to improve health literacy among inner-city men. The Men’s Health Initiative (MHI). This innovative program is designed to teach men how to obtain, process and understand health information in the context of their own care. Recognizing that poor health literacy is one of the strongest predictors of a person’s health, MHI aims to promote a better understanding of chronic medical conditions, preventive health services and navigating a complex health care system.
Along with overseeing a world-class surgery training program, Dr. Hollowell finds time to invest in the next generation of potential physicians, by creating a school-based program called Tomorrow’s Doctors. The Tomorrow’s Doctors program exposes underrepresented kids to the possibilities of science as a career by inspiring a similar fascination with math and science that he remembers having as a child. “With the right encouragement and exposure, the door of possibilities can be opened, making today’s children tomorrow’s doctors.”
Dr. Hollowell is married to Dr. Carmen Woods-Hollowell for over 24 years and they have two children.