Gifted Healthcare, a national nurse-owned healthcare staffing company, named Kay Cowling as president and COO, a new position within the firm, effective Jan. 1.

Cowling until 2014 was CEO of Fastaff and US Nursing. Prior to Fastaff, she was senior VP of workers comp network OneCall Care Management. Cowling began her career in healthcare in 2002 and led ATS Health Services as CEO until merging it with a national company in 2007. Before this, Cowling co-founded Accounting Principals, which was acquired by Adecco. Cowling has been a strategic adviser to numerous digital healthcare startups, and has consulted with Gifted Healthcare since late 2015.

“Kay’s vast experience in building sustainable and scalable companies will greatly benefit Gifted Healthcare,” PK Scheerle, CEO of Gifted Healthcare, said. “Her strategic management, attention to technology, and growth experience brings a new level of expertise to our growing company. With Kay’s leadership, we are adding depth and experience to our already talented leadership and nurse executive team.”

Gifted, headquartered in New Orleans, is owned and operated by nurses. It provides travel and LTAC nurses with contract opportunities at hospitals and long-term acute care facilities nationwide. Gifted also offers local per diem and long-term contract nursing through regional offices in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas and other niche markets. Gifted’s infusion division provides in-home, outpatient and clinic infusion therapy in multiple states.