From Clinic to Classroom: Annie Kowalis Shares Her Journey from Practice to Education
For Annie Kowalis DMSc, PA-C, the path to becoming a physician assistant began in childhood. The daughter of first-generation immigrants, she spent countless hours in medical offices acting as a translator for her family. “It was evident to me at a young age that medical professionals embodied a skillful balance of compassion, confidence, brilliance, and courage,” she recalls. That early experience set the foundation for a lifelong commitment to medicine and patient care.
As a 2024 graduate of the SIU Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program, Dr. Kowalis brings her extensive clinical experience into the academic world. Recently appointed Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore’s School of Graduate Studies Physician Assistant Program, she’s already making an impact in the classroom while continuing her clinical work with MedStar Union Memorial Hospital’s Department of Orthopedics. She credits the DMSc program for helping her achieve this milestone: “I believe the degree played a pivotal role in the attainment of my post,” she affirms. Kowalis' decision to pursue the DMSc was born from a familiar question—one she often hears from her children: “Now, what do we do?” That refrain echoed in her own professional life. “After nearly 16 years in clinical practice, I found myself asking the same question,” she says. “One thing I know for certain is that I love being a physician assistant and want to share that feeling with anyone interested in hearing more.”
That desire to give back to the profession through education became the driving force behind her decision to pursue doctoral studies. “I didn’t see myself climbing the clinical ladder or pursuing a seat at the table,’” she explains. “I found joy in learning and hoped to pass it on by teaching. The DMSc at SIU helped make that possible.”
Kowalis praises the program’s structure and support, noting how the asynchronous format enabled her to balance full-time work with rigorous academic demands. She says her experience was worthwhile, but hard work, crediting the SIU faculty with guiding her every step of the way. “The faculty and staff are first class. Special shout-outs to Dr. Diemer and Dr. Ribbing for their unwavering support and kind words of encouragement.”
The educational practicum component of the program proved pivotal. It not only deepened her understanding of adult learning theory and curriculum development but also bolstered her confidence to step into a formal teaching role. “The practicum increased my knowledge of the intricacies of the ARC-PA standards, which will serve me well as a new PA educator,” she explains.
As part of the program’s educational track, Kowalis developed a personalized career map based on her institution’s promotion and tenure plan. “This exercise was educational, but more importantly, actionable. It’s a tool I’ll use throughout my career,” she says. But perhaps the most powerful takeaway from her time at SIU is the community she found along the way. “The SIU faculty is composed of some of the most phenomenal PA educators and clinicians. Their insight, expertise, and professionalism are sterling,” she says. “I am grateful to have trained under their tutelage.”
As she embarks on her journey in academia, Annie remains grounded in the values that led her to this moment. “I desperately want to be a part of that realization process for future generations of PAs,” she says, reflecting on the moment when complex topics in the classroom begin to make sense in real-world clinical settings.
Looking back, she would offer her past self just one piece of advice: “Whatever you may be on the fence about doing, just do it. Take the vacation… Go to the concert… Read the book… because once school starts, you may find free time is at a premium.” With her DMSc degree in hand and her passion for teaching at the forefront, Annie Kowalis is charting a new course—not only for herself but for the next generation of healthcare leaders.
