Nanticoke native returns to be W-B free clinic medical director

A King’s College alumnus is now the first medical director for the free medical clinic, Volunteers in Medicine.

Michael K. Kowalski, 63, officially began his duties on Aug. 18 at the clinic at 190 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Kowalski involved with the VIM clinic. His knowledge, experience and dedication will be a great asset to this organization,” said Kelly L. Ranieli, the clinic’s executive director.

Kowalski attended Temple University’s School of Medicine after graduating from King’s College with a bachelor of science degree in 1967.

The Nanticoke native then began his medical internship and residency at Walter Reed Medical Center in 1971, before opening his private practice in 1979 in Washington, D.C.

But he’s not new to volunteer service. He has used his obstetrics and gynecology expertise during missions to the Philippines, Malaysia and Nicaragua.

Kowalski praised the work that Dr. Susan F. Sordini has done at the two-month-old clinic, which serves the portion of the working-class community that is either not offered medical insurance through work or is too poor to afford insurance.

“They are doing a wonderful job up there and I couldn’t resist helping them out. By keeping the working-class healthy, you will help productivity,” Kowalski said. “I can really see it being a resource that is going to help the valley out.”

He’ll be responsible for recruiting and supervising other volunteer doctors, serving as chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee and serving as a medical advisor to the clinic’s other volunteer staff.

Kowalski envisions the Volunteers in Medicine clinic growing to be a full-service clinic, eventually featuring dental and pharmacy services.

But he also wants to drum up political support because there are several other doctors he knows that want to volunteer a few hours a week at the clinic but worry about malpractice coverage.

After 20 years living in the nation’s capital, he and his wife, Carol, decided it was time to come home. They now reside at Shickshinny Lake.