Catherine Kowal, MD

Finding Her Place in Rheumatology

The physicians Dr. Kowal encountered early in her career helped point her toward the specialty. They were kind and caring. But what stood out most was how genuinely excited they were about their work.

She soon discovered why.

Rheumatology offered the intellectual challenge of working through complex cases while also giving her the opportunity to care for patients over time. Each patient could be a puzzle, and while many conditions could not simply be cured, there was something meaningful about being able to care for them throughout their lives.

That same sense of purpose continues to shape Dr. Kowal’s work today, both in the exam room and as President of the Florida Society of Rheumatology.

A Voice for Rheumatologists

When it comes to rheumatology, there is no shortage of advocacy issues.

Dr. Kowal believes rheumatologists should be able to make treatment decisions based on what is best for their patients without unnecessary insurance interference. She points to prior authorization requirements as a particular concern and sees Medicare reimbursement reform as another important issue for rheumatologists. Continued reimbursement pressures, she believes, could push more rheumatologists toward concierge practice models.

For those just beginning their careers, her advice is simple but meaningful: make rheumatology your passion, consider staying independent, and always have empathy for your patients.

Through FSR, Dr. Kowal has an opportunity to help make sure rheumatologists have a voice on important issues. But her connection to the Society goes well beyond advocacy.

Her FSR “Work Family”

One of Dr. Kowal’s favorite FSR traditions is the Annual Meeting. For her, it is about much more than education and clinical updates. It is a chance to catch up with colleagues, strengthen friendships, and spend time with those she affectionately calls her “work family.”

Although medicine was clearly the career she was meant to pursue, Dr. Kowal continues to find new ways to learn and stay engaged with the specialty. As a visual learner, she enjoys attending professional meetings, including the FSR Annual Meeting and ACR, and follows resources such as RheumNow to stay engaged with a specialty that continues to evolve.

Life Beyond the Exam Room

And despite her enthusiastic answer about advocacy, Dr. Kowal does occasionally step away from rheumatology. She also enjoys racket sports, skiing, music, and cooking. But perhaps her favorite way to spend her time is with her daughters and grandson.

Still, it probably won’t be long before the conversation turns back to rheumatology.

For Dr. Kowal, the most rewarding part of being a rheumatologist is seeing patients continue to live active, fulfilling lives as treatment helps them manage their conditions. It brings the story back to what drew her to rheumatology in the first place: the opportunity to care for people over time and help them keep doing what matters to them. And she plans to keep advocating to make sure rheumatologists have what they need to help their patients do exactly that.