Get to Know: Allie Nowak
Allie recently joined Clinic Sofia as a Physician Assistant and we are thrilled to welcome her to our team. Allie previously practiced as a Physician Assistant for Allina Health at the Family Health/Urgent Care clinic in Minnetonka as well as a Nursing Assistant and Bionutrition Intern for the University of Iowa Hospital. While participating in the Maternity Observation for Medical Students (MOMS) program, Allie honed her interest in family medicine with a focus on prenatal wellness. She brings her gifts of insight, focus, compassion and wellness to each patient she sees at both the Edina and Maple Grove locations.
Family: I grew up in the small town of Almond, Wis., (population size of 380) about four hours from the Twin Cities and I have a younger brother, who lives in Eden Prairie. Both of my parents are self-employed: my mom is a restaurant owner and my father is a wood worker. I met my husband Chase, who’s originally from Colorado Springs, at Cornell College, and we’re happy to be in the Twin Cities.
What things do you enjoy outside work? I love the outdoors and enjoy running, biking and camping. I also love to cook and travel – I spent time in Vietnam caring for disabled and orphaned children, which really shaped the work I do.
Favorite travel destination? Within the United States, I love the Oregon Coastline. My husband and I biked and camped along the coastline (Hwy 101) for nine days during the summer of 2013. Internationally, my favorite travel destination has been Japan. I was blessed with the opportunity to join three other women while I was a student at Cornell College on a two-week exchange program to Tokyo. We attended a women’s junior college and took classes in calligraphy, the tea ceremony, dance, paper flower making, and cooking. The entire experience is something I will never forget and I returned home with a love for sushi!
What do you like about the Twin Cities? One of my favorite things is the extensive trail system, parks and active-minded community. There is always something to do within a short distance from home.
Favorite books? I will always love Harry Potter. Beyond that, I just started an interesting book called “The Last Best Cure” which details a personal account of a young women as she struggles to overcome autoimmune disease without the use of medication.
If I weren’t a physician assistant… I could see myself as a health coach or working at a college university.
Something you may not know about me: I taught myself how to ride a unicycle in middle school.
