Posted: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
By: Ian Leonhardt, Advancement Communications Coordinator

The University of Evansville (UE) is proud to announce a transformational $50,000 gift from Dr. Jay Moskowitz and Mrs. Joanne Moskowitz that will establish the first-ever student awards in the Department of Physician Assistant Science (UEPA).

The Moskowitz Family Physician Assistant Award for Innovation in Healthcare and the Moskowitz Family Physician Assistant Leadership Award will empower students who are driven to improve healthcare through bold ideas, creativity, compassionate leadership, and a deep commitment to service. Each year, recipients will be recognized at the UEPA hooding ceremony and receive funding to support participation in a related Health Sciences conference. The awards are supported by a permanent endowment, ensuring they will impact students for generations to come.

Physician assistants play a vital role in expanding access to care, often serving as the first point of contact and the driving force behind coordinated, compassionate healthcare. At UE, the Physician Assistant Science Program prepares students to meet this need, especially in underserved and rural areas.

"Good health made possible, that's our credo," said Dr. Moskowitz. "These awards are about more than recognition. They're about fueling the energy and excellence of students who will shape the future of care."

Dr. Moskowitz's career spans more than five decades in science, policy, and healthcare leadership. At the National Institutes of Health, he helped launch the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and championed translational science, bridging laboratory breakthroughs with clinical solutions. At Wake Forest University School of Medicine, he spearheaded a dramatic expansion of the medical school's research enterprise. During his time at Pennsylvania State University, he integrated research programs across campuses and established the "Jayhound" inter-campus shuttle, strengthening health science collaborations. "Innovation doesn't happen in isolation," he said. "Everywhere we've gone, I've tried to connect universities, industry, and communities."

Joanne Moskowitz's impact has been equally profound. A lifelong educator, she taught elementary school for more than 30 years, instilling curiosity and confidence in young learners. "Sparking curiosity in children is what carries them forward into science, medicine, and service," she said. Her belief in the power of early education continues to shape the couple's philanthropic vision.

Now residents of Evansville, the Moskowitz family is deeply connected to UE's mission. "Every student deserves someone in their corner," said Mrs. Moskowitz. "For us, that means creating opportunities for growth, for learning, and for giving back in whatever ways we can."

"When a student sees their name on this plaque 20 years from now," Dr. Moskowitz added. "I hope they remember that someone believed in them, and that it inspires them to believe in others."