Thomas E Kowalski, MD

Could not be more pleased with the entire staff, especially those in the procedure room. Answered any questions I had on my terms of understanding Dr Kowalski came highly recommended by another Dr.who could not perform procedure I needed.

My mom had ct scan and it showed a pancreatic mass. Went for endoscopic ultrasound by Dr Thomas Kowalski. After procedure he spoke w/ us explaining my mother has stage 2 pancreatic cancer but did not see vessel involvement and stated it looked operative. Upset but happy we "caught it early" went for consult w/ surgeon 2 weeks later, had 64 slice ct scan and was given the shocking news that my mom has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, her portal vein was strangled for quite some time that colateral circulation was present w/ mets to liver and lung. When we asked the surgeon why the results 2 weeks stated it was stage 2 w/ no mets he couldn't explain Dr. Kowalski's reported findings and told my mom she should " go home and get things in order" and " spend as much time w/ your family". My mom survived 11 months after that day. I know there was nothing we could do to change what was actually growing in my mom but how could Dr. Kowalski be do off? It was as if he was talking about a totally different patient. What added injury to insult was that the surgeon he referred us to couldn't explain at all why the report was so completely different from what my mom actually had. Dr Kowalski may be very smart and may help lots of people but he was completely wrong diagnosing my mom and never explained what happen. I lost total trust in him and question his integrity.

Ignores patients

Dr. Thomas Kowalski is an all-around class act. Not only is he a top-notch physician...the best in his field...but a warm and caring person who cares deeply about his patients as well as their families. I recently lost my Grandfather who was a patient of Dr. Kowalski for 16 months. Until the very end, Dr. Kowalski always treated my Pop with dignity and respect. It is not too often one finds a physician who truly puts his patients' needs and desires ahead of everything else. I do not have enough kind words to say. Thank you Dr. Kowalski for being the physician and person that you are.

My father-in-law was being treated at St Mary's Med. Ctr originally for colon rectal surgery in Jan 2011. His Pancreas duct was knicked during surgery. The doctor at St. Marys kept trying to treat the issue instead of referring immediately to a specialist. On March 2, 2011, a friend referred me to Dr. Kowalski at Jefferson. She gave me his office # & named the ladies in the GI dpt that schedule for Dr. Kowalski. (Joan D & Kelly) She said they are AWESOME and you will be in GREAT HANDS! So trusting that my friend had completed all the research for me -Look no further--I contacted Joan. She was a blessing! She told me everthing Dr. Kowalski would need(med records/cd from radiology) & kept me updated as to when my father in law could be transferred...within 2 days of receiving my paperwork he was on his way to Jefferson with a ERCP procedure planned for the following day with Dr. Kowalski. I couldn't believe the quick, urgent manner Dr. Kowalski & his team responded in. After my father-in-law was transferred, he said, he felt comfortable & confident Dr. Kowalski & his GI Team of Doctors (Dr. O'Hare & Dr. Roy) would get this Pancreas issue under control. Since his release from Jefferson on March 15- he has made great progress under Dr. Kowalski's care. The entire support staff from the fellowship & resident doctors & surgeons, skilled nurses. the schedulers or assistants, home infusion, home care, radiologists...it has been a remarkable experience that a hospital that big could offer such one on one care!

If you are seeking someone with knowledge and expertise with pancreatic disease, I can imagine no better hands to be in than Dr.Kowalski's. He is direct and professional, yet caring and responsive. He has taken the time to explain and reassure at times of uncertainty in regard to a surgical complication I was faced with. He is truly a part of our team for my health.Not only has he taken a personal interest in my case, he has exceeded all expectations of time investment walking us through health questions unrelated to my pancreas.The staff who manage calls are caring and have expedited scripts to me when faced with pancreatis out of town. I have gotten call backs in a timely fashion.The only way I would have been cared for better is if my mother was running the office.You are in good hands with this man and those he surrounds himself with. I have been under his care for four years as I write this.

Dr. Kowalski is an amazing, knowledgable doctor. He is the expert in his field. If you need a gastroenterologist, he is a fantastic choice. He has done very successful ERCP's on my 92 year old grandfather due to blocked bile ducts, gallstones, etc. He is always amazing and professional. Our family highly recommends Dr. Kowalski.

He will perform a routine ERCP and you will end up fighting for you life in the ICU. STAY AWAY