Photo by Gilda Adler
Raised in Illinois, Dr. Julie Cowan Novak earned her first two degrees at the University of Iowa. She was the first USD Hahn School of Nursing Doctoral Program graduate in 1989, with predoctoral study at the University of Washington and postdoctoral study at Harvard Boston Children’s Brazelton Touchpoints Center.
Julie’s Grandmother Leah and Uncle George Cowan moved to San Diego in 1930; that history and familiarity influenced her decision to make Southern California her home. She was recruited as a pediatric nurse practitioner and faculty member to SDSU and the UCSD Special Care Nursery Follow-Up Program in 1977 by Dr. Lou Gluck. Over the next four years, she and her husband, Dr. Robert Novak (a professor at SDSU), had three sons at Sharp Hospital. “Our sons attended the exceptional SDSU Child Study Center Preschool and Benchley-Weinberger Individualized Learning Magnate Elementary School, giving us the opportunity to support their school community in many ways. We each served as PTA president and weekly classroom volunteer where we made lifelong friendships with teachers and fellow parents.” Julie’s early involvement in San Diego philanthropy flourished in Balboa Park, the Junior League, Cub Scouts, youth sports, church activities, and the Jamul School Foundation.
In 2005, Dr. Novak was honored to receive the Sigma Theta Tau International Belford Teaching Award and the USD President Author Hughes Career Achievement Award. She was honored with two of the highest nursing honors as both a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. In 2024-2025 she received the American Academy of Nursing “Edge Runner” Award for the development of 14 NP-led clinics for underserved populations in three states. On February 13, 2025, Dr. Novak was awarded the National George Washington Medal for Community Service by the Founding Forward/Freedom Foundation, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. On April 26, 2025, she will be honored with the Fleet Science Center Woman in STEM Award at their “Lessons in Chemistry” Gala.
After an interim academic tour at the University of Virginia, Purdue, and the University of Texas Health System, Dr. Novak was recruited back home to San Diego to create, design, raise funds, and launch the Inaugural Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Follow-Up Program at Sharp Mary Birch. In collaboration with her Neighborhood House Association team, she developed a mobile health and wellness van delivering health and neurodevelopmental assessments and screenings for more than 4,000 Head Start enrollees and their families. Her San Diego community service includes Patrons of the Prado (Balboa Park Beneficiary Liaison, Masterpiece Midnight in Paris Chair, 2021-2022 President, and 2022-2025 Bucks4Buses Liaison). Over its 27-year history, Patrons of the Prado(POP) have raised over $6.2 million dollars to support Balboa Park Prado arts, culture, science, history, and theatre. In 2023 -2024 through Bucks4Buses (B4B), POP’s signature educational program, a record 48,140 San Diego K-12 schoolchildren were brought to Balboa Park with B4B grants to experience its treasures; 89.5% of the children came from Title 1 Schools. In 2020 and 2021, she was recognized as a Salvation Army Woman of Dedication and later chaired the annual Woman of Dedication luncheon event fundraiser in 2023 with dear friend Lynne Doyle. She currently serves as Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Membership Co-Chair with her Chi Omega sorority sister, Nancie Geller.
Dr. Novak also serves on the San Diego History Center Board of Trustees, The Wednesday Club Program Committee, The Thursday Club Service Projects and House Committees, the San Diego Police Foundation K-9 Support and Women in Blue programs, past Charity Ball committees, and Friends of Balboa Park/Forever Balboa Park fundraisers promoting the iconic 1910 Historical Carousel, Morton Bay Fig Tree Observational Deck, the Botanical Building and the significance, cultural heritage, natural beauty, and architecture of Balboa Park.
About Julie Cowan Novak
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband Dr. Robert Novak is a San Diego State and Purdue University Professor Emeritus. We have 3 sons & 3 grandchildren. Our sons continue our family legacy of service and philanthropy. Andrew, a D1 soccer player and a prosecutor for 17 years, recently completed his Master’s in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School. Chris, a D1 soccer player at SDSU, completed an HTM Masters at Purdue. He directs revenue management for multiple franchised Marriotts and Hiltons. Nick, a Maryland grad and former Charger kicker, is Head Football Coach at Maranatha HS in Del Sur. After 11 years in the NFL, he coaches all levels of kickers, punters, and special teams through Novak Kicking & Consulting.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Throughout my career as a nurse practitioner, academician, researcher, and administrator, I have been a champion for providing resources, care, and support for children, families, and communities who need it most through the development of 14 NP-led clinics in three states. In the future, I’ll return to Cape Town, SA, and Xochimilco, Mexico, to continue partnering with my grad students, local providers, and community leaders in clinic development and service.
I’ve always emphasized that working with communities is a dance, and the community always leads the dance; cultural humility is key.
Q: What words of wisdom might you share?
There’s nothing more beautiful than kindness.
The view is always better from the high road.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Ongoing philanthropy, global healthcare, and traveling with my three darling grandchildren.
Julie Cowan Novak & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Cesarina in Point Loma, Parc Bistro in Bankers Hill, and Vessel at Kona Kai on Shelter Island.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Lived and worked in SD for 27 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Dorothea “Dottie” Laub, Darlene Shiley, and the late Dr. Miriam Summ and Dr. Lou Gluck
Q: What current or former local entity or icon makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The newly restored Circa 1915 Balboa Park Botanical Building, Circa 1910 Balboa Park Menagerie Carousel (animal ride adoption and new fire suppression system project fund), 1910 Jessop Clock as the centerpiece of the developing SD History Center Core Exhibit, and the Hotel Del Coronado. Nostalgic Entity: Since 2012, Patrons of the Prado Bucks4Buses; brought nearly 400,000 K-12 SD County schoolchildren on field trips to experience the treasures of Balboa Park, many for the very first time!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Balboa Park is San Diego’s Crown Jewel. It has 18 museums, 18 gardens, 60 miles of hiking trails, and two theatres. At 1200 acres, it is the largest urban park in the US.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today who is not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where would you meet locally for this lunch?
Lunch with beautiful Dorothea Laub at one of her favorites, Georgia’s Greek Cuisine in Point Loma.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Terms of Endearment, Something’s Gotta Give. Bridget Jones Diary and The King’s Speech; (Jack Nicholson or Colin Firth drama or romantic comedies).
Q: (Even for friends or family) What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
In 1990, Joan Kroc chose my son and me to be “Citizen Ambassadors and Peace Educators” in her Mothers Embracing Nuclear Disarmament (MEND) organization. We had the opportunity to live with families in Russia and Estonia. Six months later, our Russian mother and son came to live with us in San Diego, sponsored by Mrs. Kroc as she was developing the USD Joan Kroc Institute of Peace and Justice.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My husband of 52 years, Dr. Robert Novak
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Our grandchildren, my parents, and my many mentors.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
SD History Center, Historic Balboa Park 1910 Menagerie Carousel, Salvation Army, San Diego Police Foundation Women in Blue and K-9 Programs, Patrons of the Prado Bucks 4Buses, The Wednesday Club, The Thursday Club, Point Loma Assembly, Junior League of San Diego, and Chi Omega Sorority Alumnae.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“We must always strive to be ever better. ” Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, my Harvard mentor who passed away two weeks before his 100th birthday.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Point Loma
What I love about my Neighborhood:
Walkability to Liberty Station and 5-10 minute accessibility to the beach, harbor, downtown, airport, and Balboa Park (without getting on the freeway).
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Saturday: A long walk on the beach, lobster roll from Lobster West picnic at Coronado or Del Mar Beach, and a movie at The LOT. Sunday: Church followed by brunch at Parc Bistro, BP museums, and a production at The San Diego Junior Theatre or The Old Globe at Balboa Park.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
FAMILY, FAITH, FRIENDS: HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS!
Upcoming Events!
The Longest running SD Rummage sale raising approximately $150,000 annually for grants to San Diego nonprofits/charities.
March 28, 2025 Salvation Army Women of Dedication Luncheon, Marriott Marquis, 10:30am-1:30pm
April 11, 2025 4th Annual Miriam Summ Fashion Show at Bloomingdales 1:00-3:00pm
Proceeds to Patrons of the Prado (POP) Bucks4Buses
April 22, 2025 San Diego Police Foundation Women in Blue Luncheon, Hilton SD Bay Front, 11am-1pm
April 26, 2025 “Lessons in Chemistry” Fleet Science Center Gala Honoring 2024 STEM Woman in Science
