7 minute read
The Sowti Family: Cherishing Every Moment in Life
Resident Feature by Christina Manning
Photos by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Thanks to Alpha Century Security of Newtown Square for sponsoring our Resident Feature.
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This month, we’re pleased to acquaint you with Newtown Square Family Kevin and Roschi Sowti and their three children.
Kevin was born in Iran and grew up in Dallas, Texas. He attended the University of Dallas, where he played rugby and made lifelong friends. He continued his education at New York Medical College, completing his postgraduate studies and then did his residency at Yale in Connecticut, specializing in Internal Medicine. Most recently, Kevin earned his MBA at St. Joseph’s University.
Roschi and Kevin Sowti
Roschi was also born in Iran. When she was 12 years old, her family moved to Austria. After high school, she went directly into medical school at the University of Austria Medical College. Her specialized studies focused on Allergy and Immunology, and she graduated in 1999. She moved to England for a year, to start her residency. In 2002, Roschi moved to the US, to continue her Medicine-Pediatrics residency at Yale/Bridgeport Hospital. She continued her medical education from 2002–2006 in Philadelphia, to pursue a Neonatology fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
Kevin and Roschi met in Connecticut, at a 2005 winter solstice party. They immediately had in common the fact that they were both completing their residencies. They got married in 2006, in Waterbury, CT. “We were both in scrubs,” Roschi recalled. “Kevin was on his lunch break and I drove from Philadelphia to the City Hall in Connecticut, to get our marriage certificate.” Getting away for their honeymoon required some logistical planning: Because Roschi was doing her fellowship in Philadelphia and Kevin was in Connecticut for his residency, they met in the Houston Airport, where they could board the flight to Mexico together and start their much-needed time off and quality time together.
Now meet the three Sowti children: Jasmin, a creative and hardworking 13-year-old, will soon start 8th grade at Paxon Hollow Middle School. She enjoys performing in the Marple Newtown Performing Arts Musicals, as well as singing in both choir and select choir. “Jasmin is a wonderful writer and editor,” Roschi said. “She created a two-season show with family members as the actors!” Jasmin, along with her two younger siblings, has also produced a contribution to the Nocturnist Podcast, which captures the voices of people working in healthcare. Since the pandemic started, the topics have shifted. “I wanted my children to be a voice of hope,” explained Roschi, “and bring their positive attitudes to the situation.”
The Sowti children (L-R): Jasmin, Darius and Ella
Ella, an enthusiastic 9-year-old, will soon start 4th grade at Culbertson Elementary School. Like her older sister, Ella enjoys dancing, singing, acting and playing the piano. She loves taking care of and spending time with the family cats, Fluffy and Felicia. Ella also acted in Jasmin’s show and contributed to the Nocturnist Podcast.
Darius will soon start 3rd grade at Culbertson. He’s a fun-loving 7-year-old with a great sense of humor and loves playing with his Legos.
Since late 2007, Dr. Kevin Sowti has worked at Chester County Hospital. He helped build the hospitalist program, a specialty dedicated to care for patients who are admitted through the hospital. Kevin serves as the Medical Director of the Hospital Medicine group and also serves as the Chief of Staff. “I wear many hats at the hospital, splitting my time between taking care of my patients and my administrative duties,” explained Kevin. “Working at Chester County Hospital, alongside my amazing partners, has been a great privilege. We all treat each other and our patients like family,” he added. Recently, he has been inspired to change how medical care is delivered, in the hope of reducing suffering. “I feel my calling is to improve the people around me, and my vocation as a physician is where I can make a difference and reduce inequalities.”
Dr. Roschi Sowti is currently an Attending Neonatologist at Temple University Hospital and St. Christopher’s Hospital. She also teaches medical students, Pediatric Residents, Neonatal Fellows and physician assistant students as an Assistant Professor at Drexel College of Medicine. Her choice to specialize in Neonatal medicine was her first job after her fellowship, and it has proven to be a perfect match. “Helping babies take their first breath and being a witness to the birth of a new human is truly a privilege,” explained Roschi. She hopes to implement a new approach to the treatment of newborns suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, which affects babies whose mothers used opioids during pregnancy.
The Sowti Family (L-R): Ella, Roschi, Kevin, Jasmin and Darius
The Sowti Family found their long-time home in Newtown Square in October 2010. “Driving past Newtown Square, I always felt a sense of pull,” Kevin said, “I even told my wife early on that this is where I want to live.” They fell so in love with Newtown Square and the community around them that they moved Kevin’s parents here from Texas. “Without my parents helping us with our kids,” Kevin explained, “we wouldn’t be able to balance work and life. It’s so nice to have family close by and we are extremely grateful for them.” Kevin and Roschi have also received amazing support from their neighbors. “Our next-door neighbors really helped us out the past few months when we had to work and didn’t have childcare.” In return, Kevin and Roschi offer their medical advice, which can occasionally include something like checking a neighbor child’s throat or ears to confirm a possible infection.
Roschi volunteers as a homeroom mom at Culberston, and enjoys running on the Goshen Trail, alongside Ridley Creek or even just around their neighborhood. In Kevin’s spare time, he enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles, working out at the gym and relaxing in his mancave in their basement.
The Sowti Family at their home in Newtown Square
Every year, the Sowti Family travels to Vienna, Austria, to visit Rochi’s family and the historic sites. Unfortunately, this year, their trip was cancelled. Kevin and Roschi have used that time to stay focused on helping their patients. "We always try to think of our glass as half full, have a positive attitude, work hard and have fun,” said Kevin and Roschi. “Life is too short to sweat the small things."
The Sowti Family would like to share this special message to the community:
Do you know a Newtown Square Family or Resident in service to our community?
Tell us who readers of our magazine might like to meet in an upcoming issue. Make your nominations for upcoming magazine features about Newtown Square residents, youth, seniors or nonprofit groups. Email your suggestions to Christina Manning at CManning@BestVersionMedia.com.
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