Carolyn Knizer Mikanowicz, 1942-2020

Dr. Mikanowicz was a professor of health professions at Youngstown State University, from where she retired during the 2009-2010 academic year. She lived in Canfield before moving to Virginia after her retirement.

Prior to teaching, she was a registered nurse and certified registered nurse practitioner in obstetrics and gynecology in her native state of Pennsylvania, as well as a registered nurse in California and Alaska.

Dr. Mikanowicz was the daughter of the late John and Lottie Piontkowski Knizer. Born June 19, 1942, in New York City, she was raised in the Honey Pot section of Nanticoke, Pa.

She attended the Nanticoke schools before earning a nursing degree from Mercy Hospital in Wilkes-Barre. She later graduated from Mansfield State University before receiving both her master’s degree and doctorate at The Pennsylvania State University. She also received advanced training as a certified registered nurse practitioner in obstetrics and gynecology from The Ohio State University.

She retired from Youngstown State University as professor emeritus of the university’s Health Professions Department and program director of the Master’s of Health and Human Services.

At Youngstown, she authored numerous publications in the health field and was active in national health organizations. She was a member of the Publications Board of the American Public Health Association. An avid traveler, Dr. Mikanowicz often represented the university in overseas trips to Europe, Africa and Asia.

Dr. Mikanowicz was named the 1995 Health Professional of the Year by the Ohio Association of Health, Physical Education and Dance.

Survivors include her daughter, Michelle Linker; her husband, Andrew of Palmyra, Pa.; son, Todd (Sharon) Mikanowicz of Newport News; and grandchildren, Anne of Palmyra, Pa., Kyle Case of Powell, Tenn., and Stephanie Piske of Yorktown, Va.

A memorial service will be held at the family’s convenience with interment to be held in St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Cemetery in Nanticoke, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests any donations in her memory be sent to the YSU Retirees Scholarship Fund, YSU Foundation, 655 Wick Ave., Youngstown, OH 44502.

(special notice)