John Lowe

PhD, RN, FAAN (Past Chair) , Doctoral (Alumni)

Program Director 
Joseph Blades Centennial Memorial Professor
The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing

Founding Director: Center for Indigenous Nursing Research for Health Equity (INRHE) 
Florida State University 
Tallahassee, FL

Dr. John Lowe's contributions to the profession are heavily based in his research program, which has evolved from his doctoral dissertation, "Cherokee Self-Reliance", which investigated cultural values that contribute to the Cherokee Nation's health and well-being, particularly in regards to the substance use and abuse. He has developed and published "A Cherokee Nation's Prevention and Therapeutic Management Self-Reliance Model," that was conceptualized during his dissertation work. The dissertation and his doctoral studies were supported by the EMFP. Dr. Lowe has continued to focus on research that was initially developed during his fellowship years, and he has been successful in attaining funding for several of his research initiatives. Examples of funded studies that have evolved from his dissertation include:

  • "The Teen Intervention Project - Cherokee (TIP-C)", is an intervention study that utilizes a combined student assistance program and the Cherokee Self-Reliance Model. The interventions are specifically designed for Cherokee Nation teen substance abuse prevention, and are conducted within Cherokee Nation Schools. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Minority Supplemental Grant to R01 AA10246-05S1 funds this study.

  • "The Teen Intervention /Prevention Project- Cherokee (TIPP-C)", in a research investigation being conducted at schools within the Cherokee Nation. It is designed to examine the relationship between self-reliance and HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among Cherokee adolescents. The Association of Nurses in AIDS CARE (ANAC) funds this study.

  • "Nursing and the Native American Culture" is ongoing and being conducted with other doctorally prepared Native American Indian nurses. Its purpose is to examine the phenomenon of nursing in the Native American Indian culture. A conceptual framework and models of Nursing in the Native American Culture are evolving and being fine-tuned. This initiative is funded by a grant from Johnson and Johnson Co.

Dr. Lowe is a prolific writer, and has published his research and scholarship in numerous refereed journals. These refereed publications are available on the Internet through PubMed and Medline. Additionally, he writes for local groups and community based organizations that center on mental health issues in Native American Indian populations.

Dr. Lowe shares his knowledge and wisdom with other professionals, community groups, and academic and health related organizations. His commitment to service is self-evident: American Nurses Association's Ethnic Minority Fellowship Program National Advisory Committee; American Nurses Foundation research grant reviewer; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant reviewer; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Special Project of National Significance expert adviser; Cherokee Nation Healthy Nations consultant; Florida Nurses Association Board of Directors; Florida Nurses Foundation Board of Trustees; Alumni, Tribal Institutional Review Board of Southern California; National Native American AIDS Prevention Technical Support Center Advisory Board Member, and others.

Dr. Lowe is one of the few Native American Indian male nurses who have attained a doctoral degree, and the EMFP assisted him in all aspects of his journey.

Contributions to Science

Publications