Due to unforeseen circumstances, Dr. Lowe's scheduled visit on Tuesday, Sept. 30, has been rescheduled for a later date. Details will be announced in the near future.
John Lowe, RN, PhD, FAAN, a trailblazing Cherokee and Lenape tribal member whose pioneering research has transformed mental health care for Native American youth across three continents, will visit the CU Anschutz Medical Campus September 30 to share his internationally acclaimed work with Colorado's future nurses.
The University of Texas at Austin professor has developed the first manualized Talking Circle intervention—a community-based approach that reduces substance use and mental health risks among Native American youth and young adults globally. His research represents a revolutionary shift toward Native-centered healing practices that honor traditional ways while addressing contemporary health challenges. He also co-authored the Conceptual Framework for Nursing in Native American Culture, highlighting the interwoven nature of nursing within Native American traditions.
Dr. Lowe was the first Native American male nurse inducted as a Fellow to the American Academy of Nursing, and his work has earned recognition worldwide through numerous awards and presentations across the globe. As the Joseph Blades Centennial Memorial Professor and Director of the Indigenous Nursing Research Enhancement Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program, he continues to bridge ancient wisdom with modern healthcare.
“We are honored to have Dr. Lowe visit our campus to share his invaluable knowledge on providing care for rural communities and Native Americans,” says Dr. Elias Provencio-Vasquez, dean of the University of Colorado College of Nursing. “His research advocates for holistic, patient-centered care that honors the cultural and historical backgrounds of the communities they serve."
Dr. Lowe will meet with faculty leaders and students across campus. He will also present virtually to the faculty and first cohort of CU Nursing students at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, a program designed to train nurses in the Four Corners region to provide culturally sensitive care.
“We would like to highlight Dr. Lowe’s international contributions focused on the creation of collaborative partnerships that center on the inclusion of indigenous populations,” says Dr. Teri Hernandez, professor and associate dean for Research and Scholarship at the University of Colorado College of Nursing at Anschutz Medical Campus.
The Four Corners region is home to many Native American tribes. The BS in Nursing program at Fort Lewis College is open to all Fort Lewis College students and recent alumni to encourage the education of nurses who will train and stay in the Four Corners region. The program focuses on improving access to care.
“As one of about 20 PhD-prepared Native American nurses in the U.S., Dr. Lowe will serve as an inspiration to our inaugural cohort as they begin their journey in nursing education,” says Dr. Amy Barton, Professor, senior associate dean for Faculty and Students, and Endowed Chair in Rural Health Nursing at the University of Colorado College of Nursing at Anschutz Medical Campus.
Students in the program at Fort Lewis College will complete clinic rotations at hospitals and health clinics in Southwest Colorado and nearby New Mexico to provide exposure to the variety of job opportunities in the area and build the professional nursing workforce.
As an elected member of the American Academy of Nursing Board of Directors, Dr. Lowe continues to advocate for Native American perspectives in healthcare policy and practice. Mark your calendars for his presentation.
