FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2003
FY03-06
Lowry Joins REAC/TS as Medical Section Leader
OAK RIDGE, TENN.—Dr. Patrick C. Lowry has joined the staff of the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) at the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.
In his position as Medical Section Leader, Lowry will provide and coordinate medical services in radiation emergencies either by direct patient care or consultation; provide follow-up medical examinations on radiation accident victims, including reporting the results to the victims’ personal physicians; oversee all REAC/TS medical services; and ensure physician coverage of REAC/TS’ 24-hour emergency response.
REAC/TS provides medical response for local, national, and international accidents involving radiation. The staff are on call 24 hours a day to provide support following a radiation accident. Additionally, through various courses REAC/TS staff train physicians, nurses, health physicists, and other emergency responders in the concepts of managing medical problems associated with radiation accidents.
Lowry will be instrumental in these training courses as well. He will teach selected portions of the courses, consult with the REAC/TS director regarding the medical content of the courses, and assist in preparing educational and training materials. Additionally, he will share responsibility in the management and continued development of the Department of Energy/Food and Drug Administration investigational new drugs, including calcium DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetate), zinc DTPA, and Prussian Blue.
Dr. Lowry has served as medical advisor and consultant for several domestic and international agencies, including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Agency for International Development. He served for nine years as the Post Medical Advisor for the American Embassy in Fiji. With over 30 years of experience in medicine, Dr. Lowry has spent much of his career focused on preventive medicine and public health in developing nations around the world. He recently completed his residency in Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
“In addition to his extensive experience in medicine and public health, Dr. Lowry brings a unique perspective to REAC/TS because of his work with a number of International agencies, the U.S. Agency for International Development (now part of the U.S. State Department), and developing nations,” said REAC/TS Director Bob Ricks. “We’re thrilled to have him join the REAC/TS team.”
Dr. Lowry earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California at Los Angeles and his medical degree from Creighton University. He also holds a master’s degree in public health and completed his General Preventive Medicine residency at the University of Hawaii. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Lowry and his wife, Dr. Cynthia Lowry, are living in Oak Ridge. They have two children, Sadie and Pat.
The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is a U.S. Department of Energy institute focusing on scientific initiatives to research health risks from occupational hazards, assess environmental cleanup, respond to radiation medical emergencies, support national security and emergency preparedness, and educate the next generation of scientists. ORISE is managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities.