Meet Robbie Lowery, Nurse Practitioner: 40+ Years of Expert Neurological Care

When you walk into Semmes Murphey for your first appointment, there's a good chance you'll meet a Nurse Practitioner. If you're lucky, that might be Robbie Lowery.

Robbie has been with Semmes Murphey since 1983. That's over 40 years of treating neurological conditions, watching treatments evolve, and helping thousands of patients avoid unnecessary surgery.

"So much of what we do is actually not all surgical," Robbie explains. "We'll oftentimes do therapy and other treatment modalities, maybe some nerve blocks, to see if we can help you manage your pain and your condition better."

What Does a Nurse Practitioner Do?

If you're a new patient, a Nurse Practitioner will likely be the first provider you see. Here's what happens:

First, they listen.

"We're going to talk to you first," Robbie says. Understanding your symptoms, your history, and what brought you in is the foundation of good care.

Then, they examine.

A thorough physical exam helps identify the source of your symptoms and what's causing your pain.

Next, they diagnose.

Nurse Practitioners order diagnostic imaging (MRIs, X-rays, CT scans) to see exactly what's happening in your spine or brain.

Finally, they treat.

Based on your exam and imaging results, NPs start treatment. That might be physical therapy, medications, nerve blocks, or activity modifications.

"Usually, if those methods don’t work and the exam and imaging indicate a surgical problem, the next step is to see a surgeon,” Robbie explains. "At that point, we send you to one of the surgeons in the group."

Most patients get better with conservative treatment. Surgery becomes an option only when our surgeons are confident that other approaches will not be helpful.

Semmes Murphey’s Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants work closely with neurosurgeons to evaluate patients, start treatment, and guide them through the next steps of care.

What Do NPs Specialize in at Semmes Murphey?

While Nurse Practitioners don't need special neurosurgery certification to practice, Semmes Murphey NPs develop expertise through:

• Shadowing neurosurgeons during training
• Years of experience treating neurological and spine conditions
• Ongoing education in the latest treatment approaches
• Daily collaboration with top neurosurgeons

After 40+ years, Robbie has treated just about every neurological and spine condition imaginable. That experience matters when you're sitting in the exam room, wondering if your symptoms are serious.

What Does Success Look Like?

When asked about the best outcomes she sees, Robbie's answer is straightforward:

"Our best outcome is to get you back to your normal activities as best we can. Functioning. Getting you stronger, physically."

But there's another goal just as important:

"One of our main goals is to be sure that you understand what's going on with you. That you have a good understanding of: 'Okay, this is what my scan shows, this is what my exam shows, and this is how we treat it.'"

That's the difference between being treated and being cared for.

The Bottom Line

After more than 40 years at Semmes Murphey, Robbie has seen neurosurgery evolve from a primarily surgical approach to a comprehensive one that starts with conservative care.

Nurse Practitioners are central to that approach. They provide expert diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and patient education that help people get better without surgery.

When you see a Nurse Practitioner at Semmes Murphey, you're seeing someone who:

• Has advanced clinical training and board certification
• Works collaboratively with neurosurgeons
• Focuses on conservative treatment first
• Will refer you to surgery only when truly necessary
• Wants you to understand your condition, not just follow orders

And if you see Robbie? You're getting someone who's spent four decades mastering the art of helping people heal.

Ready to schedule an appointment?

Click here to book online, or call (901) 522-7700.