First Posted: 9/18/2014

SOUTHERN PINES — Dr. Lee R. Lowery found just the medical practice he had hoped to join in the Southern Pines Women’s Health Center, a FirstHealth clinic.

First was the location — close enough to his hometown of Pembroke to be familiar and for frequent visits. Then there were his new physician-colleagues and the “a good fit” he expects to be. Finally, there was the opportunity to practice the type of medicine he has wanted to do since high school.

“It’s a good mix of clinic setting and surgery,” he says.

Lowery’s practice will include patients at the Southern Pines Women’s Health Center location in Turnberry Woods as well as at satellite clinics in Rockingham and Raeford.

“Dr. Lowery shares the same patient-centered philosophy that has fostered our practice’s continued expansion,” said Dr. John Byron of Southern Pines Women’s Health Center. “His association with SPWHC will allow us to expand further in Hoke and Richmond counties, providing our extensive array of OB-GYN preventive and treatment expertise to women of all ages .”

“We know Dr. Lowery will be a great addition to the Southern Pines Women’s Health Center practice,” said Dr. Dan R. Barnes, president of the FirstHealth Physician Group. “He is a talented and well-trained physician whose honors include his recognition with the East Carolina University OB-GYN Resident Teaching Award. He is also familiar with the community, having been raised in nearby Robeson County. This seems to be a good match in every way.”

Lowery graduated from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with highest honors and a degree in biology with a biomedical emphasis. He attended the University of North Carolina School of Medicine on a Board of Governors medical scholarship, earning his medical degree in 2010.

He completed his OB-GYN residency at Vidant Medical Center of the East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine in Greenville earlier this year. He is board-eligible.

Lowery attributes his interest in women’s medicine to the fact that he was raised to respect women and to be concerned about their well-being. An OB-GYN specialist will likely see a patient through one or more pregnancies, he said, providing the opportunity to get to know the patient well and to assist her with various medical needs throughout the years.

“Most women are going to have a physician, and often that’s an OB-GYN,” he said. “You have the opportunity to better their health by seeing them when they’re in these different life stages. And, by improving the health of women, you positively affect the health of the entire family.”

Southern Pines Women’s Health Center, a FirstHealth clinic, is located at 145 Applecross Road, Turnberry Woods, in Southern Pines. Satellite clinic hours are also available for patients in Richmond and Hoke counties. To make an appointment with Lowery at any of these locations, call 910-684-1581.