MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Freed
561-297-3022, lfreed@fau.edu
FAU College of Nursing Professor Honors Native American Caregivers
BOCA RATON, FL (June 8, 2006) – Dr. John Lowe, associate professor in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University, is currently one of only 13 national Alaskan/Native American nurses to hold a doctoral degree. He recently attended a conference for “The Caregiver Initiative” in Washington, D.C., after being invited by the U.S. Surgeon General. “The Caregiver Initiative” is a national campaign sponsored by Johnson & Johnson that targets about 46 million Americans who care for an adult family member or friend. Nancy Lewin, director of the campaign, helped obtain funding from Johnson & Johnson as a contribution to Lowe’s scholarly project which explores nursing among the Native American culture.
Deputy Surgeon General Kenneth P. Moritsugu and former First Lady Roslyn Carter spoke at the conference where Lowe had the opportunity to share his work concerning Native Americans. He was asked to publish his work for the new program on the organization’s Web site, www.strengthforcaring.com, which focuses on honoring Native American caregivers, caring for elders, Native American nursing values and partnerships between family member caregivers. Lowe developed an optional program for registered nurses who are students at FAU working toward a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing. Those students have the opportunity to attend a unique experience at the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma through the course “Practicum in Integrative Nursing.”
Lowe grew up in a Cherokee farming community in the southeast, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. “Through traditional Native American community values, caregiving can be seen as a journey toward wisdom that provides an opportunity to develop a deep and trusting connection to our elders, and the honor of learning about life through the strengths and experiences of our ancestors,” said Lowe.
To view the entire article on Native American caregiving for “The Caregiver Initiative” campaign, visit www.strengthforcaring.com/manual/16/194/honoring-native-american-caregivers.html. For questions concerning this project, contact Anita Beckerman at 561-704-2315.
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