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Walter Lowe MD

Walter R. Lowe M.D.

Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery

Dr. Lowe specializes in sports medicine, focusing on the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of various knee and shoulder injuries and conditions. He holds certification from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and fulfills the role of team physician for esteemed institutions such as The University of Houston, The Houston Rockets, and numerous local high schools. Previously, serving as the head team physician for the Houston Texans from 2002 to 2022.

Dr. Lowe stands as a distinguished figure within the orthopedic domain, boasting extensive expertise and a profound understanding of the field. His educational journey includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, followed by the attainment of his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Texas. Subsequently, Dr. Lowe completed his internship at John Peter Smith Hospital and underwent residency at Tarrant County affiliated hospitals in Fort Worth, Texas. His pursuit of excellence led him to a fellowship at the renowned Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles, California, where he spent a dedicated year under the guidance of the esteemed Sports Medicine baseball surgeon, Dr. Frank Jobe.

Dr. Lowe’s approach to patient care is characterized by a compassionate demeanor and a commitment to personalized treatment plans, ensuring each patient receives comprehensive care tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. This patient-centered philosophy underscores his dedication to restoring his patients’ mobility and enhancing their overall quality of life.

Natalie Bennett

Natalie Bennett

NP-C

Natalie is a Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Lowe’s team. She has known Dr. Lowe since 1994, when she became one of his patients following several sports injuries as a high school athlete. Upon completion of her RN program in 2006, she began working as an operating room nurse. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 2011. In December 2013, she graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston with a master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She will be seeing new patients and post-operative patients in clinic, and she is excited to help our patients get back to their optimal activity level.

D. Shae Sloan

D. Shae Sloan

MMS, PA-C

Shae Sloan’s career in sports medicine was ignited by her passion for athletics. She grew up north of Houston, then attended the University of Nebraska where she was a student-athlete and graduated in 1995 with her bachelors degree in exercise science. After college, Shae went on to play professional baseball for the Colorado Silverbullets Womens Professional baseball club. After retirement from baseball, Shae attended PA school at Red Rocks College in Lakewood, Colorado and completed her masters degree through St. Francis University. Shae has been working in sports medicine since 2007.

Kristin Pacini

Kristin Pacini

MPAS, PA-C

Kristin is a native Houstonian and graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Following graduation, she attended The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston where she received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies in 2011. Kristin assists Dr. Lowe in surgery, evaluates patients in clinic and performs injections.

Katie Baxter

Katie Baxter

Licensed Athletic Trainer

Katie grew up in Chicago, Il and recently moved to Houston. She completed her undergraduate degree from North Central College in Athletic Training in 2007. She spent a year as an Intern Athletic Trainer for Northwestern University in Evanston, IL before attending graduate school at Syracuse University. She graduated from Syracuse in 2010 with a Masters of Science degree in Exercise Science. She worked in the collegiate setting as an athletic trainer for 10 years before coming to Dr. Lowe's practice. She has been a certified athletic trainer since 2007 and is licensed in Texas as of 2016.

Paula Huggins, RNFA

Paula Huggins, RNFA

Paula a Registered Nurse First Assistant, boasts more than two decades of expertise in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. Her collaboration with Dr. Lowe spans both the operating room and his office, dating back to 2004. A Houston native, she earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from San Jacinto College and furthered her education by obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Arlington.

Starlett Mueller

Starlett Mueller

Medical Assistant -

Elvie Gallegos

Elvie Gallegos

Surgery Coordinator -

Elizabeth Ordonez

Elizabeth Ordonez

Surgery Coordinator -

Nicole Blanco

Nicole Blanco

Mellisa Rannals

Mellisa Rannals

Useful Links

  • Picture of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Picture of American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
  • Picture of American College of Sports Medicine
  • Picture of The Anterior Cruciate Ligament Study Group (ACL)
  • Picture of The Herodicus Society
  • Picture of ESSKA Executive Office