CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A local Chillicothe medical clinic and its owner, Physician Assistant Rufus Frank Lowman Jr., have been at the center of a firestorm of controversy. The controversy began when the Guardian learned that the State Medical Board of Ohio suspended the license of the owner of Rose Medical Clinic, located at 14 Health Drive, on allegations of Lowman running an illegal pill mill.
State Medical Board Investigation
According to records obtained by the Guardian, Lowman, whose physician assistant license was issued on January 12, 2012, had his license summarily suspended by the state medical board on May 8, 2024. The suspension follows allegations that between September 2022 and March 14, 2024, he unlawfully prescribed Schedule II controlled substances to 11 patients without the required supervision or approval, contravening state regulations designed to safeguard against prescription abuse.
Schedule II drugs, as classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency, are substances with a high potential for abuse and severe dependence, making their prescription subject to stringent regulations. Authorities further allege that Lowman ran what they term an “illegal pill mill,” a facility dispensing narcotics inappropriately or for non-medical purposes.
In their suspension order, the board stated, “Lowman violated section 4730.25B2 of the ORC, and 4730.25B3 and we have further determined that your continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public.” Rufus Lowman is not a doctor, but he is able to operate as one within certain parameters and restrictions.
Who is Rufus Lowman Jr.?
Rufus Lowman Jr.. according to the bio on his website, is originally from Columbus, Indiana. He reportedly served in the US Navy and later pursued a career in healthcare. Lowman says he started as an EMT, then a Paramedic, and furthered his education with degrees in criminal justice and health studies. In 2010, he earned a master’s degree in medical science and has since practiced as a Physician Assistant in Florida and Ohio. Lowman’s LinkedIn profile lists Adena Health System (Schumaker Group), and Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health as former employers. Lowman previously lived in Lee and Gulf counties in Florida.
What is a Physician Assistant?
So, what is a Physician Assistant? According to the Ohio Association of Physician Assistants, a Physician Assistant (PA) is a member of a healthcare team who is trained, nationally certified, and state-licensed to practice medicine in collaboration with a supervising physician. PAs can see patients in a way similar to a physician. They can perform comprehensive physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and diagnose and initiate treatment. Additionally, they are trained to first assist in surgery, perform bedside procedures, and much more. In Ohio, PAs are licensed and regulated by the Ohio State Medical Board, the same as physicians.
Lowman’s medical license did give him prescriptive authority, but, according to the state medical board, Lowman was not authorized to distribute schedule II narcotics.
Former employees of Rose Medical Clinic reached out to the Guardian, sharing their personal experiences in working for the clinic, and under the supervision of Rufus Lowman, Jr.
According to the company’s website, Rose Medical Clinic, owned by Lowman’s company, RTTS Services Corporation, is a full-service Family Medicine Clinic that was established in February 2020. They go on to say on their website that “Rose Medical Clinic staff adhere to principles of Respect, Integrity, and Compassion.”
The clinic also holds a CT-chemical treatment license. A TDDD (Category 3) license is required if a clinic maintains any controlled substances on site (including patient-specific medications for administration).
Allegations of Unethical Practices
Lowman also, according to the website, offers a variety of services including addiction services. This addiction service, mixed with the alleged distribution of scheduled II controlled substances, called into question possible unethical behaviors. One family on the Guardian’s social media account alleged that Lowman and Rose Medical Clinic prescribed Xanax to their son who was in active recovery at the time. Xanax, also known as Alprazolam, is a prescription medication belonging to the benzodiazepine class, used primarily to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. The family alleges that two years ago, not long after seeing the clinic, their son died.
A former employee of the practice also reached out to the Guardian to share their personal experience. The former employee gave the Guardian a list of allegations against the clinic saying in part, “They have committed acts such as insurance fraud, HIPAA violations, unsafe work environment, etc.” The former employee says they have knowledge of an office manager allegedly using Lowman’s “tablet to send in meds that only he can send in.”
Child Abuse Allegations
The most disturbing allegations against Rufus Lowman came from those who once called the man family. Lowman faces serious accusations of sexual abuse involving a minor when a female came forward alleging abuse that began when she was just 11 years old in 2008. The alleged abuse said to have occurred over several years, both in Florida and Ohio, has been under investigation since 2015 by the Ross County Sheriff’s Office. Despite an audio recording purportedly containing Lowman’s confession to the sexual abuse being in possession of authorities, no charges were filed due to a lack of reported cooperation from the victim.
However, during our investigation into Lowman and his medical practice, the Guardian obtained the same audio recording allegedly containing Lowman’s confession to sexual abuse. Lowman can allegedly be heard on multiple occasions during the recording blaming the child, claiming she was the one who initiated the sexual encounters. In what appeared to be a case of victim shaming, the man said, “She was sexually active at the age of 7. She was jumping people’s bones back before she was bleeding.”
The audio recording reveals the encounters allegedly between Lowman and the young child in disturbing detail. A man purported to be Lowman can be heard saying, “The thing is, for the longest time it was just innocent rubbing her stomach and her back and stuff like that. That’s when she started the moaning and groaning and oh my god.”
During the alleged audio confession, Lowman reportedly admitted to going into the girl’s bedroom with the intention of abusing the child. He can be heard saying, “I lay down with her but – not initiate anything – not initiate anything more than loving.”
He is also alleged to have admitted to paying the victim to keep quiet about the abuse.
One Family Traumatized
Recently, one of Lowman’s former stepchildren reached out sharing what life was like growing up with Lowman. “I’m the oldest of four. Our brother was physically beat by him [Lowman] many times. It got to the point Rufus flipped the doorknob around, with the ruse to prevent [our brother] locking himself in, but there were times that Rufus would actually lock him there. He was manipulative and mentally abusive to all of us, but in ways that spanned the entire relationship without realizing it.” He went on to say in his message, “At various points in our lives he’s made us want to, even some of us try to commit suicide.”
What’s next?
Currently, Rose Medical Clinic is closed down. A sign that reads temporarily closed is taped to the front door of the medical clinic. According to the state of Ohio, Lowman can request a hearing to fight to get his medical license reinstated. The criminal case against him remains under investigation. Will the new revelations about Lowman lead to criminal charges here and in Florida? These are all questions that have yet to be answered. The Guardian will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.