CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The case of Rufus Lowman, who became embroiled in controversy following reporting by the Guardian, continues as he attempts to regain his medical license. Recent court documents, including the full investigative report from the Ohio Medical Board, have revealed new and disturbing failures in medical oversight as well as significant ethical breaches.
The former physician assistant’s license was permanently revoked by the Ohio Medical Board in September 2024 after serious allegations surfaced, including the unlawful prescription of controlled substances and additional accusations raising severe ethical and legal concerns.
Background and Allegations
Rufus Lowman’s professional decline began in May 2024, when the Ohio Medical Board suspended his license following revelations that he prescribed Schedule II controlled substances to 11 patients without adequate supervision. These substances, known for their high potential for abuse, were allegedly prescribed under conditions consistent with what the board described as an “illegal pill mill” operation at his Chillicothe clinic, Rose Medical.
The situation escalated after the Guardian launched its investigation into Lowman, uncovering allegations beyond improper prescribing. Lowman was accused of insurance fraud, violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and fostering an unsafe work environment. Perhaps most troubling were claims of sexual abuse involving a minor, with one individual alleging that the abuse began when she was only 11 years old. While these accusations have not yet resulted in formal charges, they have intensified community concerns about local medical oversight.
The Appeal and Investigation
In February 2025, Lowman filed an appeal in Ross County Common Pleas Court, contesting the medical board’s decision. He argued that his prescribing practices qualified for exemptions under certain laws pertaining to mental health and substance use treatments. Lowman’s legal team claimed the board misapplied Ohio law in reaching its decision.
However, the state medical board’s investigation outlined troubling details regarding his prescribing practices. Specific cases revealed a pattern of questionable decisions:
- Patient 1: Prescribed Percocet 5/325mg without adequate justification or follow-up care.
- Patient 2: Received repeated Oxycodone prescriptions over several months, raising concerns about prolonged, unsupervised treatment.
- Patient 3: Treated with Oxy/Acet 5/325mg for pain management without proper monitoring.
- Patient 4: Administered Percocet 5/325mg for an “isolated incident,” with insufficient documentation or oversight.
- Patient 5: Received chronic prescriptions of varying Oxy/Acet dosages for conditions such as severe psoriasis and arthritis, but without appropriate supervision.
Patients 6 through 11 were also prescribed controlled substances under Lowman’s care, reflecting the same lack of oversight and potential misuse of his prescribing authority.
Dr. Russell Lee-Wood, the supervising physician for Lowman, was reportedly responsible for providing oversight. However, the board found that his supervision was grossly inadequate, consisting of “infrequent remote consultations” rather than thorough, regular on-site reviews.
Community Impact and Response
The fallout from this case goes beyond the individuals directly involved, raising broader concerns about public trust in Chillicothe’s medical community. Advocates have emphasized the urgent need for stricter regulatory enforcement and improved auditing mechanisms to ensure proper oversight of high-risk medications like opioids.