Lowder-Tibbs Taking on Role at New Clinic in Rural Retreat

Family Nurse Practitioner Crystal Lowder-Tibbs will be providing care at Wythe Physician Practices' new clinic opening June 2 in Rural Retreat. 

By Zach Cooley

On June 2, Wythe Physician Practices will open a new clinic at 306 South Main Street in Rural Retreat.

Its sole provider, Wythe County native Crystal Lowder-Tibbs, has worked as a nurse practitioner in the area for the past five years.

She will move her medical assistant and staff with her to the new building, where she will continue to practice family medicine.

"I see everyone from pediatrics to geriatrics and everything in between,” stated the 1997 graduate of Rural Retreat High School. "As the practice grows, we hope to add more providers as we need them.”

Having just received her autonomous license a few months ago, she remains under the supervision of Dr. Chase King.

"He is very knowledgeable as a teacher and has been excellent in helping train new hires,” Lowder-Tibbs commented. "He does a great job.”

The Oklahoma-born healthcare provider moved to Wythe County when she was in middle school. Her passion for nursing began when she first took classes at the Wythe County Vocational School, now the Wythe County Technology Center, under the instruction of Nancy Beam, her first of several mentors throughout her career.

As a result, Lowder-Tibbs became a certified nurse’s assistant as a high school senior. She also took practical nursing classes at the Smyth County Vocational School under the guidance of another lifelong mentor, Gail Vipperman.

After graduating from Wytheville Community College as a registered nurse, Lowder-Tibbs completed her Bachelor of Nursing at Liberty University before obtaining her nurse practitioner’s license from Walden University in Minnesota via distance learning. She became a nurse practitioner when the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing.

"There was no remote working for me,” she recalled. "I was busy seeing shut-in patients in their homes and businesses.”

Through an old-fashioned sort of "house call”-type practice, Lowder-Tibbs said she could connect with patients in a deeper way by providing them care in their homes.

"I learned so much about concierge medicine,” she recalled. "I met a lot of good people in that environment.”

Having grown up and trained in this community, Lowder-Tibbs notes the many changes in the area in terms of medicine. As the sole provider in this new clinic, she feels as though her career has come full circle.

"There have been so many people who have supported me throughout my career,” she reflected with gratitude. "Now, those people are returning to me as patients.”

With that in mind, Lowder-Tibbs stated that her primary goal in this new position is to bring quality medical care back home to the people she knows and loves.

"I want to continue to provide excellent patient care to the Town of Rural Retreat, the Wythe County community, and beyond,” she stated. "I want to give back to the community that has given so much to me.”

Though practicing in her own building is a lateral upgrade for her, Lowder-Tibbs remains cautious of any alteration in her career.

"Sometimes, change can be good, and sometimes not,” she noted with apprehension. "You just never know.”

Still, she is confident that the move will be a benefit to her and the community.

"I am coming to a great location with an excellent staff,” Lowder-Tibbs commented. "We will have everything we need, and I’m blessed to have a great deal of patients who plan to follow me to Rural Retreat.”

As a former nursing instructor, she is pleased to see her former students bring their children to her as patients.

"It’s very rewarding to see the next generation coming up and trusting you with the care of their loved ones,” Lowder-Tibbs remarked graciously. "There is no greater compliment than being entrusted with the medical care of someone’s children or loved ones.”

Though she has no plans to pursue a doctorate at this time, Lowder-Tibbs has not ruled it out altogether.

"I never say never,” she said in closing. "I believe continuing education is very important, and I try to attend at least a couple of conferences every year with my fellow nurse practitioners and like-minded people.”