Athena - Electronic Medical Records System (EMR)

You will be receiving an invitation from Athena (which is our Electronic Medical Records system), to join the patient portal. This portal is where you will be able to access all of your medical data (notes, instructions, meds, vaccines). 

Dr. Lowe is able to access all clinical information in Epic/MyChart, and works to ensure all relevant medical information is abailable in both EMRs. 

Spruce App (Text Messaging App)

One of the most significant benefits to being amember of our practice is the ability to contact Linda and Dr. Lowe directly, immediately, and conveniently. We value this connection greatly. At the same time, the security of our members' private health information is of the utmost importance to us. Therefore, we use the Spruce app for all text messages. Messages on Spruce will be sent automatically to both Linda and Dr. Lowe. This is a reliable, fast, and HIPAA compliant messaging app that allows us to communicate in an expedited manner. Spruce is also end-to end encrypted which means all your messages are both secure and private. Upon joining the practice, you will receive an invitation to set up a Spruce Account. Please make sure your settings for the Spruce app are set to allow notifications. This will ensure that you don't miss an important message. The app is very user friendly. Links to download the app are at the end of this page. Please note, we do NOT accept messages through MyChart. 

Clinical Access

As in the past, both Linda and Dr. Lowe are available 24/7 to help with medical concerns. If we are with patients, you may get voicemail. Please leave a message and we will return your call ASAP. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should call 911 for evaluation. It is important that care not be delayed in these situations. You may also easily reach us via the Spruce app, since every message goes to both Linda and Dr. Lowe.

Scheduling and Administrative Concerns

Please contact the office between 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday, at 415-945-8808, or use Spruce, for all scheduling and administrative issues (ie school paperwork, medication refills, urgent and health maintenance visits, DMV parking paperwork). Please note our office is closed 12:30 - 1:30pm for lunch Monday through Friday.

Appointments & Medical Records

You can usually get a same day appointment for acute medical needs. Home visits usually require at least 24 hour's notice. Physicals might have to wait 2-5 weeks, since Dr. Lowe allows 90 minutes for a physical and lab tests are ordered in advance. During that complete physical exam, Dr. Lowe will add existing electronic chart information into Athena (our EMR) and we will discuss your medical history and identify chronic concerns that may need additional support. We will then work together to develop a plan to support your health care goals.

Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions or concerns that need to be addressed before your first visit. We are looking forward to working with you.