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Get to Know Our Staff: Alex Loewen, Movement Science Lab

Get to Know Our Staff: Alex Loewen, Movement Science Lab

by | Jun 17, 2025 | Sports Medicine, Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite?
I am a bioengineer in the Movement Science Lab at Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center in Frisco. We use high-speed motion capture technology, similar to what is used in movies and video games, to record young athletes’ movements. As a bioengineer, I am responsible for ensuring the accuracy of data collected through our motion capture equipment. A significant part of my role involves developing the code that supports our analysis of the 3D motion capture data in a programming language called MATLAB.

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
There are two main aspects of my job that I find fulfilling. First, we test athletes in our lab and generate reports, which identifies movement patterns that may increase their injury risk while playing their sports. As a former athlete myself, I understand how important it is to be able to continue playing the sport you love. Second, I develop ways to streamline our data processing methods, which ultimately supports every member of our incredible Movement Science Lab team.

What makes Scottish Rite a special place to you?
The culture at Scottish Rite is what truly makes it special. By keeping our focus on the patients we treat, we are constantly reminded of why we do what we do, which fosters a strong sense of purpose and dedication throughout the team.

What made you choose a career in health care?
I have always loved sports, so I initially planned to become a sports physical therapist. However, I ended up pursuing a master’s in biomechanics, which led me to the world of motion capture. There are many different avenues you can take in motion capture, but I chose health care. It allows me to have the most immediate impact on individuals.

What is something unique you get to do in your position?
One unique aspect of my position is how it molds engineering and health care in pediatric sports medicine. I get to apply advanced technology and data analysis techniques to understand and optimize movement patterns in young athletes.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?
My favorite thing to do is spend time with my wife and 2-year-old daughter at the playground or the pool.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I play both the piano and ukulele.

Where are you from, and what brought you to DFW?
I’m originally from McKinney, Texas, and have spent my entire academic and professional career in the DFW area.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Within the U.S., my wife and I have a goal to visit every national park, so whichever one is next on our list is where I’d love to go. Internationally, I would choose Italy — partly for the scenery, but mostly because one of my love languages is pasta.

If you had to pick one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would pick my abuelita’s huevos con salsita. It is a simple meal with flour tortillas, eggs, tomatoes and onions. No one makes it quite like her.

What was the first concert you attended?
I saw Luke Combs with Lainey Wilson and Cody Johnson.

Favorite hidden DFW gem?
Cris and John. If you have never tried a ramenritto or phodilla in your life, then you are missing out!

If you were to have a movie based on your life, which actress/actor would you choose to play your character?
John Krasinski

What is some advice you would give your younger self, OR what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Something I would tell my younger self is to trust that God will open and close the right doors. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to control every outcome, but looking back, the best opportunities came when I allowed God to guide me.

How Olivia Faces Scoliosis With Resilience Through Bracing

How Olivia Faces Scoliosis With Resilience Through Bracing

by | Jun 17, 2025 | Scoliosis & Spine

Whether she is spiking a volleyball over the net or racing others in cross country, 17-year-old Olivia enjoys an active lifestyle with intensity, grit and heart. “Both sports have taught me about discipline, teamwork and pushing through challenges,” Olivia says, describing her involvement as a multisport athlete at school. She matches the strength she has shown on the court and trail to her care journey through scoliosis.

In fifth grade, Olivia’s school nurse noticed asymmetry in her spine during a routine scoliosis screening. Olivia’s spine curved in an ‘S’ shape, and her pediatrician confirmed the curve with an X-ray. To start receiving expert spinal care, Olivia and her family were referred to Scottish Rite for Children. Physician assistant Jessica Landson, P.A.-C., evaluated Olivia and diagnosed her with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). AIS is the most common type of scoliosis and is more prevalent in girls than boys.

“When I was diagnosed, I was scared and overwhelmed,” Olivia says. “However, my Scottish Rite team did not just treat my condition but took the time to explain everything and made sure I was comfortable every step of the way.”

Landson also confirmed Olivia had two spinal curves — a 24-degree thoracolumbar curve, which is where the upper and lower spine meet, and a 20-degree thoracic, or upper, spine curve. Under Landson’s recommendation, Olivia wore a scoliosis brace to prevent her curves from progressing. Scottish Rite’s Orthotics & Prosthetics department measures every child to ensure each brace is customized to fit their needs. For children who wear braces, it can be difficult to adjust to their new treatment plan.

“I really disliked having to wear a brace,” Olivia says. “Yet deep down, I knew this would set me up with a better spine in the future. Because of my care team and the brace, I was able to keep doing the sports I love.”

As Olivia prepares to begin college at Texas Tech University, she looks ahead to a brace-free, active lifestyle filled with possibility. She describes her Scottish Rite experience as a 10 out of 10. “The people at Scottish Rite are amazing,” Olivia says. “They truly want to help you and will do everything they can to make your situation better. It’s the place that gave me the confidence and strength to move forward without fear.”

Do you have a story? We want to hear it! Share your story with us.

Grace in Motion: How Kathlynn Found Her Inner Strength With Scoliosis

Grace in Motion: How Kathlynn Found Her Inner Strength With Scoliosis

by | Jun 17, 2025 | Prosthetics & Orthotics, Scoliosis & Spine

For Kathlynn, of Waxahachie, Texas, dance is not just a hobby. It is an outlet for expression that brings joy. Just days after Kathlynn’s 10th birthday, she and her family went to the pediatrician for a routine visit. The pediatrician noticed a curve in Kathlynn’s back and administered an X-ray, confirming two curves in her spine. After visiting another facility, the family began searching for resources in their area.

“My husband insisted on getting a second opinion from Scottish Rite for Children,” says Stacy, Kathlynn’s mother. “It was not because he did not believe in the diagnosis. You couldn’t deny the X-ray. However, my husband felt there had to be a place that catered to the experience of children.”

Kathlynn was evaluated by pediatric orthopedic surgeon Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., who diagnosed her with the most common type of scoliosis — adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Specifically, Kathlynn has two spinal curves — a thoracic, or upper spine, curve of 21 degrees and a lumbar, or lower spine, curve of 22 degrees. During the same appointment, Kathlynn met with orthotist Sara L. Martinson, C.P.O., who custom made a brace to address her spine curve.

“At our first visit, we had the opportunity to meet Dr. McIntosh, who acknowledged and comforted our fears,” Stacy says. “The fact that the brace is made onsite and adjustments can be done anytime is such a gift to us.”

In Kathlynn’s case, brace wear came with the fear of being taken away from her passion —dance. Dr. McIntosh and her family agreed on all-day bracing for Kathlynn, with the recommendation to wear it 20 hours a day. With this plan, Kathlynn wears her brace to sleep and only takes it off for dance. While no limitations were placed on Kathlynn’s physical activities, adjusting to a scoliosis brace can be challenging physically and mentally. For Kathlynn, it encouraged her to work harder.

“Despite the physical demands that come from practicing and performing, Kathlynn never lets scoliosis define her,” Stacy says.

While Kathlynn’s journey is not over, she continues to handle bracing with grace. “Scottish Rite has given us more than medical care,” Stacy says. “They’ve given us hope, education and a clear plan. We’re especially grateful for how the team speaks directly to Kathlynn, helping her feel seen and heard. That connection and level of trust have made a huge difference in her commitment and growth.”

Pointe Readiness: How Does a Dance Instructor Know When a Young Dancer Should Start?

Pointe Readiness: How Does a Dance Instructor Know When a Young Dancer Should Start?

by | Jun 13, 2025 | Research & Innovation, Sports Medicine

A young ballet dancer who is committed to the art will eagerly await the opportunity to join more experienced dancers en pointe. Many factors should be considered before making the transition to training in pointe shoes. Parents and instructors should take this decision seriously and guide young dancers. However, Scottish Rite for Children’s researchers suggest not all instructors are familiar with common objective tests that can be used to aid in this decision.

The Scottish Rite Movement Science team surveyed 31 ballet instructors representing 15 states and one other country. The instructors reported using the following factors to decide when a ballet dancer was ready to transition:

  • Strength (100%)
  • Dance technique (94%)
  • Age (87%)
  • Years of ballet experience (71%)

In a 2024 study, published in the Journal of Dance Medicine, lead biomechanist in the Scottish Rite for Children Movement Science Lab Ashley Erdman, B.S., M.B.A., and other researchers found that, while strength, dance technique and age were the top considerations for evaluating readiness, approximately 40% of instructors did not evaluate flexibility or movement quality prior to progressing to pointe. Overall, their knowledge of existing criteria was low.

The instructors acknowledged they were not familiar with accepted criteria, such as range of motion, endurance and balance performance thresholds. They were also not familiar with strategies or tests to assess these factors.

Performing en pointe is difficult if the dancer does not have the flexibility, strength, experience and control that are needed in an elevated position. Erdman states there are published and accepted criteria for pointe readiness that could be used and encourages parents to talk with dance instructors early in the decision-making process.

Watch this video to learn how to assess your ballerina’s strength and stability when considering a transition to pointe work.

Central Oregon Daily: Andrew’s Journey Back to the Baseball Field

Central Oregon Daily: Andrew’s Journey Back to the Baseball Field

by | Jun 12, 2025 | Hip Disorders, Press Coverage

Andrew was only 8 when Perthes disease, a rare childhood hip disorder, changed everything. One day, he was playing baseball, and the next, he couldn’t walk.

“There were days he would come home from school, and he was in so much pain he would go lay down in his bed for the rest of the day,” says Megan, Andrew’s mother. “We knew something was wrong.”

With no clear answers, the Barrs consulted multiple specialists and advocated for a perfusion MRI. Unable to get one done in their hometown, they flew from Oregon to Dallas to Scottish Rite for Children where pediatric orthopedic surgeon and Director of the Center for Excellence in Hip Harry Kim, M.D., M.S., treated Andrew.

After a successful surgery and two years of physical therapy sessions, Andrew was cleared to walk.

“It’s so amazing to see him do something that he loves again,” Megan says.

Watch his full story on Central Oregon Daily News.