Heartlinks Medical Director Retires, New Medical Director Announced

For nearly a quarter of a century, John Allen, DO of Sunnyside, WA has served as the medical director for Heartlinks Hospice & Palliative Care, and on Wednesday, he announced his retirement from practicing medicine. Dr. Allen is a highly experienced doctor with over 40 years of practice in the field of medicine. Dr. Allen is a board-certified American Osteopathic Family Physician, and attended Medical school at Midwestern University, graduating in 1977. Dr. Allen completed his residency at Orlando General Hospital in Florida in 1978.

Dr. Allen will be greatly missed, as he has helped “build the Heartlinks program to provide care to over 400 patients and families last year, alone” says Debra Roe-Johnson, RN, Clinical Director for Heartlinks. “It has been my honor and privilege to work with Dr. Allen, who has always made himself available to this agency and our patients,” says Roe-Johnson.

It was March 16, 2007 when Dr. Allen retired from Lincoln Avenue Family Medicine Clinic after 15 years of service. Dr. Allen’s working life is marked by stints as an Army medic and a computer programmer, and Dr. Allen began medical school at the age of 32. Dr. Allen made the decision to pursue the medical profession during a hospital stay after he injured a toe with lawnmower.

In October of 2010, Dr. Allen was one of more than 175 family physicians who achieved the Degree of Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Criteria for the degree include a minimum of six years membership with the academy, public service outside medical practice, conducting original research and serving as a teacher in family medicine.

Dr. Allen is originally from Yakima, but had a practice and was living in Florida when he met Maureen, his life partner. It was a 30th high school class reunion that changed the course of Dr. Allen’s medical career. “I took a look around the Lower Valley and found there might be a place for me here” said Allen. His dedication to the Valley’s senior citizens has earned him several awards, including “Citizen of the Year” and Washington Osteopathic Medical Association Physician of the Year.

Heartlinks is proud to announce that the medical director position has been filled by local doctor, Derek Weaver, DO. Dr. Weaver is dedicated to promoting health and well-being of body, mind, and spirit and his goal has been to build community by developing interpersonal relationships. “Dr. Weaver brings both extensive experience with family medicine, as well as a compassionate bedside manner. He is a welcome addition to our team,” says Shelby Moore, executive director for Heartlinks.

Dr. Weaver is the owner of Weaver Family Medicine in Sunnyside, and has been board certified since 2011 by the American Board of Family Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Colorado Fort Collins in 2010 and attended Michigan State University to earn his Doctor of Osteopathy in 2007. Dr. Weaver hails from Fort Collins, Colorado and earned his Bachelor of Science Microbiology/Spanish in 2002.

As medical director, Dr. Weaver is responsible for the review and certification of patient referrals to hospice and the oversight of patients’ medical care and treatment plans. He will also provide clinical guidance to the hospice care and palliative care program and oversee the protocols for pain and symptom management. “Patient-centered care and quality service are our highest priorities,” says Roe-Johnson, and “Dr. Weaver has the qualities of the extreme dedication and respect it takes to serve this community. This is why we are really looking forward to working with him,” says Roe-Johnson.