4 minute read
Excellent Patient Care Is at the Heart: Vista Healthcare’s Neurology Clinic Welcomes Dr. Shawn Allen
By Alexa Morgan, St. George News
When you’re facing a potentially serious neurological diagnosis, experience and expertise matter.
Advertisement
As part of its expanding specialty care platform, Vista Healthcare offers worldclass neurology services to southern Utah patients living with a broad spectrum of neurological disorders. The newest member of the neurology team is Dr. Shawn Allen, who began accepting patients in early August.
“Being a patient can bring uncertainty, and having a health care team that individualizes patient care with expert evaluation, strong communication, and appropriate follow-up makes a difference,” Allen said. “Excellent patient care is at the heart of what we’re trying to accomplish at Vista Neurology.”
Allen attended medical school at St. George’s University in Grenada. Shortly after moving to the Caribbean, his daughter started having seizures. The excellent care she received from a neurologist changed her outcome and inspired Allen to start pursuing neurology as a career path.
After graduating from medical school, Allen completed a yearlong internship at the University of Arizona College of Medicine– Phoenix followed by residency training in adult neurology at the University of Wisconsin. He developed a passion for learning about neuromuscular conditions early in his training, which led him to complete a fellowship in neuromuscular medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.
As part of Vista Healthcare Neurology, Allen will evaluate and address general neurologic conditions, including headache, stroke, neuropathy, seizures, tremor (including Parkinson’s disease), and dementia. Beyond general neurology, his specialized training allows him to treat such conditions as myasthenia gravis, ALS, and muscular dystrophy along with performing EMG and nerve conduction studies to help diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy, radiculopathy, and muscle disease.
Southern Utah’s desert climate and surrounding red rock landscapes feel like home for Allen, who grew up in Mesa, Arizona. Several of his relatives settled in the St. George area while he was away for medical school and residency training.
Outside of practicing medicine, Allen loves spending time outdoors with his kids and coaching youth sports. He also enjoys hiking, camping, golf, mountain biking, and watersports, which makes southern Utah the perfect playground.
“This all made the decision to move here an easy one, and I’m convinced it will be a great fit for our family,” he said.
Over the past ten years, Allen and his family have lived on a Caribbean island, the East Coast, the West Coast, and in the Midwest. They’ve enjoyed exploring diverse environments together, but he said the time has come to put down roots and raise their kids with a lasting sense of community.
Allen said he was drawn to Vista Healthcare because of the individuals who work there. The highly motivated, productive and innovative providers and clinic staff were apparent from the start.
“After seeing many different health care systems in the last ten years, including the strengths from each environment, it was obvious Vista has a great team with efficient systems in place,” he added. “I’m looking forward to watching the clinic continue to grow.”
Vista Healthcare offers an exciting new view on medical care in southern Utah. Along with neurology, available specialties include endocrinology, rheumatology, pain management, spine care, physical therapy, chiropractic care, primary care, and sports medicine. Services are located in the Vista Medical Center located at 2891 East Mall Drive in St. George, Utah.
Vista Healthcare recognizes the needs of the growing community and understands that many patients currently face extended wait times to see specialists to help manage their medical care. The group seeks to provide improved access to specialty care resources for patients across southern Utah and surrounding areas. Give Vista Healthcare a call today at 435-215-0257 or visit their website at www.vista-hc.com.
About the Author
Alexa Morgan works as a reporter for St. George News/STGnews.com and has more than a decade of experience in news and magazine writing. She is committed to keeping the community informed with journalism of the highest quality standard. Originally from Southern California, she now proudly makes her home beneath the big red mountain in Ivins.