<p>Dr. Gerald Weaver, general surgeon, has joined Ocean Beach Hospital after extensive experience in Worland, Wyo.</p><p></p>

ILWACO Dr. Gerald Weaver is known as a highly experienced surgeon with a variety of skills. All who work with him use words such as, Personable, friendly, upbeat and very approachable, when describing him.

After serving as chief of medical staff for Washakie Medical Center for the past three years, and after 13 years of practice as a physician and surgeon in Wyoming, Weaver arrived at Ocean Beach Hospital last week. He happily discusses the many draws to the Pacific Northwest. He is especially drawn to rural, small-town medicine because of the ability to get to know his patients better. His wife, Shelly, is an English teacher as well as an artist who looks forward to the rich and varied Peninsula arts community. In addition, Weavers undergraduate work was at Walla Walla University, and his parents still live in that area. He has three children attending universities on the eastern side of Washington, and looks forward to the close proximity of all of his family members.

Weaver brings a wealth of experience and skills to our small community. He is particularly interested in laparoscopic and vascular surgeries, and emphasizes that he is most passionate about interacting with patients: interpersonal communication, learning about each and every individual and how he can help are the things that keep his fires burning. Weaver is also moving from an individual practice to a group, at Ocean Beach Medical Clinic, and looks forward to the camaraderie. He states feeling great partnership and collaboration already, noting these elements as conducive to quality patient care.

When Dr. Weaver is not contributing passionately to patient care at Ocean Beach Hospital you might find him spending precious time with his family, or working on classic old cars the most recent of which is an old Chevy convertible. Weaver says he is regrettably missing this years annual Rod Run but has definite plans to attend next years. Right now he is busy transitioning over the next couple of months out of his medical practice in Wyoming, with the anticipation of caring for patients at Ocean Beach Hospital full time by November of this year.

We are so excited by Dr. Weavers arrival, states Stephanie Ellsworth, Ocean Beach Medical Clinic director. Ive had the benefit of serving with Dr. Weaver in a professional capacity when I lived and worked in Wyoming. His patients there love him, as do the hospital and clinic staff. Hes very pleasant to work with. All of his patient interactions demonstrate that he is a highly skilled surgeon, who places patient care and helping others at the center of everything he does.