DaVita’s chief medical officer McAllister retires

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— DaVita’s chief medical officer Charles McAllister, MD, retired April 1, according to the dialysis provider.

McAllister became DaVita’s CMO in 2000 and stepped down in July 2007. He has since served as CMO emeritus in the Office of the CMO.

"Charlie has provided 30 years of incredible service to kidney care patients and the broader kidney care community, as a practicing nephrologist, as a hospital chief of staff and as DaVita's chief medical officer," said DaVita CEO Kent Thiry. "The combination of his energy, his intellect, his sense of humor and his warm bedside manner is amazing."

Before joining DaVita, McAllister was vice president of medical affairs for Gambro and Vivra, respectively. He also spent more than 20 years as medical director of dialysis facilities in and around the Tampa Bay, Fla.

"Of my major accomplishments, I'm especially proud of being given the honor to work with many colleagues, nurses, dieticians and others—I was able to learn from them all," McAllister said in a statement. "As I retire from my executive career, I plan on working in the not-for-profit sector with the disadvantaged and underserved. I'm actually looking forward to putting back on my white coat and stethoscope."

McAllister has accepted a part-time position as medical director with BayAreaTreatmentCenter in Pinellas Park, Fla., where he will work with individuals suffering from substance dependence, according to DaVita.

The Office of the CMO replaced the position of DaVita CMO on July 1, 2007. Membership comprises John Robertson, MD, David Van Wyck, MD and Robert Provenzano, MD. In addition, Allen Nissenson, MD serves as special advisor to the Office of the CMO.