Name:
James Frederick Allen 
Location served:
Chatham  
Years in Practice:
1986 to 2004
Area of Specialization:
Orthopedics  

Biography:

Dr.  James “Jim” Frederick Allen was born on the 18th of July, 1952 in Hamilton, Ontario.  Dr. Allen was the son of Dr. H. Hugh Allen and the former Patricia Furlong. Dr. Hugh Allen grew up on a farm in Dover Township (Chatham-Kent) that remains in the Allen family today.   Dr. Jim Allen had an older brother named Dr. Larry Allen and 3 younger sisters; Johanne (Allen) Schoch, Kathy Allen and Dr. Susan Allen. Dr. Hugh Allen specialized in Obstetrics and Gynecology and retired in 2011 after practicing for more than 60 years, primarily in the London, Ontario area.

Dr. Jim Allen was educated in London and attended Westminster Secondary School.  Dr. Allen, attended the University of Western Ontario where he was an outstanding student and linebacker for the Western Mustangs.  Dr. Allen played on the Mustangs Football Team  from 1971 until 1973.   In 1971, the team won the College National Championship.  Dr. Allen graduated B.Sc. from the University of Western Ontario in 1973.  He went on to study medicine at The Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland.  Dr. Allen graduated L.R.C.P.S.I., M.B., B.Ch. and B.A.O. in 1981, then he returned to London, Ontario where he interned at Victoria Hospital until 1982.  Dr. Allen then pursued his orthopedic residency at Victoria Hospital from 1982 until 1986 and his Fellowship Royal College of Surgeons Canada, F.R.C.S. from 1986 until 1987.

In late 1987, Dr. Allen set up his orthopedic practice on Lowe Street in Chatham.  The practice moved to the Grand Avenue Medical Building in 1988.

Dr. Allen was introduced to his wife, Jennifer (Zeebregts) Allen by mutual friends in 1978.  She is the daughter of Jan and Trudy Zeebregts.  Jennifer has an older brother named Glenn.  Dr. and Mrs. Allen were married on the 13th of May, 1989 in a quiet ceremony at the London home of Dr. Allen’s parents.   Jennifer Allen became a Respiratory Therapist in 1984 and she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chatham.

Dr. and Mrs. Allen have 3 children, Baillie Sinead Allen, James Hilliard “Hill” Allen and Abbigail Katrina Marie Allen.  In 1998, Mrs. Allen founded the Montessori School in Chatham called “The Place To Grow”.  She is currently the Administrator for the school.

Dr. Allen was the only Orthopedic Surgeon in Chatham for a period of 10 years.  He was the Chief of Orthopedics at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Public General and the St. Joseph Campus’ from 1986 until 2004.  He was the Chief of Surgery at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Public General and St. Joseph Campus’ from April 2001 until 2004.

Dr. Allen enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time with his family.

Tragically, Dr. Jim Allen died in a plane crash on the 17th of January, 2004.  All 3 of his children are proudly carrying on the legacy of their father and grandfather.  Baillie, Hill and Abby attended Medical School in Dublin, Ireland and are pursuing careers in medicine.