He’s the new kid on the block despite being on the job for more than 24 years.

Dr. Bill Wien is now working alongside Dr. Donald McCabe at Freeland Family Medical Center. Wien began seeing patients this week, and eventually will take over the practice when McCabe retires.

“Dr. McCabe is in his early 80s. I think he is entitled to it,” Wien said.

Wien, a graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, worked for the past five years for the Evergreen Medical Group in Bothell before he decided to make the move to Whidbey Island.

Love brought him here. Wien’s fiancé was a registered nurse at Naval Hospital Oak Harbor.

“It was largely through her that I got to know Whidbey and fell in love with it,” he said. “I still live in Bothell but, ultimately, we will relocate.”

When he scoped out the island, though, he quickly decided the South End was his side of Whidbey.

“My favorite places on the island tend to range between Langley and Coupeville,” he said. “It’s much less urbanized or spoiled.”

Wien said he welcomes all ages at his office, from newborn to 100. But he said he really loves working with children and said there are not many family physicians on the South End.

“I view it as underserved,” Wien said.

As a general physician, he will seek privileges at Whidbey General Hospital, but Wien said his experience on the mainland will help him connect patients with great specialists on the other side as well.

Wien said he focuses on teaching his patients preventative care.

“Knowledge is power,” he said.

He also strongly understands that patients need a doctor they can trust.

“Today’s medical system is so specialized and sub-specialized that patients need a strong advocate to guide them,” Wien explained.

He went to medical school on an Air Force scholarship and served four years on active duty as a physician at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Wien said he accepts all major insurance plans and Tricare. The office is located on Main Street in Freeland across from Radio Shack.

For information or to make an appointment, call 331-4424.