Dr. Jack O’Brien, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Haven Health, a Los Angeles-based primary care practice serving the LGBTQIA+ community, died on June 27, 2026. He was 36 years old.
Haven Health announced the news to patients in a social media post, describing O’Brien as a physician who had “a gift for making people feel seen.”
The company said it would pause patient-facing operations temporarily and expects to resume care on Wednesday, July 8, with physician assistant Jake Collins and medical assistant Sharla Blakely continuing to see patients.
A Career Built Around LGBTQ+ and HIV Care
O’Brien was a board-certified family medicine physician and HIV specialist who spent much of his career focused on the health needs of LGBTQIA+ patients.
He was a 2010 graduate of Binghamton University, where he studied Spanish and psychology and served as president of the school’s gymnastics club.
He went on to attend NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 2016, and completed his residency through Bayonne Medical Center’s first family medicine program in 2019.
During medical school, O’Brien led his school’s LGBT club and worked on programs to educate future doctors on HIV counseling and prevention.
While in residency in New Jersey, he founded a PrEP program at Christ Hospital in Jersey City and was later invited to deliver the keynote address for World AIDS Day in 2017.
He also worked as a scientific researcher at Gilead Sciences before moving into full-time clinical practice.
Nine months ago, O’Brien announced he was leaving his prior practice to help launch Haven Health alongside co-founders Mike Piscadlo and Matty Brownell, describing it as a healthcare company built specifically for LGBTQIA+ patients.
He took on the role of Chief Medical Officer earlier this year, a position he held until his death.
Patients and Friends Remember a Doctor Who “Made People Feel Heard”
In the hours after Haven Health shared the news, patients and friends filled the comments with tributes. Several described O’Brien as the first doctor who made them feel truly listened to and not judged, particularly around sensitive health topics.
Others recalled his warmth outside the exam room, pointing to his laughter, generosity, and willingness to help people he barely knew.
One commenter, identified as his aunt, wrote that she had always been proud of him and that the outpouring of support reflected who he truly was.
Friends and former colleagues also shared memories from personal trips and milestones, describing him as a bright and steady presence in their lives.
Haven Health said it plans to hold a celebration of life once details are finalized and is asking the community for help identifying a venue given the number of people expected to attend.
The company also said patients who were under O’Brien’s direct care will receive information next week about continuity of care and options for transferring their medical records if they choose to do so.
O’Brien is survived by family, friends, colleagues, and the patient community he spent his career serving.
