Serenity Vista was founded on a vision: to create a private, highly individualized retreat where people could step away from daily pressures, reconnect with themselves, and pursue meaningful change. Inspired by a personal journey of recovery and a belief in the possibility of renewal, Serenity Vista welcomes adults seeking addiction recovery, emotional healing, personal growth, or a new direction in life. This page shares the personal journey, professional experience, and passion that inspired the creation of Serenity Vista in Boquete, Panama.
John Derry, B.Sc.Phm., M.A., is the Founding Director of Serenity Vista. He has an impressive track record of success throughout an extensive professional career spanning pharmacy, addiction, and management leadership.
John is a licensed Canadian pharmacist and holds a Master of Arts degree in Addiction Counseling from the world-leading Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies.
Throughout his career, John has worked at the intersection of science, healthcare, leadership, and recovery. His professional experiences, graduate studies, and personal journey of recovery fostered a growing understanding that lasting change involves far more than simply stopping the use of alcohol or other drugs. Recovery can become an opportunity for renewal, self-discovery, personal growth, and the creation of a more meaningful and purposeful life. This perspective continues to shape Serenity Vista's philosophy, emphasizing dignity, compassion, personal responsibility, and the belief that meaningful change is possible for every individual seeking recovery.
John’s passion in life is to help others experience the joy of living, discover greater meaning, and realize their fullest potential. He is a devoted father and husband who strives to live according to his values and continues to explore spirituality and personal growth.
The establishment of Serenity Vista reflects this passion and life journey. Originally from Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, John built a successful career as a clinical pharmacist, holding leadership roles in major Canadian teaching hospitals and working in research and development for a leading pharmaceutical company.
Through his personal journey of recovery, John discovered a renewed passion for life and chose to leave his successful pharmaceutical career to share the gift of recovery with others.
Leaving behind a secure and rewarding career, including salary, bonuses, stock options, and an expense account, to return to university as a student and begin a new career in addiction counseling was a significant leap of faith. Since then, change has become a constant companion. John remains guided by faith and values, open to possibilities, and mindful of the importance of letting go.
One such huge shift occurred when John and his wife Jane let go of their Canadian home and possessions and sailed to Panama. Their calling was to find a retreat setting that would be attractive for people to want to get away to for healing and renewal. Opening up to possibilities worldwide, Panama called, and John and Jane answered.
Sailing to Panama in 2012 was an amazing journey, and speaks to John’s passion to do whatever it takes to follow his calling. They trucked their 36-foot Beneteau sailboat, Decision (named with the 3rd step of Alcoholics Anonymous in mind: “Made a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God”) to San Diego where they set sail for Panama. Just as with life, there were beautiful, calm and relaxing days, and there were storms, a few of which were tremendous, beyond scary. John describes being in a storm:
“The conditions were sustained and wild. The focus was on doing what was needed to sail the boat. But there was no fear, just complete acceptance, doing our best, letting go of the outcome, being completely ok with either getting through the storm safely, alive, or drowning at sea. Just complete acceptance, an intense outward focus with a deep inner peace.”
Even a lightning strike that damaged all electrical systems failed to deter John & Jane. Decision has long since been repaired and continues to be a source of pleasure and serenity as they sail the quiet, calm, tropical waters of the beautiful Pacific not far from Serenity Vista.
The tremendous impact of the sailing voyage on Decision to Panama was captured in the creation of Serenity Vista’s logo. The sailing vessel, Decision, is stylishly depicted as a representation of heading into uncharted waters on a fearless journey into a new life of recovery. A sailing metaphor reminds John that “you can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails!”
John’s vision continues to unfold. John and his wife Jane share in the role modeling of healthy relationships in recovery and in the leadership of Serenity Vista.
Since opening in 2012, Serenity Vista has welcomed guests from across North America and around the world seeking a private, highly individualized approach to recovery and personal well-being. Founded on an abstinence-based addiction recovery program informed by the Minnesota Model and the spiritual principles of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Serenity Vista combines evidence-based approaches with holistic practices that support the well-being of body, mind, and spirit.
Over the years, we have come to recognize that the benefits of this individualized environment extend beyond addiction recovery. People facing grief, loss, relationship or career changes, past trauma, or other life challenges may also benefit from stepping away from everyday pressures to reflect, reconnect with themselves, and explore new possibilities. Serenity Vista now welcomes adults seeking personal renewal, emotional healing, self-discovery, greater meaning, or a new direction in life.
The underlying philosophy remains the same: meaningful change becomes possible when people have the space, support, and individual attention to understand themselves more deeply and consider how they want to live.
The development of Serenity Vista draws on decades of clinical experience in Canadian healthcare, professional work in addiction services, and John's own personal journey of recovery.
Guests not only get help with staying sober, but experience the freedom of recovery with peace of mind and heart. John’s hope is that each guest experiences hope, inner peace, and finds a new freedom and passion for life.
As Director, John provides overall case management leadership and clinical direction for Serenity Vista staff, bringing together the skills and talents of a complementary, multidisciplinary team of professionals and holistic practitioners.
John and Jane also make Serenity Vista their home, role modeling healthy living in recovery on a day-to-day basis.
In keeping with the passions that developed Serenity Vista, outdoor adventure is an integral part of the retreat environment. In addition to traditional holistic therapies such as yoga and massage, guests experience weekly outdoor recreation and adventure in the world’s most beautiful tropical settings. Outings are varied and include hiking in the rainforest, zip-lining in the jungle canopy, horseback riding in the mountain highlands of Boquete, bird watching and outdoor rock climbing.
Serenity Vista has become a reflection of John's vision and life's passion. As he leads Serenity Vista, he shares not only what he has learned about addiction recovery, but also the importance of personal responsibility, self-discovery, and living according to one's values. Working with a maximum of four guests at a time, John helps create an environment where people receive individual attention and space to consider meaningful changes in their lives. Former guests often express gratitude for discovering greater serenity, meaning, purpose, and a renewed appreciation for life.
Hear directly from Serenity Vista’s founder, John Derry, as he shares his deeply personal journey of recovery and the passion that led to the creation of Serenity Vista. In this interview, discover the heart and vision behind our mission to transform lives. Listen to John share his story in this short interview.
For more insight into John’s inspiring journey and Serenity Vista’s mission, read this article, Serenity Vista – A Rehab Retreat Built on a Leap of Faith, here.
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