Director of Physician Recruitment, Marketing, Physician Relations & Industry and Customer Service, Logan Regional Medical Center
Twitter: @coachjt05
LinkedIn: Justin Turner, Logan Regional Medical Center
Written by Samantha Cart
Justin Turner knows where he’s going.
While he started his student career at the University of Charleston majoring in business and health care, he quickly realized he needed a different approach. After switching strictly to business and receiving guidance from his mentor, Kevin Fowler, his pursuit of an MBA in health care management helped lead to his current position as the director of physician recruitment for Logan Regional Medical Center (LRMC).
While Turner has accomplished a great deal in his career, he continues to work toward making his dream a reality. “My goal is to become the CEO of a hospital,” he says. “This is something I want to do mainly to have a part in helping people because that’s really what life is about.” Turner feels he is on the right track with the help of several mentors, including his current boss, Kevin Zachary.
Turner’s motivation to help others stems from his commitment to God. “One of the most memorable parts of my childhood was when I accepted Jesus at a young age, and I continue to serve him,” he says. “I love helping people, and although I am not a doctor or a nurse, I feel like I play a part in making people healthier every day at the hospital.”
Growing up in Chapmanville, WV, Turner worked at his father’s gas station, which taught him valuable lessons he uses today. “Many days and nights I saw my father putting himself second to help others,” says Turner. His mother and grandfather also led by example, and Turner learned about strong work ethic by watching the three of them. It was from his father, though, that he learned how to communicate with customers. “I believe being able to communicate well with others has been one of the greatest influences on my success,” he says.
Turner demonstrates his commitment to others both on and off the job, and he considers community service his most fulfilling work. “I really like to help locally in my hometown. That’s where it counts to me the most,” he says. “I love West Virginia. It’s where I was born and raised. To know almost everyone and have a small-town feel—to me there is nothing better. I feel so fortunate to be in my community where I can assist our people. This is my place, this is my town, and I love it.”
Turner serves in a variety of roles throughout the community, including chair of Leadership Logan, announcer for a variety of Logan High School sporting events and board member for the Logan County Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Logan, where he volunteers with the annual Pancake Day fundraiser, bicycle rodeo and picnic; the local school improvement council; West Virginia Child Advocacy Network; the attendance committee for the Logan County Board of Education and Gideons International. He is also an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the Go Red for Women cardiology awareness campaign, Fox on the Run 5K and Poker Run, Coalfield Jamboree and National Cancer Survivors Day.
Turner is a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of McConnell, where he participates in a variety of outreach programs. He has been a member of the church’s puppet ministry for 12 years and worked as a sound engineer for 15 years. He has assisted with countless food donations, including an ongoing annual Christmas drive that provides food to more than 300 families every year.
He also serves as head coach for the Logan High School tennis team, and he has had seven students go on to play collegiate tennis since 2010. He is a 2014 graduate of Leadership West Virginia, and in 2016, he was the recipient of Logan Regional Medical Center’s Mercy Award. One of the highest honors given by LRMC’s parent company, LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., the award honors an employee who is dedicated to serving the community by going above and beyond the call of duty.
Turner has come a long way from an adolescent sports broadcaster and sales clerk at McCormick’s men’s shop in Logan, and he looks forward to what the future will bring. “My life is about what is in front of me, and I feel the greatest and best success is yet to come.”
What is your favorite . . . ?
Color – Blue
Food – Steak
Cartoon Character – Michelangelo, the ninja turtle
Ice Cream – Cookie dough
Book – The Bible
App – ESPN
Midnight Snack – Vanilla wafers
Super Hero – Batman
Video Game – Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo
TV Show – “Law & Order SVU”
Movie – “Dumb and Dumber”
Smell – Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Sport Team – West Virginia University Mountaineers
Car – Corvette
Place – Florida
Small Local Restaurant – I have a tie with Parkway Drive-In’s hot dogs and Chirico’s Ristorante
Season – Fall
Era – 2000s
West Virginia Location – Logan County
West Virginia Activity – Play tennis and enjoy the scenery
