Local surgeon to devote his skills to patients in wound care clinic, full time

Nevada, Mo. -- After nearly 28 years in Nevada, Dr. William Turner is calling it quits -- sort of. After Jan. 1, Turner will no longer be doing surgeries. Instead, he will concentrate on working in the Nevada Regional Medical Center Wound Clinic.

Turner started at the Nevada Medical Clinic in August 1980 and currently serves as the chief of surgery and medical director of the Wound Clinic. He also sits on the NRMC board of directors.

When he first arrived in Nevada he was taken under the wing of Dr. Roy Pierce, a doctor he describes as "an old war horse," and one he emulates.

"He was one of the old war horses," Turner said. "They set the standard. He really impressed me. When he was recruiting me they didn't have a way to do arterial blood gasses here. He was asking me about them and here he was going to retire in a month. That's how physicians need to be -- love to learn and love to teach."

Turner earned a reputation among the hospital staff early on as being somewhat wild but says he had reasons for his actions.

"Yes, it's true I did some things," Turner said. "I did throw a chart and bend it, but I had a reason."

Turner is passionate about patient care and he expects those around him to share his concern for the well-being of patients.

"I'm usually humming and chit-chatting when I'm doing surgery, but if something comes up, it's let's turn the music down and concentrate," Turner said. "I want everyone to focus on doing the best they can."

Turner said he doesn't like large cities and Nevada was the right size, but there was one deciding factor that induced him to move here -- the foliage. Turner had a choice to make -- live in Oklahoma or move to Nevada.

"The deciding factor in coming to Nevada was the trees," Turner said. "I had gone to the University of Oklahoma and I was looking at staying in Oklahoma or moving here, and there were trees here."

While Nevada's herbaceousness may have brought Turner to town, fellow physicians, and their commitment to patients kept him here.

"We stayed here because the doctors got along with each other," Turner said. "They work together and help each other out."

"We all have different businesses but we work together to help the patients," Turner said. "Dr. Kemm has a new device you swallow like a pill that takes pictures going down. Dr. Randy Booth is great to work with and he is another who really cares about quality patient care."

Quality patient care is the hallmark of the Wound Care Clinic and it's success is one in which Turner takes great pride.

"We used to have a major amputation every quarter or so," Turner said. "Since we've had the Wound Care Clinic we can treat the wounds and not have to cut the leg. We haven't had an amputation at all this year. There's one patient that's 95 years old and she had a wound that would have required an amputation in the past but it's responding to treatment, 95 years old. That's amazing."

Turner gives the hospital administration kudos for supporting the doctors in their quest for better patient care.

"The good thing is the administration is behind us and gives us what we need," Turner said.

Turner is willing, even eager to pass on his zeal for patient care.

"I'm always trying to teach nursing students properly," Turner said. "I've had several students follow me around and have become doctors. I think it's been 10 students that have followed me around and have gone on to become doctors. I'm proud of that."