Turner Medical Clinic Closing Permanently

May 15, 2010

     Since January 2^nd 1953, there has been at least one Dr. Turner serving the medical needs of our river parish communities. Dr. Ward Turner was instrumental in building the first St. James Parish Hospital in 1955, and I played a large role in building our new St. James Parish Hospital in 2008. This is what makes this decision so difficult. After evaluating all my possible options, I have decided to close Turner Medical Clinic as of May 15th, 2010. Dr Candy will be retiring from the practice of medicine, and on July 1, 2010 I will begin working for Ochsner Health Center in Prairieville, LA. ALL PATIENTS, especially those with chronic conditions, must make arrangements to see another doctor because I will be unavailable for 6 weeks and will not be able to refill prescriptions. My office will be happy to assist you in finding another physician. You may also contact St. James Parish Hospital for physician referral. Those patients who wish to switch back to me after July 1^st will be most welcome at the Ochsner Health Center which is only a short drive away at 16220 Airline Hwy, Prairieville, LA 70769; Phone 225-744-1111. I am confident that, with my 22 years of experience now combined with a new state-of-the-art office with in-house lab and X-ray, plus having instant access to the Ochsner specialty network, I will be able to provide even higher quality medical care to my patients.

    Medical records: If you are our patient but have not been in to see us since January, 2009, your medical records were destroyed in the fire and are not available. If you saw us from February 3^rd 2009 onward, all of your old records were scanned into electronic form and should be available. Prior to May 15, 2010, requests for medical records may be made in person at the office or by mail. If you request the records in electronic form to be sent by Email, there will be no charge. If you request paper copies, there will be a fee (specified by state law: $15 plus $1/page for pages 1-25, and 50¢/page for the rest) that needs to be paid before the records will be released.

Address to mail records release forms: 

Prior to May 15th, 2010:

Turner Medical Clinic

PO Box 509

Lutcher, LA 70071

 

After May 15th, 2010:

Joseph Turner MD

1740 Cabanose Ave

Lutcher, LA 70071

Dr. Candy and I will continue to live in the community and support the community in any way we can. I hope you all understand that I believe this is the best decision for our family.

 Sincerely,

 Joseph Turner MD

 

If you would like to download a Word file copy of the letter, please click here.

If you would like to download a Word file copy of the Records Release Form, please click here.