Terry Treat, Ralph Turner and Bob Albrecht [Photo: Denise Ritchie]

As a Georgia native, Ralph Turner, chief operating officer for the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, told an audience at a luncheon hosted by the Indian River Chapter of Military Officers Association of America last Friday afternoon that he was pleased to finally be back in warmer climes.

Turner, invited to speak about ‘Cleveland Clinic and Indian River County: Better Together,’ was appointed to the role of COO last March, having previously served as executive director of Patient Support for Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Prior to that, Turner held executive positions at the University of Wisconsin Health System and the MedStar Washington Center, and served as director of Clinical Engineering Services and deputy director of Logistics at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

“I come back amongst my military family and I feel like I’m home,” said Turner, who retired as Chief Warrant Officer 4 after “21 years, four months and 14 days in the United States Army.” As the most recent member of the local MOAA chapter, he added, “Thank you for allowing me to become a part of your family; I am honored to be here.”

Commenting on the military’s core value of esprit du corps, Turner said, “I can honestly say, I’ve found that in Cleveland Clinic. When you’re working in healthcare, the true value that you hold dear, is putting the patient first. And that’s what we do. It’s our job to ensure that everyone who provides healthcare on the Treasure Coast ups their game.”

Commenting on Cleveland Clinic’s deep roots in the military, he said its founders, who served in a military hospital in France during World War I, were impressed with the cooperative spirit of colleagues. They created a hospital with a focus to “think and act as a unit,” a model that continues today to ensure they provide the best care possible.

He said of the 66,000 employees serving patients in 18 hospital locations across the United States and overseas, more than 1,100 military retirees and reserves are on staff, including in top positions.

“We are truly a clinically integrated network,” said Turner, noting that by 2021, an Epic software records program will be completed world-wide. “That means that whatever issue you’re having, we can reach out to any physician across our enterprise to help take care of you.”

Turner said he has been impressed by the “true culture of customer service” already at the Vero hospital, adding that their focus now is ensuring staff has everything they need to take care of patients, from upgraded equipment to continually keeping up with the times.

MOAA, a nonprofit, nonpartisan association, open to current and former officers from all branches of service, their spouses and surviving spouses, meets for engaging programs monthly, except July and August.

Members provide support to active service members and veterans, and participate in such community events as upcoming Veterans and Family Picnic on Feb. 1 at Riverview Park, Stars and Stripes Gala on Feb. 29 at Grand Harbor, April 25-26 Vero Beach Air Show, and Memorial Island Sanctuary ceremonies.

For more information, visit moaafl.org/Chapters/IRCMOAA.