Dr. Mason Turner stands as a pivotal figure in the landscape of behavioral health, currently serving as the Associate Chief Medical Officer for Behavioral Health at Intermountain Health, a system spanning Salt Lake City, UT, and Denver, CO. His leadership is characterized by a deep commitment to evolving mental health care delivery through strategic innovations that prioritize both clinical excellence and equitable access. This dedication resonates strongly with community-focused initiatives, such as the vital work carried out at the 4th Street Clinic, reflecting a shared ethos of inclusive and patient-centered care.
Dr. Turner’s approach is deeply rooted in the principle of integrating the patient voice into every facet of the behavioral health ecosystem. He spearheads integration initiatives designed to seamlessly connect mental health and addiction medicine services with primary and specialized medical care. Recognizing the transformative potential of technology, Dr. Turner also champions innovative digital solutions to broaden the reach of behavioral health treatments. His overarching mission is to dismantle barriers to access, ensuring that essential behavioral health services are available to all who require them, mirroring the accessibility goals of organizations like the 4th street clinic which strives to provide immediate care to vulnerable populations. Beyond clinical settings, Dr. Turner extends his expertise to the corporate world, actively promoting employee health and well-being across diverse sectors.
As a practicing clinician, Dr. Turner specializes in addiction medicine, consult-liaison psychiatry, and the complex treatment of personality disorders. His clinical toolkit is further enriched by extensive training in resiliency-based and systems-oriented methodologies, particularly tailored for improving the mental health and well-being of refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of torture. This expertise aligns with the trauma-informed care often needed by individuals seeking assistance from community health resources like the 4th street clinic.
Before his impactful role at Intermountain Health, Dr. Turner contributed to academia as a former Assistant Clinical Professor in Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco Medical School. There, he imparted crucial skills in patient interviewing and clinical reasoning to medical students at all levels, shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals. He also held adjunct faculty status at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, further extending his influence in medical education.
Dr. Turner’s academic foundation is robust, beginning with an AB degree in psychology from Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, followed by an MD degree from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center/ Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX. His postgraduate training in psychiatry was completed at Harvard University Medical School through Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital in Boston, MA, with specialized psychotherapy training at the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies at Massachusetts General Hospital and addiction psychiatry training at McLean Hospital. Board certified in both Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine, Dr. Turner’s credentials underscore his commitment to the highest standards of patient care and professional excellence, values that are also central to the operations and community impact of the 4th street clinic and similar healthcare access points.
