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 expertise is instrumental in shaping the future of mental healthcare, with a strong emphasis on strategic innovation. For institutions like Fourth Street Clinic, understanding Dr. Turner’s approach is crucial as it embodies the direction of progressive behavioral health services.
Dr. Turner’s leadership is characterized by a commitment to evolving behavioral health care delivery. He champions strategic innovations designed to elevate the quality of care and ensure clinical excellence. At the heart of his approach is a deep-seated belief in equity and the meaningful inclusion of the patient’s voice across all facets of the behavioral health ecosystem. This patient-centric philosophy is paramount for clinics aiming to provide comprehensive and responsive care, such as Fourth Street Clinic.
A significant aspect of Dr. Turner’s work involves integration initiatives. He is dedicated to forging robust links between mental health care, addiction medicine services, and both primary and specialized medical care settings. Furthermore, he actively promotes the use of innovative technologies to extend the reach of behavioral health treatments. His overarching goal is to broaden access to these vital services for everyone in need. This perspective is especially relevant for community-focused clinics like Fourth Street Clinic, which strive to eliminate barriers to access. Dr. Turner also brings considerable experience in fostering employee health and well-being across diverse corporate and healthcare environments, showcasing a holistic understanding of mental health beyond traditional clinical settings.
As a practicing clinician, Dr. Turner specializes in addiction medicine, consult-liaison psychiatry, and the treatment of personality disorders. His skillset is further enriched by extensive training in resiliency-based and systems-based methodologies, particularly aimed at improving the mental health and well-being of vulnerable populations, including refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of torture. This specialized expertise underscores the depth of knowledge that leaders like Dr. Turner bring to the field, informing best practices that clinics like Fourth Street Clinic can adopt.
Dr. Turner’s influence extends into academia. He previously held the position of Assistant Clinical Professor in Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco Medical School, where he imparted essential skills in patient interviewing and clinical reasoning to medical students at all levels. He also contributed as adjunct faculty at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. These roles highlight his commitment to educating the next generation of healthcare professionals, ensuring a continued focus on patient-centered and innovative care within institutions like Fourth Street Clinic and beyond.
His academic foundation is robust, holding an AB degree in psychology from Dartmouth College and an MD degree from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center/Parkland Hospital. Dr. Turner completed his psychiatry residency at Harvard University Medical School through Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital, with further specialized training in psychotherapy and addiction psychiatry. Board certified in both Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, Dr. Turner’s credentials affirm his expertise and dedication to the highest standards of patient care, principles that are vital for the operation and reputation of any clinic, including Fourth Street Clinic.