OUTSTANDING TEAM PHYSICIAN
Doc keeps players healthy
25-year-veteran excels at mixing West High's Gatorade, too
By TOM REEDTHE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Dr. Robert Turner does his best work with a scalpel, but on football Friday nights, he takes pride in being just as handy with a really big spoon.
If 25 years as team doctor for West High School have taught him anything, it's that players won't drink poorly mixed Gatorade.
So as the Cowboys warmed up 30 minutes before a recent kickoff, the orthopedic surgeon stood on the sideline stirring lemon-lime powder into a 10-gallon drum.
Errant footballs whizzed past. Band members congregated behind him. Homecoming activities at Magley Field were about to commence.
Turner just kept stirring. With game time approaching, he and water boy Josh Harvey poured the energy drink into paper cups and placed them on the table behind the Cowboys' bench.
"I don't know another team doctor that would fill Gatorade cups," athletic trainer Julie Hall said. "I mixed the Gatorade one time for him, and he said it wasn't up to standard. That's Doc Turner for you."
A recipient of the annual Ohio Outstanding Team Physician award, Turner will be honored Friday night during a halftime ceremony at West's home game against Eastmoor Academy.
At a city school whose football boosters can't afford to print game-night rosters, let alone programs, the 59-year-old team doctor is an uncommon luxury, West athletic director Tamara Braskett said.
All city schools have designated team doctors, Mifflin High School athletic director Doug Jones said, but not everyone is as committed as Turner.
He attends home and away football games and spends his own money to supply braces and other medical equipment. He also runs Saturday-morning injury clinics, where players can visit his Souder Avenue office near Mount Carmel West hospital to receive low-cost or, in many cases, no-cost treatment.
Turner can be spotted on game nights passing out business cards to players and their families as a reminder of the Saturday clinics.
"Having someone like Doc Turner is the best thing a high-school football team could have," said West senior lineman Brandon Butcher, whose broken fingers and sprained ankles have been treated by Turner at no cost.
"Doc Turner is always there when we need him, and he never lets us down."
Turner occasionally extends the courtesy to athletes from other schools. Longtime West booster Ken Miesse recalls Turner providing a treadmill to a rival athlete to assist in his rehabilitation.
Pressed about specific acts of generosity, Turner often cites faulty memory. "I guess I've just been around here too long," he said.
In a district where 16 schools must share six athletic trainers, Turner acknowledges that resources are limited. Still, he said he can't imagine volunteering his services anywhere else.
A graduate of St. Clairsville High School, about 120 miles east of Columbus, Turner never has attended his alma mater's homecoming game but hasn't missed one at West in 25 years.
"These kids and families just seem to appreciate it more," said Turner, who often buys the Gatorade. "This is the most fun thing I've done in the profession. It's something useful."
Dressed in a brown West polo shirt and khaki shorts, Turner spent much of the first half of the homecoming game tending to minor bumps and scrapes. The Cowboys have improved under second-year coach Mike Flusche, but on this night they were undermanned and overmatched against Marion-Franklin High School.
With five minutes left in the half, freshman lineman Henry Mayo limped to the sideline after taking a helmet to his left knee and thigh. Turner accompanied Mayo to a dank, dimly lit brick room adjacent to the Cowboys' locker room.
The team doctor eased Mayo onto the trainer's table. The freshman's face radiated with pain as Turner ran his fingers across the knee and thigh. He had Mayo flex his meaty leg and bend it at different angles.
Turner couldn't say for sure but told the player there appeared to be no break.
"You're out for the night," Turner said, pausing for effect. "But you probably figured that."
Mayo looked at the team doctor and mustered a smile.
"We've been lucky here," Turner said. "We've never had one of those catastrophic injuries. We've had some fractures and concussions, but no serious injuries to the neck or spinal cord. Those are the ones I always worry about."
Turner's medical bag includes gauze, tape, bandages, scissors and cutters strong enough to sever a face mask. He said his most important instrument, however, is a cell phone.
Although West does not have a paramedic unit on site during games, Turner said one can arrive within minutes.
Several years ago, a referee had a seizure on the field and Turner helped keep the man from swallowing his tongue until help arrived.
"I have never worked with a team physician who goes above and beyond like Doc Turner," said Jones, who served as West's athletic trainer from 2001 to '05. "He's always looking for the next thing he can do."
Turner said he feels unworthy of receiving an award, even though he easily qualifies for the major prerequisite -- 20 years of service as a team physician.
He believes he does nothing more than any other team physician, and mentions Dr. Dennis Doody, who has served Beechcroft High School since 1978.
Jones said that Turner could have won a similar honor several years ago, but Turner used his influence to have his nomination overlooked.
"Team doctors don't come out here to make money and win awards," Turner said.
In the second half, he and his student assistants treated a variety of minor injuries and ailments. When a player cramped up twice within 10 minutes, Turner returned to the sideline, shaking his head.
"He's not drinking enough Gatorade."
The Cowboys fell behind 33-7 en route to a 47-24 loss. The most encouraging sign was the sight of a smiling Mayo, who watched the second half from the bench with the aid of crutches.
Turner checked Mayo's knee again and reminded the freshman he wanted to see him the next day in his office.
As Turner gazed into the stands, he saw many familiar faces: former students who are now parents, ex-players who have kids on the team.
Turner's wife, Mary, and his children rarely attend West games, but the team doctor feels surrounded by family.
"When I came back here last season, I couldn't believe Doc Turner was still here," said Darrell McDade, a West assistant coach and 1986 graduate. "The hair used to be brown and curly, but he still has that same desire to help kids."
On this night, the Gatorade was dumped down a drain rather than over a coach's head. Gathering their medical supplies, Turner and his assistants still gained some satisfaction from the outcome.
Every player had walked away. Even Mayo had abandoned his crutches.
"Having someone like Doc Turner is the best thing a high-school football team could have."
Brandon ButcherWest senior lineman