UPMC Chautauqua will be supported by the third generation of the Richard and Autumn Turner family.

Richard E. Turner III has joined the Board of Directors of WCA Foundation. This foundation supports the hospital with more than $500.000 in grants each year. Turner, casually known as Ricky to family and friends, is following the footsteps of his grandparents and parents, Rick and Terry Turner, in their devotion to serving this community by assuring excellent health care is available through its hospital.

“I am thrilled to be following in the footsteps of multiple generations of family members by contributing to the hospital in my own way,” Ricky Turner said.

Ricky’s grandmother, Autumn, was a nurse by profession at Mount Sini Medical Center in New York City and the Jamestown General Hospital prior to its merger with the WCA Hospital. She served on the General Hospital and WCA Hospital Auxiliaries and was a member of Creche. Upon her death, her extended family and husband contributed to the rebuilding of the Emergency Department in her memory. The ambulance entrance to the hospital was subsequently named in her honor.

Rick and Terry Turner have been long time supporters of the hospital where Terry served as member of the board of directors of WCA Hospital for many years. She was part of the board that guided the hospital through their five-year search for the correct transition of the hospital into its future. In 2016 the clear path was determined to be the total affiliation of the hospital with the world-class medial corporation UMPC in Pittsburgh.

“Rural hospitals face a variety of challenges and we are lucky to have the WCA Foundation and UPMC working to improve the quality and access to care in the region,” Turner added.

“The foundation has had excellent stewardship since its inception and I hope to continue to build on the Foundation’s legacy.”

Rick Turner, CEO of Blackstone Advanced Technologies LLC, has been a member of WCA Foundation’s Finance Committee in preparation for his new role on the Board of Directors of the foundation. Board members are limited to serving a maximum of nine years as directors. Turner’s corporate expertise coupled with his family tradition serve him well for this position.

“We are so happy Ricky has taken the next step in volunteering at WCA Foundation. His understanding of the important role the Foundation plays in supporting our hospital and healthcare in this community has roots beyond his years,” said Brigetta Overcash, executive director of WCA Foundation.

Turner and his wife Heather reside in his hometown of Lakewood with their two sons. He returned to this community after earning bachelors and MBA degrees from Cornell University. Turner is also donating his time as a board member with the Chautauqua Lake Yacht Club.

“Ricky is one of a new generation of volunteers who are supporting the efforts of WCA Foundation in this community,” Overcash said.

“That is so important because the Jamestown area is known for its philanthropic support of what is important in this community’s life – healthcare, education, the arts, nature and nature. It’s a wonderful transition to our community’s future when younger people find their passion for supporting the community and step into supportive and leadership roles to keep this area vibrant and strong.

“So many times people assume you have to be wealthy to support the hospital through WCA Foundation which is not true. Donations large and small are put into funds that are never actually spent but the interest earned from them is given away in grants. Building that endowment is what assures the foundation’s — and the community’s — ability to support the hospital forever,” said Overcash. “Of course, gifts for current needs of the hospital are always welcomed too. They are passed on to UPMC Chautauqua for the donor’s purpose as needed.”

For more information about WCA Foundation’s volunteer opportunities and support options, contact Megan Barone, foundation development director, at 664-8423 Baronema3@upmc.edu or Brigetta Overcash at 664-5461 or Overcashbe@upmc.edu.

More information about WCA Foundation and its grants to UPMC Chautauqua can be found at www.wcafoundationjamestown.org.