Honoring Owen's Legacy: The Turner's Journey from USD to Health Care Equipment Advocacy
Eleanor and Mike Turner have always had a passion for their family.
Their dedication to family took priority when their oldest son, Owen, was born with a rare chromosome disorder in 2009.
"Owen had a huge personality that filled any room. If you met him once, you did not forget him. His favorite color was pink, and he touched so many people's lives," said Eleanor, president and co-founder of The Legacy Foundation, and Sioux Falls education coordinator with the USD Sanford School of Medicine.
When Owen passed away after 12 courageous years, his parents knew they "couldn't let that personality disappear."
In Owen's honor, Eleanor and Mike – along with Dr. Michelle Schimelpfenig, associate dean of the Sanford School of Medicine Sioux Falls campus – started The Legacy Foundation in 2022. The Legacy Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging gaps in health care access for families in need. Located at The West Nonprofit Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, an office-building rented to nonprofit organizations by the Dow Rummel Village, the foundation shares the building with other organizations such as the Sioux Empire United Way, Sioux Falls Community Foundation, Delta Dental of South Dakota, and the South Dakota Parkinsons Foundation.
As part of the foundation, the couple also founded Owen's Outfitters, a free medical equipment lending library dedicated to providing durable and disposable medical equipment at no charge to those who need it most.
The equipment undergoes a strict review process and includes anything from specific formulas and IV poles to special wheelchairs and hospital beds. All of this is made possible by private donors and partnerships.
Owen's Outfitters is also there for those who may not have supplies or necessities covered by insurance, those who need extra supplies due to difficult family circumstances or those who may have had current equipment break or malfunction.
"We provide to anyone, from birth to end of life, whenever that comes," said Eleanor. "Our philosophy is that if you need it, come get it. Our mission is to get the equipment into the hands of those who need it most."
"To be able to work with the community and provide these services has been wonderful. The things The Legacy Foundation is doing, we wouldn't be doing without that spark from the University of South Dakota," said Mike.
Life Changing Inspiration
Eleanor first connected with USD in 2020 when she was referred to the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND), a program run by the USD Center for Disabilities.
The LEND program works to improve the health of infants, children and adolescents with disabilities. As part of the program, graduate and medical students of all disciplines spend time with families whose children have developmental disabilities, gaining experience in exchange for graduate credits.
By inviting the graduate students into their homes, families give them an inside perspective. Additionally, these types of experiences train students to advocate for families when conversing with health care providers and medical personnel regarding physical therapy, developmental lessons and family needs.
Through the LEND program, Eleanor was inspired to pursue her Master of Arts in interdisciplinary studies at USD, where she tailored her degree to nonprofit work and disability advocacy, graduating in 2023.
She also started working for the USD Sanford School of Medicine as the education coordinator in 2021.
"I loved that experience and decided I would expand my undergraduate credits into a full master's program," said Eleanor.
"The beauty of the Master of Arts in interdisciplinary studies program is that a graduate degree is tailored exclusively to specific interests and goals," she continued. "Every class I took was incredibly valuable. I've drawn upon the knowledge gained from each one."
In addition to the "life-changing" LEND program, Eleanor's most memorable classes included Ethical Leadership taught by Nathalie Meyer, adjunct instructor, and three nonprofit-focused courses taught by Richard Braunstein, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Political Science.
Mike Turner, now the executive director for The Legacy Foundation, is currently in the Master of Business Administration program at USD, where he is developing skills in grant writing and sales to further The Legacy Foundation's mission. He also previously worked for the USD Sanford School of Medicine.
"We started looking at ways where we could give back and volunteer. Part of that journey was going back to school to get my master's degree. The business administration program has given me skills in grant writing and sales – all those aspects are a big part of The Legacy Foundation," said Mike. "I've really enjoyed my time at the business school so far."
As part of giving back, the couple hosts a yearly Legacy Trip, where third-year Sanford School of Medicine students travel to Florida and volunteer at a resort called Give Kids the World Village.
While at the resort, USD students spend a week volunteering with families who have children with life-limiting conditions. Students do everything from running wheelchair-accessible rides to cleaning and bussing tables or giving golf cart rides around the resort. The experience has even paved the way for a few academic research projects.
"USD was definitely influential in The Legacy Foundation's creation," said Eleanor. "The first program we got up and running was the Legacy Trip. Students have said that their time on the trip has been hugely impactful as they prepare to be future physicians."
Medical Equipment on the Move
The Turners have also started the first mobile medical equipment lending library in South Dakota, which will be run by volunteer drivers. The library will bring critical medical equipment directly to families in rural communities, providing life-changing support to those who might otherwise struggle to access the care they need.
"I know there are people in smaller communities who are unable to visit us personally. I thought it would be amazing if we could bring our equipment to them," said Eleanor.
The bus was gifted to The Legacy Foundation by an anonymous donor and renovations are currently undergoing, thanks to the AARP 2024 Community Challenge grant.
Wrapped in vibrant, bright pink – Owen's favorite color – it will proudly display The Legacy Foundation logo. Mike and Eleanor are eagerly anticipating the bus's first journey this winter.
For more information about The Legacy Foundation, please visit TheLegacyFoundationSD.com.
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