Dr. Deborah Ann Turner

Dr. Deborah Ann Turner was selected by local women’s organizations and leaders to speak during the shared keynote. In addition, Dr. Turner will lead a 40 minute follow-up discussion/presentation in one of the Issue Rooms.     

Dr. Deborah Ann Turner currently works with Planned Parenthood of the Heartland as Associate Medical Director. She specialized in gynecologic oncology starting her career at UNMC in 1985 and then, providing caring, compassionate, patient-oriented attention to her patients at Mercy Medical Center Des Moines as director of Gynecologic Oncology, Univ. of Iowa, Medical College of Wisconsin, and developing a program in her hometown of Mason City, IA for 30 years. In 2000, Dr. Turner became Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Mercy, a position in which she excelled, even as she transitioned to V.P. of International Programs at Outreach Program.

In 2015 she transitioned to V.P. of International Programs at Outreach Program.

Outreach Program is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) whose focus is addressing hunger, water, medicine and education needs in developing countries. Its international work is currently centered in Tanzania, where Outreach organized multidisciplinary medical missions twice a year, built two children's centers where children receive meals packaged by Outreach in the US, school uniforms, tutoring and school fee support. Outreach Program also designs and has installed water systems in many villages.

Dr. Deborah Turner's deep concern for education and social justice issues have constantly compelled her to make civil responsibility one of her top priorities. Her commitment and drive led Dr. Turner to obtain her law degree by studying nights and weekends while continuing to serve her patients and the community with her medical expertise.  Currently Dr. Turner is deeply engaged with social justice by her committed work with the League of Women Voters. She served as president of LWVIA and was recently reelected to the National Board of LWVUS. Her passion currently has led to her leadership of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs for both Planned Parenthood and LWV.