2020 Person of the Year Nominees: Ashley and Mike Tupper

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Despite a global pandemic that threw a wrench into the way everyone did everything across the globe, especially those in the health care field, Ashley and Mike Tupper of Hometown Medical Clinic have continued to grow at speeds they never imagined. This growth, and the continued dedication to Weston County community, makes the Tupper family perfect candidates for the 2020 Person of the Year, according to nominator Andy McKay. 
“We have grown so much. How fast it has all happened was unpredictable. We never saw us being here, buying a new building and our staff being more than just Mike, my mom and I,” Ashley said, with tears in her eyes. 
The support from the community is what has allowed Hometown Medical Clinic to continue to grow since they first started seeing patients in September of 2019. Only a year after cutting the ribbon at their original office, located at 719 Washington Blvd., the couple is remodeling a Main Street location, offering more services than when they started. 
“The clinic’s main goal is to provide quality service for the community at an affordable price. Because of this, Hometown has since gone from Ashley being the sole medical provider to three, in addition to growing support staff, Mike and Ashley have recently purchased the old Newcastle Hardware building downtown and are currently renovating it to serve as the new home for the clinic,” McKay said in a nomination letter. 
According to Ashley, the family-run clinic has strived since day one to make sure that the patients they are seeing not only see the efforts of the staff but also feel that effort. They are dedicated to providing the same level of service seen in cities, Tupper said. 
Part of this, she said, is giving people access to services locally, the same services people would once have had to travel to receive. 
From contracting with Labcorp to provide affordable lab work to offering full urgent care Monday through Friday, the Tuppers are doing everything they can to give the community what they need. 
“Urgent care is something that the community has wanted for a long time. We have worked so hard and are so proud to be able to deliver this urgent care service to the community,” Ashley said. 
With patients in mind, Ashley said she also developed membership options for patients who do not have health insurance. She explained that this allows patients to pay a monthly fee instead of a fee per visit. 
“We have also created a unique, flat fee, self-pay visit option, where anyone may pay a flat rate for a visit that includes anything completed in the clinic that day without add-on pricing,” Ashley said. “This has been a welcomed option for those without insurance or those with high deductible plans.” 
Filling gaps in rural health care has been an ongoing job, Ashley said, noting that their clinic recently added a full occupational health division that offers employment physicals, urine drug screens, breath alcohol testing, workers’ compensation and so much more to national and local employers. 
With so much going on in their lives, from running the clinic full time to remodeling their new location, many might wonder how the couple gets all of it done and still makes time for family. 
“Many patients ask, Do you ever get to go home and enjoy time with your family?” Ashley said. “The part that some may not know is that our entire family is personally invested in the clinic and its success.” 
Working at the front desk is Ashley’s mother, Tammie Kent; her father, Dale Kent, serves as the operations manager and aids with patient flow; and her husband, Mike, the chief operations officer, is remodeling their new location. 
“My husband … handles all things business: accounting, billing, human relations and so much more,” Ashley said. “He works from home while also home-schooling our children.”
While her daughter, Ryleigh, and son, Ryder, aren’t old enough to participate in the family business quite yet, Tupper said that their pictures are hung in every corner of the clinic. 
Not only has Ashley’s family gone above and beyond to help her and Mike achieve their dream, the employees working with them at the clinic have been instrumental in the family’s success.
“The employees we have are exceptional beyond words. They all understand and believe in our mission,” Ashley said. “Every single one of our staff goes above and beyond for our practice and patients every day.” 
As far as being recognized for their work, Ashley said, there isn’t a word to express how they feel about the response from the community. 
“We have been welcomed and loved. That is how we feel. This is a tight-knit community, so much local support, and we feel like we have been well received and welcomed,” Mike said. 
This support means the world to the family and their practice, Ashley said. 
“It is impossible to put into words the support and kindness we have been given during our five years in Newcastle. We are honored and appreciative,” Tupper said. 
“This is not just my dream; this is the dream for our entire family. The support we have is truly amazing. Someday, I hope my children will care for the babies I care for today,” Ashley said. “This is our life and our legacy for Weston County. We are so proud and humbled to be here and that the community has welcomed us and accepted us as part of their families as well.”