Shawn Blankenship’s journey is not flashy. It’s not filled with headlines or overnight success stories. But it is the kind of story that feels more real—and maybe more important.
Today, Shawn is a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and the Medical Director of Holistic Medical Services and Counseling in Charleston, West Virginia. His life’s work focuses on treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. But before he was running a successful clinic, he was just a young man trying to figure out his place in the world.
“I didn’t take the easy road,” Shawn says. “But the hard way taught me things I couldn’t have learned any other way.”
From Navy Life to Healthcare
Shawn grew up in a single-parent home. Money was tight, and life was sometimes tough. He learned early that resilience matters.
“It made me stronger,” he says. “You learn to keep showing up even when things aren’t easy.”
After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy. Military life gave him structure and purpose. It also gave him a front-row seat to the importance of good healthcare.
“Being in the Navy showed me how much people depend on good care,” Shawn explains. “It’s not just about medicine. It’s about trust.”
After leaving the service, Shawn decided to pursue a career in nursing. He started at St. Mary’s Nursing School, where he served as class president and graduated with honors. Later, he earned his degrees from Marshall University and Chamberlain School of Nursing, finishing as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
He wasn’t the youngest student in the room. But he didn’t let that stop him.
“I was older than most of my classmates,” he says. “But I knew what I wanted. I wasn’t doing it for a title. I was doing it to make a difference.”
Building a New Kind of Practice
In 2018, Shawn founded Holistic Medical Services and Counseling. His goal was simple but bold: treat the full person, not just their symptoms.
“I kept seeing patients who needed more than just a prescription,” Shawn says. “They needed someone to see the whole picture—physical health, mental health, life stress. It’s all connected.”
Holistic Medical Services blends primary care with counseling support. Patients can get medical treatment and mental health services under one roof. Shawn says the practice is about creating a safe space for healing.
“I’m not here to lecture anyone,” he says. “I’m here to listen and help.”
A Life Beyond the Clinic
When he’s not seeing patients or managing his practice, Shawn stays busy. He enjoys running, golfing, and real estate investing. But most importantly, he makes time for his family—his wife, Julie, and their daughter, Clara.
“They’re my anchor,” he says. “Everything I do is about building something better for them.”
Shawn is also involved in his community. He supports battered women’s shelters and other causes that help vulnerable people.
“Those are the folks who need support the most,” he says. “Sometimes the biggest difference you can make is just reminding someone they still have value.”
Leading Quietly
Shawn doesn’t see leadership as something loud or flashy. Instead, he believes in what he calls “quiet leadership.”
“Leadership isn’t about titles or making speeches,” he explains. “It’s about showing up, doing the work, and helping others grow.”
In his clinic, that means trusting his team, owning mistakes, and focusing on service over ego. It’s a lesson he credits to his time in the Navy and to his years working in healthcare.
“You succeed as a team or not at all,” Shawn says.
Looking Ahead
Today, Shawn stays focused on growing his clinic the right way—not just getting bigger, but staying true to the mission. He’s also passionate about mentoring the next generation of healthcare workers.
“Healthcare needs leaders who care about people first, not just numbers,” he says.
When asked what advice he would give to someone starting out, his answer is simple.
“Start where you are. Use what you have,” he says. “You’ll never feel 100% ready. But if you wait for perfect, you’ll miss your chance to grow.”
It’s clear that for Shawn Blankenship, success isn’t about reaching a finish line. It’s about showing up every day, doing the work, and building trust—one patient, one person, one day at a time.
Read more:
The Steady Road to Care: A Look at Shawn Blankenship, FNP