Family Nurse Practitioner and U.S. Navy veteran Shawn Blankenship is urging individuals and communities to rethink success—not as fame or financial gain, but as consistent, values-driven effort that leads to lasting impact. Drawing from decades of military service, medical training, and entrepreneurship, Blankenship is speaking out about the power of personal discipline and community care to drive meaningful change.
“Success isn’t about titles or money,” Blankenship says. “It’s when the work I do matches the values I live by. That includes providing real care to my patients, being present for my family, and staying aligned with my faith and goals.”
His story—rising from a single-parent household, through Navy service, into founding a successful medical clinic—serves as a reminder that small actions repeated daily can build something powerful.
From Engine Rooms to Exam Rooms
Raised in Huntington, West Virginia, Blankenship enlisted in the Navy in 1988 and worked in ship engine rooms under constant pressure. “I didn’t always feel like the smartest guy in the room,” he says, “but I could outlast almost anyone.”
That same grit carried him through nursing school while working 12-hour hospital shifts. He eventually earned honours from St. Mary’s Nursing School, a BSN from Marshall University, and graduated with distinction as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Chamberlain School of Nursing.
“I’d finish a shift, change clothes in the parking lot, and head straight to class,” he recalls. “When you’re tired and no one’s watching, that’s when your habits take over.”
Healthcare with Purpose and Focus
In 2018, Blankenship founded Holistic, Inc., a medical clinic in Charleston that blends primary care with mental health counselling. By focusing on small systems—index cards with daily tasks, hallway check-ins, and transparent patient communication—his clinic improved follow-up rates by 40% within a year.
“It may not sound glamorous, but it’s how I’ve moved forward,” he says. “Success isn’t always exciting. It’s usually pretty repetitive. But that repetition builds trust in yourself.”
Giving Back Where It Counts
Blankenship also volunteers twice a month at a local battered women’s shelter, offering free check-ups and health education.
“These women often haven’t seen a doctor in years,” he says. “Volunteering reminds me why I got into healthcare in the first place—to serve, not just to work.”
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, over 10 million adults in the U.S. experience domestic violence each year, with many survivors unable to access healthcare. Blankenship believes that grassroots involvement, not just policy change, is key to addressing this crisis.
What You Can Do
Rather than donate to a cause or attend a seminar, Blankenship wants people to start where they are:
Write down one daily goal and complete it—then do it again tomorrow.
Use your skills to support a local group or neighbour.
Reflect on your own values, and check if your work aligns with them.
Ask for help or mentorship—then pay it forward.
“Start scared, start unsure—but just start,” Blankenship says. “That’s what separates the dreamers from the doers.”
To read the full interview, click here.
About Shawn Blankenship, FNP
Shawn Blankenship is a Family Nurse Practitioner, Medical Director, and U.S. Navy veteran. He is the founder of Holistic Medical Services and Counseling in Charleston, West Virginia. Shawn blends medical care with leadership habits, volunteering, and mentorship. He lives with his wife, Julie, and daughter, Clara, and spends his free time rehabbing properties, running, and golfing.
Contact:
[email protected]
Media ContactCompany Name: Shawn Blankenship FNPContact Person: Shawn BlankenshipEmail: Send EmailCity: CharlestonState: WVCountry: CanadaWebsite: https://www.shawnblankenship.com/
