James E. Turk, D.O., was born in South Bend and raised in La Porte, Indiana where he graduated from La Porte High School. He completed his undergraduate degree at Indiana University and his medical degree at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. His postgraduate surgical training was completed at Naval Hospital Oakland and Naval Hospital San Diego.

After 10 years of active duty service in the United States Navy, Dr. Turk, his wife and children settled in Valparaiso where he has practiced medicine since 1994.