Meet Our Team
We regard our dedicated professionals as an integral part of the recovery team.
The experienced staff at Waypoint Recovery Center contribute their expertise to every client, helping you to understand and overcome your challenges in collaboration with family and other support systems. Our goal is to help you reach yours: a healthier, happier life, free from the consequences of substance use disorder.
Our decisions are made on the premise that each person has an inherent potential for change and growth. We believe that certain proven principles help us all move toward continuous improvement, deeper relationships, and greater joy, even in the face of difficulties.
Turner James, LCSW, LISW-CP, MBA, MS,
Chief Executive Officer
Turner James joined Waypoint in 2024. He began his career in a much different venue with Merrill Lynch, where he managed large portfolios. After discovering a passion for helping others, he transitioned to social work, earning a Master’s in Social Work and becoming a licensed therapist. He rose through various roles at behavioral health organizations, eventually becoming Chief Operations Officer.
Turner’s experience and his vision of care blends perfectly with Waypoint’s mission to support those with substance use disorders. He also has extensive experience managing aftercare programs and supporting individuals in recovery.
Turner is a Licensed Certified Social Worker in Arkansas and South Carolina, and he holds both an MBA and a Master’s in Science.
Outside of work, Turner enjoys spending time with his wife, Kathy, and their three children, as well as traveling and enjoying the outdoors.
John E. Emmel, M.D., Medical Director
John E Emmel, MD, attended both undergraduate and medical school at Brown University in Providence, RI. He completed his Family Medicine Residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. He became interested in addiction during his residency and has been Medical Director of Charleston Center since 1980. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine. He has extensive experience in MAT, withdrawal management and the use of ASAM Criteria. He has served as the Medical Director at Waypoint Recovery Center since it opened. He also serves as Medical Director for the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) of SC. He holds a clinical faculty position at the Medical University of South Carolina in the departments of both Family Medicine and Psychiatry. Dr. Emmel also works in geriatrics and holds board certifications in Geriatrics, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
As a clinician and educator, Dr. Emmel approaches addiction as a biobehavioral disease requiring the same multimodal approaches as all chronic diseases do to optimize outcomes.
Virginia (Ginger) Beaty, LMSW, Director of Clinical Services
Ginger has over 25 years’ experience in the psychiatric and behavioral health field working as a therapist, program manager, and director of clinical services, focusing on acute psychiatric care, residential treatment, addiction treatment, adult and adolescent clinical treatment, program quality assurance, as well as oversight of program development and administration. Ginger has lived in Summerville, SC, for over 45 years with her husband and enjoys spending time with her three daughters and their families. Ginger is excited to be a part of the Waypoint team to help individuals overcome addiction and lead healthier lives.ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS- Bachelor of Arts, Social Work, Limestone University, Science, 1999
- Master of Arts, Social Work, University of South Carolina, 2003
Tiffany White, MS, LMHC Director of Admissions
Tiffany joined the Waypoint leadership team in March 2023. Originally from Jackson, MS, Tiffany lived the last 13 years in Florida before relocating to SC. She has one daughter who currently resides in Houston, TX. Tiffany received her B.S. in Psychology from Tougaloo College, her M.S. in Counseling and Human Resource Education from Jackson State University, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Healthcare Education from Walden University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Tiffany has 20 years of experience working in the behavioral health/addictions field and has worked in multiple settings and with many different populations during that time. According to Tiffany, working in inpatient is where she thrives and coming back to this setting has truly been a blessing. She likes being on the front lines when that call comes in for help and reports there is no greater joy for her than to help someone have the life they are longing for. In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school at her church. She also enjoys cooking/experimenting with new recipes and identified potatoes as her favorite food adding “they make all things better!” Spending time with her mother and daughter is most precious and enjoyable for her noting “when the three of us are together it is one big comedy show.
Dr. Tara Wright
Dr. Wright graduated from Albany Medical College in 2001 and went on to complete a residency and
fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. She is board-certified in both general adult psychiatry and addiction psychiatry. She is an assistant professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she served as the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Director for a number of years. Up until now, the bulk of her clinical and administrative experience has been within the Veterans Administration System. Before joining us, she served the Ralph H Johnson VAMC for 17 years. During her time there, she served as the Medical Director of their Substance Abuse Programs and later served as the assistant chief and then chief of mental health services. She is ultimately stepping out of leadership to focus back on her clinical work. Dr. Wright has a passion for working with individuals struggling with substance use disorders, particularly those individuals who are struggling with both psychiatric and substance abuse disorders.
