Health and wellness chief leaving after 26 years with company

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president and general merchandise manager for consumables and health and wellness at Sam’s Club, plans to retire at the end of the fiscal year.

Jill Turner-Mitchael

Turner-Mitchael joined Walmart in 1992 as a pharmacist in Lubbock, Texas. During her subsequent 26 years with the company, she led a number of teams at both Walmart and Sam’s Club, including Walmart Pharmacy Operations and the Sam’s Club Merchandising, Operations, and Health and Wellness divisions. For her many contributions to the organization, she received the Sam M. Walton “Blue Coat” Award of Excellence. She was named to her current position in February 2008.

“Jill leaves a lasting legacy, both as a merchant and as a disruptor in the health care industry,” a Walmart spokeswoman said in an email on Wednesday. “Her passion in raising awareness of health and wellness issues and in testing exciting new concepts in clubs such as free screenings, health kiosks and caregiver support programs has helped the company to become a leader in affordable health care. Jill has also made a strong impact on associates throughout the company with her mentorship and focus on championing women’s advancement in the workplace.”

Sam’s Club has not yet named a successor, the spokeswoman said.