Patricia L. Turner facts for kids

Patricia L. Turner is an American doctor who specializes in general surgery. This means she performs many different types of operations. She made history by becoming the first African American woman to lead the American College of Surgeons. This important organization helps surgeons learn and improve their skills. Dr. Turner started her role as the executive director and CEO on January 1, 2022.

Becoming a Doctor

Dr. Turner studied biology at the University of Pennsylvania. After that, she earned her medical degree from the Wake Forest School of Medicine. While in medical school, she did research on how brain cells develop. In May 2023, her old medical school gave her a special award. It was called the Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing her great work in medicine and surgery.

After medical school, Dr. Turner continued her training. She worked as an intern and resident in surgery at the Howard University Hospital. During this time, she also spent two years doing research at the National Institutes of Health. Her research there looked at how kidneys manage salt and other important body processes.

Later, Dr. Turner received special training in new surgical methods. This included minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery. These techniques use small cuts and special tools, which can help patients recover faster. She completed this training at several top medical centers.

In 2020, Dr. Turner also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. This degree helps her understand how to manage large organizations.

Dr. Turner's Career

Dr. Turner worked for eight years at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. There, she helped train new surgeons. She also managed the surgical acute care unit, which helps patients who need urgent surgery.

She was also a professor of surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine. Today, she is a clinical professor of surgery at the Pritzker School of Medicine.

In October 2011, Dr. Turner joined the American College of Surgeons. She first led their Member Services Division. In early 2022, she took on the top job as the executive director of the entire organization.

Dr. Turner has also held many other important leadership roles. From 2016 to 2017, she was the president of the Society of Black Academic Surgeons. She was the first woman to lead this group. She has also served on the boards of other medical organizations. These include the Council on Medical Specialty Societies and the American Medical Association. She also helps guide OceanFirst Bank and Wake Forest University as a board member.

Research and Publications

Throughout her career, Dr. Turner has been involved in scientific research. Her early work focused on how the body's kidneys handle salt. More recently, her research has looked at new ways to train surgeons. This includes teaching them about laparoscopic surgery.

From 2005 to 2009, Dr. Turner was on the editorial board for Surgery News. This is a newspaper for surgeons. She has also written many articles for important medical journals. These include The American Surgeon and the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Turner is often asked to share her knowledge. She has been quoted in articles and appeared on television. She talks about important topics like healthcare, surgery, and how to care for patients with cancer or injuries. She was also a guest on C-SPAN, where she discussed healthcare in the US.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Turner has received many awards for her excellent work. These include the National Institutes of Health Fellows Award for Research Excellence. She also received the Outstanding Woman Resident Award from the Association of Women Surgeons. Other honors include the Claude H. Organ, MD, FACS, Traveling Fellowship and the State of Maryland's Henry Welcome Award.

She is also a member of Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), which is a special honor society for medical students and doctors. In May 2025, the graduating class at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine chose Dr. Turner to give their commencement speech. This is a great honor, as it means the students looked up to her and her achievements.