Todd Turner, M.D.

PHYSICIAN Q&A
Todd Turner, M.D. returns to Pasadena

One of the newest additions to HMF’s medical team is a Pasadena native who was born at Huntington Memorial Hospital.

Name?

Todd Turner, M.D.

Specialty?

Internal medicine

Why Internal Medicine?

I considered radiology at one point, but decided I’d rather spend more time interacting with patients and their families. Besides, I’d probably fall asleep being in the dark all the time.

When did you join HMF?

May 2004.

Where did you study?

USC! I spent most of the 80's there. I earned my B.S. and M.A. in Chemistry from USC, as well as my medical degree. I completed my residency in internal medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Born and raised in Pasadena, you went back and forth to Chicago twice. Why?

Chicago is great! The first time I was there, I was fortunate to be part of the team at the Institute for Critical Care Medicine. It‘s an internationally known research center for everything relating to immediate, life-saving medical care. During my time there I contributed to several articles on topics such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

I returned to Pasadena for medical school, and then returned east for my residency four years later. I miss Chicago, but am glad to be home.

How did you handle your first Chicago winter?

Not bad for a Californian. Of course, I heard the key to survival was dressing in layers, so I put on every sweater and jacket I had when the first big storm hit. The rest of the season, I dreamt of spending Christmas in shorts.

What have you been doing since returning to Southern California?

Until I joined HMF, I was practicing medicine in Woodland Hills.

What’s next on your agenda?

Settling into the new office, moving back to Pasadena, and preparing for our second child. My wife and I are expecting another little girl in August, and I am just starting to deal with the realization that I will be out numbered for the rest of my life!