Wave Staff Report
SOUTH LOS ANGELES — As the nation paused to honor the healers who safeguard our well being on National Doctors Day March 30, one physician’s journey rises above the rest as an inspiring testament to resilience, purpose and the power of representation in the Black community.
Dr. Branden Turner, who practices family and sports medicine and is physician in charge at Kaiser Permanente Sports Medicine Center at Intuit Dome, is more than a doctor. He is a son of South Los Angeles — shaped by its challenges, fueled by its strength and committed to its future.
A family and sports medicine physician, Turner grew up in a neighborhood marked by gang violence, drug activity and the constant pressure to choose the wrong path. But he also grew up with a force stronger than those influences: his mother. A dedicated teacher, she filled his days with academics, sports and enrichment programs, leaving little room for trouble and planting the seeds of discipline and ambition.
“While attending middle and high school, I remember being approached by people trying to bring wrong influences on me,”
Turner recalled. “I would run home to escape gangs, shootings and violence. But I kept my focus on school, and after graduating from high school, I attended the University of California, Berkeley.”
After college, he spent time teaching algebra in Oakland before returning home to pursue medicine at USC’s School of Medicine. He later completed his residency in family and sports medicine at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center.
Today, Turner practices sports medicine and his presence at the Kaiser Permanente Sports Medicine Center at Intuit Dome is more than symbolic — it’s a full circle moment. He is not only a skilled and compassionate physician; he is a visible reminder to young people in South L.A. that excellence can come from their streets too.
Rooted in the legacy of his mother and grandmother, DTurner co-founded TRAP Medicine in 2017, a nonprofit that brings trustworthy medical information directly to the Black community through barbershops, social media and other culturally resonant spaces. His mission is simple but profound: make health knowledge accessible, relatable and empowering.
“I want to serve as a role model to young Black men and women, with the message that the sky is the limit,” he said.
His service extends far beyond the clinic. Dr. Turner regularly volunteers at health fairs, joins community cleanups, and helps feed the homeless — something he began doing at just 5 years old. His commitment is woven into every part of his life.
Reflecting on his dual role as physician and advocate, he said, “It’s a blessing and an honor to be a physician at Kaiser Permanente and to work in and serve the community that made me who I am. I grew up when no one gave me health information from someone who looked and sounded like me.
“Providing trustworthy information and motivating the next generation of young Black men and women to become doctors or health care experts is what keeps me going,” he added.
For Dr. Turner, medicine is more than a career — it’s a calling.
“Being a doctor is a blessing to me,” he said. “It gives me the means to help my community in a positive way. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
