A leading professional in the medical field, Steven D. Turnipseed began his career in the U.S. Army’s Special Forces Medical Counterinsurgency Program. While stationed in Thailand, Steven D. Turnipseed earned praise from Colonel Harold R. Aaron for his exceptional performance. Following his military service, Steven D. Turnipseed enrolled in the University of Washington’s inaugural MEDEX Northwest class. Upon finishing the MEDEX program as its first African American graduate, Steven D. Turnipseed joined Group Health Cooperative of Seattle. Due to his outstanding leadership skills, Steven D. Turnipseed received a promotion from Physician Assistant (PA) to Hospital Administrator. While studying for his Bachelor of Science in Medical Administration at SUNY Empire State College, Steven D. Turnipseed served as Assistant Professor of Health Sciences at SUNY Stony Brook University. After graduating from SUNY Empire State College in 1978, Steven D. Turnipseed returned to the West Coast, where he practiced as a PA at Family Care Medical Group in Compton, California, and Lemus Medical Center in Commerce, California. Steven D. Turnipseed then re-enrolled at the University of Washington, graduating with a Master of Public Health Administration in 1986. As one of the Founding Directors of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and former President of the Washington State Academy of Physician Assistants (WAPA), Steven D. Turnipseed helped connect PAs nationwide. Along with other key members of AAPA, Steven D. Turnipseed spearheaded the Minority Affairs Committee and created the first national PA certification exam. In appreciation, Steven D. Turnipseed received the WAPA Distinguished PA Award and induction into the AAPA Hall of Fame. Today, Steven D. Turnipseed serves as a PA at Paramount, California-based Centro Medico Santa Cruz, and he owns and operates his own health care business, 3T Associates, Inc. in Woodland Hills, California. Steven D. Turnipseed speaks conversational Spanish and Thai and enjoys recreational activities such as karate, mountain climbing, and listening to jazz.
