A ceremony was held by the Faculty of Medicine at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), a pioneer in the field of health in its region, to celebrate March 14th Medicine Day.

The ceremony, organized in the Faculty of Medicine's Conference Hall, was attended by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Terzi, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Cengiz Çokluk, Chief Physician of the Faculty of Medicine Hospital Prof. Dr. Davut Güven, Deputy Dean Prof. Dr. Tevfik Sünter, Deputy Chief Physicians Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hatice Nilden Arslan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Sina Coşkun, as well as academics, administrative staff, and students.

Prof. Dr. Çokluk: "The medical profession is one rooted in the love of human life"

The ceremony, which began with a wreath-laying at the Atatürk Monument on the central Kurupelit Campus, included remarks by Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Cengiz Çokluk:

"Medicine Day was first celebrated on March 14, 1919, in Türkiye as a reaction to the occupation of Istanbul by invading and colonial forces, organized by medical students. Since then, March 14 has been celebrated by healthcare workers as the anniversary of the day the torch of liberation was lit. The medical profession is one rooted in the love of human life. The patriotism of medical students is founded on this love for human life."

"346 medical students were martyred during World War I"

Çokluk, highlighting the enduring spirit of medical students integrated with the National Forces during the National Struggle, said, “Starting from 1915, students of the Medical School volunteered on all fronts, especially in Çanakkale. In 1915, the Medical School was closed for a year due to the distribution of all teachers and students to military units. Throughout World War I, a total of 346 out of 765 medical students were martyred.”

"We are confident that the students we educate will take our country further forward"

Emphasizing that the medical profession has always been a symbol of compassion, sacrifice, and dedication throughout human history, Prof. Dr. Cengiz Çokluk continued:

"It should not be forgotten that solving the problems of the environment where health services are provided and of healthcare workers is a priority in delivering quality health services. One of the main components of achieving this is improving the quality of medical education. The major health problems experienced worldwide have once again shown how demanding the profession of medicine is, requiring not only knowledge and skills but also dedication. We are fully confident that the students we educate will take our country further forward as generations 'with free thought, free knowledge, and free conscience.' With these thoughts and feelings, I celebrate your March 14 Medicine Day."

The ceremony organized for March 14 Medicine Day concluded with a group photo.