A ceremony was held at Erciyes Cultural Center by the Faculty of Medicine on the occasion of “March 14 Medicine Day”.

The guests watched a video prepared for the physicians working at ERU Faculty of Medicine at the ceremony that started with a moment of silence and the singing of the Turkish National Anthem.

Then, the senior officials started to make a speech.

Memduh Büyükkılıç, Metropolitan Mayor, who started his speech congratulating his wife and son and all healthcare professionals on the March 14 Medicine Day, addressed all healthcare workers saying: “Esteemed colleagues, how a nice community that serves people. I am glad that you perform such a sacred profession. I hope we will make a progress and continue to produce. We have adopted the principle, “Let the people live so that the state lives”. In this regard, we forget ourselves, work devotedly and make sacrifice for our patients. Therefore, you are always ahead, a pioneer, and valuable in the eyes of society. You should not overshadow your profession and service highlighting the wrongs against the physicians with corrupt understanding in society because our profession is not the one that will be overshadowed.”

Our Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Hakan Poyrazoğlu celebrated the March 14 Medicine Day of all healthcare professionals and stated that March 14 is not an ordinary day when people make speeches and celebrate each other. He said: “March 14 is a day when the Turkish doctors defend their independence, country, and homeland, and say “We are here”, “Stop”, against the imperialist powers that have an eye on the existence and integrity of our country. March 14 has spirit. We will then have really understood and celebrated the March 14.”

Emphasizing the importance of independence, Prof. Dr. Cemal Alper Kemaloğlu, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, said: “In countries that cannot maintain their independence, the grief of civilians is plunged into the darkness, evil becomes common, and the human dignity is injured. It is not coincidence that medicine is a respected profession all over the world because all people are curious about themselves, but very few people discover their perfection so deeply paying the price. I am proud to say that ERU Faculty of Medicine has an exceptional place in the world and in Türkiye. We have physicians who found vaccine for the sake of national health initiative, and we have brave doctors who provided full support during a disaster. Therefore, I am grateful to all our academic and administrative staff members who have ensured the rise of our faculty in science and humanity. We are a big family with our faculty members, administrative staff, and students. Just as there are many good things this family has done, there are many more good things to do. The secret of success and quality is not in the destination, but in the journey taken together.”

Stating that he was honored to celebrate the March 14, a symbol of medical students’ resistance to the occupation, on the 100th anniversary of the Republic, Assoc. Prof. Türkmen Bahadır Arıkan, Chairman of Kayseri Chamber of Medicine, said: “Being representatives of this mission and standing against difficulties give us strength and hope. Kayseri Chamber of Medicine, with its tradition of more than 20 years, is the voice of physicians, applauds good actions, and expresses its objections to others.”

Prof. Dr. Aykut Özdarendeli, Director of Vaccine Research and Development Center (ERAGEM), made a presentation on “Future’s Physicians: Life-changing Decisions and Perseverance”. He talked about the importance of determination and perseverance in the difficult yet sacred journey of medicine and said: “In every aspect of life, there are many moments when everyone’s paths cross with these esteemed professionals healing and showing affection to us in our most desperate moments. Apart from their knowledge and experience, our physicians also touch the lives of people and give them hope; therefore, we are grateful to them. Our essential power on this path should be our perseverance. We will face many obstacles. Some obstacles will even discourage us on this path; however, every problem we face and overcome will make us stronger in the next step.”

Muharrem Özer, Representative of Medical Residents, pointed out that the love of country has always been the priority of medical students. He said that being a physician is established on a solid foundation laid with extensive and deep knowledge and experience just like the parts that make up the structure of a pyramid and added that this profession exists with a conscience including endless patience and empathy, love of humanity, morality and compassion.

Akın Can Aydın, Term 5 Representative, said: “We are physicians, mostly sleepless and sometimes sleepy. We struggle with all kinds of difficulties courageously on the front line. At the time of epidemic, we could not go home for days when people did not leave their homes to avoid infection. When an earthquake occurred, we tried to help other people hold on to life without mourning for ourselves. In wartime, we provide hope for the wounded and become martyrs for our country when needed. No matter how difficult the conditions are, physicians have always been a hope for all humanity, especially for their homeland. The one who loves his/her country is the one who does his/her job best.”

After speeches, certificates of appreciation were presented to the physicians who carried out quality academic studies in 2023.

Then, faculty members entitled to new academic titles wore their academic gowns.