Turkish Medical Association Nusret Fişek Public Health Service Award

Abstract

This article presents observations and reflections on a commemorative ceremony held in honor of Nusret Fişek, one of the founding figures of public health in Turkey. The event took place on 3 November 2025, marking the 35th anniversary of his death, and was organized jointly by the Turkish Medical Association and the Public Health Specialists’ Association. The program highlighted Fişek’s pivotal contributions to the institutionalization of the public health discipline in Turkey. Advocating a community-based approach to health services, he played a key role in major structural reforms, including strengthening primary health care, establishing education and research regions, and contributing to the preparation of the legislation widely known as the “Socialization Law,” which aimed to ensure equitable and accessible health services. He also supported professional organization through his roles as Director of the School of Public Health and President of the Central Council of the Turkish Medical Association. By conceptualizing health not merely as a biomedical phenomenon but as one shaped by social, economic, and environmental determinants, Fişek positioned public health as an interdisciplinary field. The TMA Nusret Fişek Public Health Service Award was presented to Prof. Dr. Şerife Reyhan Uçku and Prof. Dr. Ayşe Akın, whose speeches highlighted the continuing influence of Fişek’s intellectual and professional legacy.