‘The Teacher of Teachers’ Prof. Osman Hayran has passed away

Prof. Osman Hayran, Founding Chair of the Department of Public Health at the School of Medicine of Istanbul Medipol University, has passed away. Widely regarded as one of Türkiye’s leading academics in the fields of public health, epidemiology, and health management, Hayran’s death has been met with profound sorrow throughout the academic and healthcare communities.

A LIFETIME DEVOTED TO ACADEMIA AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Throughout his professional career, Prof. Osman Hayran made significant contributions to the fields of public health, epidemiology, health policy, and health management. He played an instrumental role in the education and training of thousands of physicians and healthcare professionals.

After graduating from the School of Medicine at Hacettepe University, Hayran completed his specialization in Public Health at the same institution. He served at Karadeniz Technical University,Marmara University, Yeditepe University, and Istanbul Medipol University. He was awarded the title of Associate Professor in 1988 and that of Professor in 1994. During his distinguished academic career, he served as Dean of the Schools of Medicine at both Marmara University and Yeditepe University. Most recently, he was serving as Chair of the Department of Public Health at the School of Medicine of Istanbul Medipol University.

PRESIDENT GÜNTÜRK: HE WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE ON THROUGH THE GENERATIONS HE HAS RAISED 

President of Istanbul Medipol University Prof. Bahadır Kürşat Güntürk stated that the passing of Prof. Osman Hayran represents a profound loss for the university community, emphasizing that Hayran left an indelible mark on the Turkish medical world through his scholarly expertise, academic leadership, and the generations of students he educated.

President Güntürk continued:

“Throughout a professional career spanning more than half a century, Prof. Osman Hayran was not only an academic who produced knowledge, but also an intellectual who guided others through the depth of his thought, an educator who left a lasting impact through the students he mentored, and a scholar who consistently prioritized social responsibility in the field of healthcare. Through his contributions to public health, his influence on health policy, and the generations he trained, he earned a distinguished place in the academic memory of our country.

From the very foundation of our university, Prof. Osman Hayran contributed significantly to our institutional development through his knowledge, experience, and vision. He was an exemplary academic who embraced the principle of placing science at the service of humanity. The works he produced, the ideas he championed, and the students he educated will continue to preserve and carry forward his name and legacy.

We remember our esteemed professor with mercy and gratitude, and extend our condolences and wishes of patience to our entire university community, particularly our School of Medicine and International School of Medicine, as well as to his family, loved ones, students, and the broader healthcare community.”

PROF. SABAHATTİN AYDIN: HE WAS A MENTOR WHO LEFT A PROFOUND IMPACT
In a statement regarding the passing of Prof. Osman Hayran, Prof. Sabahattin Aydın, Founding President of Istanbul Medipol University, described his death as a great loss for the medical community.

Aydın stated:

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Prof. Osman Hayran, the founding chair of the Department of Public Health at our School of Medicine, who devoted his life to education and science and contributed to the development of dozens of academics through his guidance in the fields of public health and health management.”

Emphasizing that Hayran was exemplary not only for his scientific accomplishments but also for his personal qualities, Aydın added:

“We remember our esteemed professor with gratitude and appreciation. Beyond his scientific guidance, academic mentorship, and exemplary role as an educator, he left a profound impact through his inclusive character, which rewarded honesty, diligence, and competence while allowing no room for discrimination of any kind.”

PROF. RECEP ÖZTÜRK: PROF. HAYRAN WAS A ‘TEACHER OF TEACHERS’
Prof. Recep Öztürk, Vice President of Istanbul Medipol University also described Prof. Osman Hayran as a “teacher of teachers” in his message of condolence.

Öztürk stated:

“Prof. Osman Hayran, the ‘teacher of teachers,’ who dedicated his life to public health and epidemiology, carried out numerous administrative responsibilities, including deanships, with distinction, and educated thousands of physicians, healthcare professionals, and hundreds of scientists, has departed this earthly life.”

Drawing attention to Hayran’s distinguished scholarly journey, which extended from Hacettepe University to Istanbul Medipol University, Öztürk noted that he never regarded medicine merely as a matter of knowledge and technical expertise. He emphasized that Hayran always approached the medical profession through a perspective that placed humanity, society, and conscience at its centre. Öztürk further stated that, at a time when human beings are increasingly objectified and healing is transformed into a commercial commodity, Hayran consistently maintained a principled stance against the dangers of both the “medicalization of life” and the “commodification of medicine.”

Öztürk also remarked that through his articles, scholarly works, and lifelong pursuit of truth from the clinic to the lecture hall, Prof. Hayran left behind an enduring torch illuminating the path toward preserving the honour and dignity of the medical profession. He noted that this esteemed scholar, who embraced justice in healthcare, fairness, and the ethical virtues of medicine as his guiding principles, left a lasting mark on the world of Turkish medicine.

Öztürk concluded his message with the following words:

“I pray for God’s mercy upon our esteemed professor and extend my condolences and wishes of patience to his grieving family, his students, and the entire medical community.”  

PROF. ASLI ÇAKIR: HE WAS AN EXEMPLARY SCHOLAR BOTH IN KNOWLEDGE AND IN CHARACTER
Prof. Aslı Çakır, Dean of the School of Medicine at Istanbul Medipol University, stated that Prof. Osman Hayran made significant contributions to medical education and the field of public health. Çakır remarked:

“It is with profound sorrow that we learned of the passing of our esteemed professor, Prof. Osman Hayran, who made invaluable contributions to the development of our School of Medicine and served as an exemplary academic through his scholarly expertise, scientific productivity, and commitment to educating future generations. We remember with respect and mercy our distinguished professor, who always guided his students, colleagues, and collaborators. I extend my deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and the entire healthcare community.”

PROF. ABDÜLKADİR ÖMER: THE LEGACY HE LEFT BEHIND WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE ON
Prof. Abdülkadir Ömer, Dean of the International School of Medicine at Istanbul Medipol University, also emphasized that Prof. Osman Hayran was an exemplary physician and educator distinguished by his scholarly character and academic leadership.

Ömer stated:

“Prof. Osman Hayran was a distinguished scholar who will be remembered not only for his knowledge and experience, but also for the values he imparted to his students, colleagues, and the healthcare community. For more than fifty years, he made significant contributions to the development and institutionalization of public health services in Türkiye, both within universities and at the local level. From the establishment of our university onward, he enriched its academic development and contributed to the education of multiple generations through his knowledge and experience.

His contributions to the field of public health, the students he mentored, and the scholarly works he produced will continue to illuminate the path for future generations. I pray for God’s mercy upon our highly esteemed professor and extend my condolences and wishes of patience to his family, loved ones, and the entire academic community.”

A SIGNIFICANT LEGACY TO THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY
Throughout his academic career, Prof. Osman Hayran authored numerous scientific studies. In addition to his research in public health and epidemiology, he was also widely recognized for his work on health policy and healthcare systems.

Through the students he mentored, the scientific contributions he produced, and the ideas he advanced, Prof. Osman Hayran made substantial contributions to the field of public health. He leaves behind a powerful scholarly legacy and countless students who will continue to benefit from his influence and example.