Neurologist Coşkun Özdemir passes away at 97

Prof. Dr. Coşkun Özdemir, a prominent neurologist and former president of the Istanbul Medical Chamber, has passed away at the age of 97.

A specialist in neuropsychiatry, Özdemir graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 1952. His academic and professional career included a period at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard University between 1969 and 1972.

Özdemir was a pioneer in the field of neuromuscular diseases in Turkey, having founded the Turkish Neuromuscular Diseases Association (KASDER) in 1978. He also served as the Head of the Department of Neurology at Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine from 1989 to 1996.

Beyond his scientific contributions, he was recognized for his leadership during the period following the September 12, 1980 coup, where he served as president of the Istanbul Medical Chamber, defending medical values and professional organization rights during a time of significant political pressure.