Organized by the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Scientific Research Community, the 3rd Eastern Mediterranean International Medicine Students Congress (DAUTOK) was held online between 4 and 6 June 2021. World-renowned and expert scientists, medical students and physicians attended the congress, which was held under the theme of "Multidisciplinary Approaches to Cardiovascular Surgery in the Developing World" this year. The best presentations in the congress were awarded by the jury. Within the scope of the congress, while current issues in medicine and health were discussed, workshops that promote clinical skills and creativity were also held.
The opening speeches of the congress were delivered by the Congress Chair Ayçin Buse İzzettin, EMU Scientific Research Community President Kağan Ali Kolsarıcı and EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Nahide Gökçora. In her speech, Izzettin expressed her gratitude to those who contributed to the realization of the congress, expressing that this year was a year during which we once again understood the value of healthcare professionals. In his speech, Kolsarıcı underlined that 450 students from 30 different countries attended the congress and underlined that this was a source of pride. Kolsarıcı stated that the studies on cardiovascular surgery are promising.
Prof. Dr. Gökçora emphasized that the topics discussed at the event are based on scientific data and solid foundations. Emphasizing the importance of innovative approaches in Cardiovascular Surgery, Prof. Dr. Gökçora wished the congress to be fruitful and thanked all the participants.
After the opening speeches, Prof. Dr. Cengiz Köksal from Bezmialem Vakıf University made a presentation on “Current and Future Trends in Mitral Valve Surgery”. Prof. Dr. Köksal gave advice on how to become a better doctor. In his speech, Prof. Dr. Köksal emphasized that mitral repair surgeries are the gold standard in surgery. In his speech, Prof. Dr. Öztekin Oto from 9 Eylül University talked about “Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery in Children and Adults” and emphasized that minimally invasive cardiac surgery is more advantageous than others in terms of less scarring and aesthetic appearance.
Istanbul Koç University Hospital Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery Professor Ord. Prof. Dr. Afksendios Kalangos made a presentation on “Kalangos Foundation and Providing Cardiovascular Surgery Access to Children in the World”. Ord. prof. Dr. Kalangos emphasized the importance of humanitarian work in the field of cardiovascular surgery, recommending that humanitarian actions are part of medicine and that medical students work from the heart. Also at the congress, Specialist Dr. Murat Kınıkoğlu, in his presentation on “Vegan Nutrition and Heart Diseases”, talked about the positive effect of vegan nutrition on cardiovascular diseases and invited everyone to become vegan. On the other hand, Dr. Toniya Singh said in her presentation titled "New Information and Advances in the Treatment of Heart Diseases in Women" that women have less obvious symptoms in heart attack and more research is needed on this subject.
In addition to the presentations delivered by the keynote speakers during the congress, presentations by field experts, medical student presentations and workshops were also held in the sessions. “Mindfluness” by Dr. Ayşe Atasoylu and Dr. Mariyam Sohail, "The Unknown Face of Vaccine Studies" by Prof. Dr. Kaya Süer, “Introduction to Acceptance Therapy” by Prof. Dr. Axel Würz, “The Importance of Sign Language in Health” and “Nanotechnology Developments in Cardiovascular Surgery” by Dr. Ülvan Özad and "Let's Improve Our Posture" by Prof. Dr. Hakan Gunduz and Dr. Günay Yolcu were held. In addition to the scientific program, social workshops such as German, French, Chess Tournament and Kahoot Race were also successfully organized.
