The symposium began at 10:00 a.m. with opening speeches delivered in the Hierapolis Hall. Prior to the program, a folk dance performance and a Turkish folk music recital offered enjoyable moments for the attendees. The opening remarks emphasized the role of the family institution in public health and the importance of preventive healthcare services.

Following the opening ceremony, the coffee break and the baklava-coffee workshop contributed to the promotion of traditional flavors. In addition, the Turkish Cuisine Cooking Competition held in the Labada Gourmet Application Kitchen of the Faculty of Tourism received great interest from participants.

The scientific program of the symposium consisted of three panels. The first panel, chaired by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. İbrahim Türkçüer, focused on “Child Health and Mental Development in the Family.” Deputy Chief Physician Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gürbüz Akçay discussed the importance of physician-family cooperation in protecting children from accidents; Head of the Department of Child Psychiatry Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bürge Kabukçu Başay addressed mental development and family communication; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Emre from the Department of Family Medicine highlighted the role of child monitoring in primary care; and Prof. Dr. Tuğba Sarı from the Department of Infectious Diseases explained the place of vaccines in family health.

The second panel, chaired by Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Hakan Alkan, explored the theme “Family Support in Emergency and Chronic Diseases.” Deputy Chief Physician Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atakan Yılmaz discussed the role of family members in emergency management; Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Hakan Alkan presented the importance of family involvement in the rehabilitation process; Dr. Lecturer Emre Atmaca from the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology addressed the impact of orthopedic diseases on family life; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sıtkı Ün from the Department of Urology highlighted the importance of family support in chronic urological diseases.

The final session of the day, chaired by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Koluman from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Faculty of Technology, was held under the theme “Family-Centered Healthcare Services.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nurhan Meydan from the Department of Public Health discussed family-oriented strategies in preventive healthcare; Deputy Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Muhammet Arslan addressed methods for combating misinformation in health literacy; and Dr. Ahmet Koluman presented biomedical applications in family health.

As part of the post-symposium program, participants had the opportunity to explore the region’s historical and cultural heritage by visiting the Pamukkale Travertines, Hierapolis, and the ancient city of Laodicea on October 25, 2025.

The Honorary Committee of the event included Pamukkale University Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmud Güngör and Samarkand State Medical University Rector Prof. Dr. Rizayev Jasur Alimdjanovich. The symposium was organized by an executive committee chaired by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. İbrahim Türkçüer and Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Hakan Alkan, with Deputy Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Muhammet Arslan also serving on the committee.