News

The 18th Spinal Cord Injury Symposium and the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) Joint Meeting, organized by the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Istanbul Medeniyet University’s Faculty of Medicine, was held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the Aşık Paşa Conference Hall on our South Campus with a high turnout.

Marking the 25th anniversary of this multidisciplinary, international symposium—which has been held since 2000—a quarter-century of scientific knowledge and clinical experience in the field of spinal cord injuries was discussed by leading experts in the field. Under this year’s theme, “25 Years of Experience in Spinal Cord Injury: Changing Patients, Unchanging Questions,” the program evaluated current treatment approaches, rehabilitation practices, prevention strategies, and multidisciplinary care processes.

The opening speeches of the symposium were delivered by Prof. Dr. Belgin Erhan, Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Istanbul Medeniyet University (IMU) Faculty of Medicine and Chair of the Symposium, as well as Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Halil Erdem, President of the Turkish Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Prof. Dr. Sadrettin Pençe, Dean of the Istanbul Medeniyet University Faculty of Medicine; Prof. Dr. Yaşar Bülbül, Vice Rector of Istanbul Medeniyet University; and Prof. Dr. Evren Yaşar, Rector of Yozgat Bozok University.

During a joint session organized in collaboration with the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), invited international speakers discussed clinical experiences and common challenges in various countries. This brought together local practices and a global perspective on the same platform.

As part of the conference, five scientific sessions—including one international session—were held, along with one social session featuring Paralympic athletes as guest speakers and one satellite session. The international session included guest speakers and a session chair from six different countries. The President of ISCoS delivered the opening address, while the President of the European Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ESPRM) served as session chair.

The symposium was successfully concluded not only as a meeting where the latest information was shared with physicians and healthcare professionals working in the field of spinal cord injuries, but also as a platform that deepened clinical decision-making processes and strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration.