In Memoriam: Aslan Turer
Aslan Turer, M.D., M.H.S., M.B.A., Professor in the Division of Cardiology, died at his home after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his family, on Friday, May 17. He was 49.
Dr. Turer’s work ethic was surpassed only by his dedication to his family. His wife, Christy Turer, an Associate Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine, and their five children, Sebastian, Edison, Linus, Charley, and Jack, will miss his sense of humor, selflessness, and devotion, especially his contributions to the household chores and school-related activities.
He found great comfort in his work and in giving back to his patients and colleagues, even on days when he was feeling poorly. His many patients and colleagues will miss his warm and endearing nature that would so often brighten their days.
Dr. Turer held a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California Los Angeles. He earned his medical degree from the University of California San Francisco, and received internal medicine residency training, followed by a cardiology fellowship, and a coronary and structural interventional cardiology fellowship at Duke University Medical Center, where he also conducted postdoctoral research. He also held a Master of Health Sciences degree from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University.
He joined the faculty at UT Southwestern in 2009. In 2011, he received the L. David Hillis Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching. He was known regionally and nationally within the field of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and led the program at UT Southwestern to become a Center of Excellence, a distinction held by only about 40 hospitals in the U.S. In 2016, he became the Medical Director of the Clinical Heart and Vascular Center. He was also involved in major clinical trials in the field of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other heart conditions, helping to bring new care options to his patients.
Aslan Teyfik Turer was born on Aug. 8, 1974, to Hiltrud and Erol Turer, both physicians. His younger brother, Emre, followed him to UT Southwestern, where he is now an Assistant Professor in the Center for Genetics of Host Defense.
A patron of eclectic arts, Dr. Turer played the clarinet, collected vinyl records and stamps, participated in philatelic societies and conifer clubs, enjoyed fly fishing, and was an avid reader. Later in life, he became an accomplished home cook and a gifted watercolorist.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his parents and his brother.