Turkish neurosurgeon Necmettin Pamir wins Golden Neuron Award

Prof. Dr. M. Necmettin Pamir, founding rector of Acıbadem University, received the World Academy of Neurological Surgery’s biennial Golden Neuron Award, becoming the second Turk to win it after M. Gazi Yaşargil.

Prof. Dr. M. Necmettin Pamir, founding rector of Acıbadem University and head of neurosurgery at Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital, has been awarded the 2026 Golden Neuron Award by the World Academy of Neurological Surgery (WANS).

Pamir at the award ceremony

The biennial award is regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in neurosurgery. Its previous recipients include leading neurosurgeons from the United States, Canada, Japan and Germany; the first Turkish recipient was Prof. Dr. M. Gazi Yaşargil in 2007. Pamir is the second.

The training and research hospital named after Prof. Dr. M. Gazi Yaşargil in Diyarbakır (archive)

"As physicians and scientists, we are proud to contribute to universal science and humanity. This award also confirms the international success of Turkish neurosurgery," the Nicosia-born Turkish Cypriot surgeon said. Acıbadem University’s Prof. Dr. Koray Özduman was also elected secretary general of WANS.