In Memoriam

Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Marko Turina
January 23, 1937 – November 6, 2026

The Swiss Society for Cardiac and Thoracic Vascular Surgery (SGHC) bids farewell, with deep sorrow and profound gratitude, to Prof. Marko Turina—one of the most significant pioneers of Swiss and international cardiac surgery, co-founder and former president of our professional society, and an honorary member of the SGHC.

With his passing, cardiac surgery loses an extraordinary personality whose life's work decisively shaped the development of our specialty over decades. His legacy extends far beyond his surgical innovations and scientific achievements; it lives on, in particular, in the generations of cardiac surgeons whom he trained, mentored, and inspired.

A Pioneer of Modern Cardiac Surgery

Born in Zagreb in 1937, Marko Turina completed his medical studies at the University of Zagreb and continued his surgical training in Switzerland. He found his professional home at the University Hospital of Zurich, where, under the influence of Åke Senning, he grew to become one of the internationally most respected cardiac surgeons of his generation.

In 1985, he assumed the leadership of the Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery at the University Hospital of Zurich, developing it into an internationally renowned center for clinical innovation, research, and surgical training.

His outstanding achievements include groundbreaking contributions to the development of mechanical circulatory support systems, heart transplantation, and the surgery of congenital heart defects. As early as 1977, he was involved in one of the world's first clinical applications of an extra-thoracic artificial heart. His work on advancing cardiac surgery in infants and newborns, as well as his dedication to innovative surgical techniques, has permanently transformed treatment options for numerous patients.

In 1990, he also established cardiac surgery at the Triemli City Hospital in Zurich, thereby expanding the infrastructure for cardiac surgical care in Switzerland.

In addition to his clinical work, Marko Turina was exceptionally dedicated to academic medicine. As a professor and Dean of the Medical Faculty at the University of Zurich, he shaped medical research and teaching far beyond his own specialty.

A Trailblazer of Our Professional Society and European Cardiac Surgery

Marko Turina was closely associated with our professional society from its very inception. In 1986, he was among the co-founders of both the SGHC and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS).

From 1995 to 1996, he served as President of our society. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, he was appointed an honorary member of the SGHC in 2016.

On the European level as well, he played a decisive role in developing a shared scientific and professional identity for cardiac and thoracic surgery. As the first Secretary General and later President of EACTS from 2001 to 2002, he significantly shaped the establishment and international outreach of this organization.

His commitment was particularly directed toward promoting scientific excellence, international exchange, and advanced surgical training. With the founding of the Multimedia Manual of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, he also provided vital impulses for the digital dissemination of surgical techniques.

In 2025, EACTS honored his extraordinary lifetime work with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Turina School: A Legacy That Lives On

Perhaps one of his greatest and most enduring merits lies in the surgical school he founded.

Marko Turina was not only an outstanding surgeon and scientist, but also a teacher and mentor who shaped generations of cardiac surgeons. He imparted far more than operative techniques: surgical precision, scientific curiosity, the highest standards of quality, personal responsibility, and the absolute pursuit of the best possible treatment for our patients.

Many of his students later assumed leadership of cardiac surgical clinics themselves, passing on his principles and experiences to subsequent generations.

Thus, a surgical tradition emerged that extends far beyond the University Hospital of Zurich. The "Turina School" lives on to this day in numerous cardiac surgery centers across Switzerland. Its principles are lived out daily in the operating room, in clinical decision-making, and in the training of young surgeons, and are passed down to future generations.

This demonstrates the extraordinary scope of his life's work: Marko Turina not only decisively advanced the cardiac surgery of his own time, but also sustainably shaped its further development through his students and their students.

A Special Connection to Our 40th Anniversary

In the year 2026, both the SGHC and EACTS are celebrating their 40th anniversary. Both societies were co-founded in 1986 by Marko Turina, who dedicated decades to their development and the promotion of our specialty.

A remarkable and moving temporal coincidence links his passing with this anniversary:

On November 6, 2026—precisely on the day of his passing—the SGHC published its anniversary post on LinkedIn titled "40 Years of the SGHC: Honouring Our Pioneers. Advancing Excellence. Shaping Our Future." In it, Marko Turina was explicitly recognized as one of the great pioneers of Swiss cardiac surgery. The post had been prepared independently of his death and was published without knowledge of this sad news.

This special timing lends an additional layer of meaning to our tribute. It reminds us of our responsibility to preserve and carry forward the legacy of those personalities upon whose achievements today's cardiac surgery is built.

In Gratitude and Honored Remembrance

The Swiss Society for Cardiac and Thoracic Vascular Surgery bows before the extraordinary life's work of Marko Turina.

His surgical achievements, his scientific foresight, his dedication to our professional society, and above all the surgical school shaped by him will live on in Swiss cardiac surgery.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family, his loved ones, and all those who had the privilege of accompanying him as a teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend.

On the occasion of our next General Assembly, we will honor his memory with a moment of silence.

We lose a great pioneer. His legacy remains alive.

In profound gratitude and honored remembrance,

Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Huber

President of the Swiss Society for Cardiac and Thoracic Vascular Surgery (SGHC)

On behalf of the entire SGHC Board