Dr. Ethem Yildirim Kuzucu, a prominent anesthesiologist in Chattanooga for many years, died on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009, at his home surrounded by loved ones.
Dr. Kuzucu was an anesthesiologist at Parkridge Hospital from 1971 to 1986, serving as chief of anesthesiology from 1971 to 1975. He worked part-time as a staff anesthesiologist at Erlanger hospital between 1988 and 1996.
He was a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology, a fellow of the American College of Anesthesiologists and a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. He also was a member of the American Medical Association and American Society of Anesthesiologists.
Born in Akhisar, Turkey, in 1930 to Refik and Mufide Kuzucu, he came to the United States in 1958 after receiving his medical degree from the Medical School of Istanbul University.
Dr. Kuzucu completed his anesthesiology residency at Yale University Medical Center in 1963. He was assistant professor of anesthesiology at M.D. Anderson Hospital and University of Texas Dental School from 1963 to 1965. He served as chief of anesthesiology at the Guthrie Clinic in Sayre, Pa., and director of the residency program and the School for Nurse Anesthesia at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre from 1965 to 1969.
He was associate chief anesthesiologist at Baltimore City Hospital and assistant professor of anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore from 1969 to 1970. He served as associate director of anesthesiology at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Ct. from 1970 to 1971.
Dr. Kuzucu authored articles in numerous medical publications and presented papers and scientific exhibits at several medical meetings and symposia.
He received his MBA from UTC in 1979.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Melody Lyew, Parkland, Fla., Melinda Foster, Bristol, Va., Melissa Vickers, Scottsboro, Ala., and Dr. Mark Kuzucu, Boca Raton, Fla.; sister, Necla Aka, Istanbul, Turkey; six grandsons and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral and burial will be private.
Honorary pallbearers will be sons-in-law, Richard Lyew, J. Todd Foster, and Micheal Vickers; brothers-in-law, Mike Laurendine and Charlie Dickas; and nephew, Chas Dickas.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society.
The family will receive friends between 5-8 p.m. on Monday at Wann Funeral Home.