The Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Ankara University’s School of Medicine has trained and developed many academicians in terms of almost every sub-branch of Orthopedics, from the very first day it was established. Masters such as Professor Güngör Sami Çakırgil and Professor Rıdvan Ege played important roles in the development of spinal surgery in a certain manner, which is also known as the ‘Ankara Medical School Approach’ After these two masters, Professor İlker Çetin (now retired) took over the task, and he was also a pioneer and contributed to the development of Turkish Spinal Surgery countrywide. He then diverted his area of interest to arthroplasty and obtained a great reputation, not only in Turkey but also at international platforms. As he began his interest in arthroplasty, he handed over his former task to two professors (Professor Derya Dinçer and Professor Tarık Yazar). In this biography, the life stories of these significant figures and their endeavors for the development of Turkish Spinal Surgery are told in two chapters. The first chapter includes the studies of Professor İlker Çetin, and the second discusses Professor Derya Dinçer and Professor Tarık Yazar. On behalf of their students, we aim to also emphasize our appreciation and gratitude to them.

Keywords: İlker Çetin, scoliosis, thoracolumbar spinal fractures, spinal surgery