Dr. Atila Turgay
ByIt is with sadness that I report that a doctor who was a true leader in ADHD in Canada and internationally passed away on April 8, 2010.
Dr. Atila Turgay had recently created the ‘Toronto ADHD Clinic’, where he was seeing a large number of children, teens and adults for ADHD. This was a service which was desperately needed, and it was particularly helpful that Dr. Turgay brought such expertise to this clinic. I am hopeful that after Dr. Turgay’s passing, that some of the other doctors who had started to help with this clinic will in fact carry on the important work that was started by Dr. Turgay.
Dr. Turgay participated in many research studies, and published extensively. You can see a summary of his research publications on Pubmed here.
Dr. Turgay also regularly spoke to members of the community – educating parents, kids/teens and adults with ADHD, educators, as well as other doctors. He was always able to provide up to date, scientifically backed information in a helpful and instructive way.
Dr. Turgay actually helped to start me in the direction of Child Psychiatry and ADHD. When I was in my fourth year medical school, I had a 2 week placement in family medicine at the Scarborough General Hospital. When I was speaking with my Family Medicine teachers, and mentioned that I was interested in Psychiatry, they encouraged me to spend some time with Dr. Turgay. When I met Dr. Turgay, I was impressed by his knowledge, his teaching ability and his interest in me as a student. I subsequently arranged to spend one month with him, during my internship. This month was an exposure to Child Psychiatry and ADHD, which helped to form my interest in this field.
Dr. Turgay’s influence was far reaching. When I was at his memorial service, I met several doctors – pediatricians, psychiatrists and family doctors who were working in the field of ADHD because Dr. Turgay had provided the teaching and mentorship to encourage them to go into this challenging and rewarding field of medicine.
In recent years, I would see Dr. Turgay as a colleague in many national ADHD meetings. He always contributed so much to the meetings. Out of respect for him as a teacher, I always called him ‘Dr. Turgay’, and he was trying to convince me to call him ‘Atila’ as we were colleagues now.
Dr. Turgay will be sorely missed. His impact as a doctor, teacher, researcher and speaker will be missed both in Canada and around the world. My condolences go to his family, friends and patients for having lost such a great man. I am grateful that I got to learn from him, and know him – and I hope that the work I do contributes to his legacy.
You can view his obituary here.
Best,
Dr. Kenny
I met with Dr. Turgay in late March for the beginning of my assessment for Adult ADHD. I was saddened to find out that he’d passed so shortly after I met him. He seemed so gentle, and kind, and intelligent.
Sorry for your loss – he was a light that shone brightly, or so that is the sense I got from the staff at the clinic after his untimely passing.
Mungo
Mungo,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with Dr. Turgay. For all that I wrote, I didn’t write about his patient’s experience of him.
Although you only knew him a short time, I really appreciate you sharing your impressions.
Dr. Kenny
First off.. my condolences.. I was actually diagnosed by dr turgay, but i found out that i need a written note by him of my conditions for my doctor.. Now i don’t know how to obtain this..
Sarah,
I would suggest you try contacting his office – I’m not sure if they have a doctor who is covering or working in the clinic who may be able to write that letter.
The other thing is that he most likely wrote a consultation note so that the referring doctor likely has a consult note which summarized Dr. T’s impressions.
Please accept my condolences.
Dr Turgay met with my son a couple of times. He was very kind and patient and willing to spend time to play chess etc while monitoring him. He indicated that my son has some ADD issues but would not prescribe medication as long as he is still doing okay at school. He suggested that I take my son back later should there be further challenges and he will then look into medication. I am really saddened to see a great doctor passing away so suddently. It is a big loss for ADD/ADHD patients.
Fran
So sorry to learn of Dr Turgays untimely demise. He was greatly respected and helped me when I took an overdose of all the wrong stuff, back in the day. He put me on the right track and I will always be in his debt. My condolancies go out to his family.