Faculty Spotlight: Can Özütemiz, MD
Dr. Can Özütemiz’s career has been guided by the words of his father, who would say, “Being an academic medical doctor is the best and the most honorable job in the world because it is a combination of the three best, most respected jobs. First, you are a medical doctor caring for sick people and making them better (most of the time!). Second, you are a teacher, and if you are a good teacher you would affect not only your students’ lives, but the lives of those whom your students have treated. Third, you’re a scientist, you can invent new discoveries or improve our current techniques to get better results throughout life and can again affect multiple lives throughout the world.”
Whether he is performing head, neck and spine biopsies, reading brachial plexus MRIs, or doing an epidural blood patch, Dr. Özütemiz likes the wide spectrum of his clinical work, as well as teaching. He is involved with all aspects of neuroradiology, from adult imaging to pediatric diseases.
A graduate of the prestigious Hacettepe University in Ankara Turkiye, he completed his residency at Dokuz Eylul University and came to the UMN for a neuroradiology fellowship, which opened many new doors. After completing back-to-back fellowships in pediatric neuroradiology, nuclear radiology and thoracoabdominal imaging, Dr. Özütemiz joined our faculty in the summer of 2020.
Dr. Özütemiz sees great potential in the use of 7T MRI in clinical neuroradiology, which is his latest research interest. He says, “At UMN, we are in the front line of improving this technology and patient care, thanks to the great minds and opportunities at CMRR.”
A family of doctors, Dr. Özütemiz’s mother was an ophthalmologist, and his father was a gastroenterology professor and department chief at Ege University School of Medicine. He also has a sister that graduated from law school. His wife, Ayca, is currently a resident in the diagnostic residency program at UMN, and together they have an 8 year old daughter, 5 year old son. Their most recent family activity is watching the entire Marvel Universe movie series together in timeline order.
Dr. Özütemiz is a huge NBA fan. At 11 years old, he would wake up at 2 or 4 am just to watch Jordan and Garnett play. He follows Euroleague Basketball (supporting the Fenerbahce and Efes teams) and tries to watch every Timberwolves game. He is very social and active and enjoys kitesurfing, skiing, and whisky tasting.
Find out more about Dr. Özütemiz on his UMN Faculty bio.
