This was the 14th occasion of the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Medicine choosing its Alum of the Year. Nominations were accepted for University alumni who have contributed significantly to society and, thus, promoted public engagement in Faculty fields.
The 2025 Alum of the Year is Juha Pekka Turunen, Specialist in Pathology and Doctor of Medical Science, who was appointed Secretary General of the Cancer Society of Finland in 2022. At the University of Helsinki and its Faculty of Medicine, Turunen progressed from the Degree Programme in Medicine to doctoral studies, eventually advancing to specialist training. His development as an expert did not end there, however, as he has continued to expand his competencies throughout his career. Turunen considers leadership essential in the medical profession and has dedicated himself to developing the necessary skills. He plays an active role in both Finnish and international organisations that contribute significantly to effective healthcare through public engagement and interaction.
– Effective leadership in practice combines the ability to lead oneself, guide others, and manage both issues and processes. Changing any single part of this three-dimensional framework always changes the entire structure, he notes.
Turunen's active involvement began during his studies when he took on significant responsibilities in the University of Helsinki medical students’ association and later the Junior Doctors’ Association in Finland. This involvement and his long-term work at the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim led him to his current role as Secretary General of the Cancer Society of Finland.
FROM SURPRISER TO SURPRISED
Throughout the years, Turunen has notified many individuals of their receipts of prizes and witnessed their reactions firsthand. This time, he was the one taken by surprise.
– I was utterly but pleasantly surprised when Kari Reijula called to tell me the news. I now understand how wonderful it is to receive that kind of call, he says.
While his job alone provides Turunen with multiple connections to Meilahti Campus, he is also eager to network more widely and work together on creating ideas for new projects and initiatives. The preparation of the first Finnish national cancer strategy, in which the University of Helsinki is involved through the Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN) collaboration, is expected to conclude in late spring 2025. Turunen cites this strategy as a prime example of work with considerable social significance. It will form the basis for preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer in the years ahead.
MANY LEVELS OF INFLUENCE
Turunen believes that influence operates on multiple levels. It is important to recognise that, in the context of public engagement, influence is far-reaching and must be sustained over time. We operate in a European framework, and alongside national changes, we must consider, for example, EU directives.
– Influence requires the most effort. It must be based on knowledge and experience. In addition, the consequences of decisions must be monitored and measured. Often it’s more useful to listen than speak. And it’s a good idea to step back for a moment if you don’t have to make a decision right away, he says.
In terms of influence, Turunen himself is an excellent example of how active involvement in networks fosters new ideas and perspectives and helps achieve a notable impact.
REDEFINING EXPERTISE
The notion of clear-cut career paths has been shifting for a while, which is evident in the increasingly varied roles of alumni as well. At the Faculty of Medicine, this diversification has made multidisciplinary approaches more prominent in education and research from the perspectives of both healthcare and individual wellbeing. When factoring in significant technological transformation and the evolving role of AI in the Faculty’s fields, what stands out alongside long-term basic research is the focus on addressing meaningful research questions.
Turunen feels he gained valuable work experience through his roles as a specialisation-stage assistant and clinical instructor. The versatile duties provided him not only with specific professional expertise, but also the willingness to genuinely challenge himself.
– Going forward, AI will challenge us to develop in ways that set our work apart from AI-generated outcomes. Although random factors influence our choices, it is important to prepare for a range of employment and career options. Seek out experiences that feel right for you, he states.
Turunen highlights the important role of prevention for cancer too. He believes that, as Finland is still building its system of wellbeing services counties, health promotion often takes a back seat to the focus on treating illness. Incorporating comprehensive patient interaction in multidisciplinary teams into the educational stage establishes a foundation for a more effective welfare system that can tackle resource-related issues. In this broader context, the creative insights and idea exchanges between experts from various fields, as called for by Turunen, are an area where the Faculty of Medicine can lead by example.