Dr. Nigahus “Nick” Karabulut prominent infectious disease, internal medicine, and addiction medicine specialist passed away peacefully in his home in Pennington, New Jersey surrounded by his family on July 21, 2021.
Born in Istanbul, Turkey, he was the eldest son of the late Donik and Hayguhi Karabulut. He is survived by his beloved wife Debra and his four children John, Melissa, Sarah, and Aram, his siblings Aret and Lusin, and his five grandchildren, John, Allison, Sofia, Lilly, and Dorothea.
Dr. Karabulut was a well-renown physician in Mercer County with a distinguished medical career that spanned a total of 40 years stretching from Istanbul, Turkey to New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania. A 1981 graduate of Istanbul University Medical School, Dr. Karabulut emigrated to the United States and completed his residency with Trenton Affiliated Hospitals, where he later became chief resident. Thereafter, Dr. Karabulut completed his fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of Maryland School of Medicine where he served as the Acting Hospital Epidemiologist and Chairman of the Infection Control Committee.
Dr. Karabulut predominantly served his local community in Mercer County, New Jersey at St. Francis Medical Center and Helene Fuld Hospital-Capital Health System where he served as the President of the Medical Staff. Dr. Karabulut was a pioneer in the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients first securing federal funding through the Ryan White Care Act in 1993 to treat uninsured and underinsured individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Mercer County, New Jersey. Dr. Karabulut was recognized for his 25 years of service to the HIV Community by the Mercer County Medical Society, and as Citizen of the Year by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey. Moreover, he was recognized for his work with the Ryan White Care Act for treating HIV/ AIDS patients by the Clinton Administration. More recently, Dr. Karabulut also treated individuals with substance abuse disorders in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Karabulut also served as principal investigator and medical director of the Infectious Disease Center at St. Francis Medical Center.
Despite an exemplary career of medical service and community engagement, Dr. Karabulut will be best remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Please select Delaware Valley Chapter-Philadelphia Office (www.cff.org/philadelphia/).
Family and friends can leave a message for the family at www.blackwellmh.com