Doctors in Turkey — Page 38

Dr. Ibrahim Cansaran Tanidir is a professor of pediatric cardiology at Memorial Ataşehir Hospital. He ranked second in Turkey on the 2017 National Pediatric Cardiology Board Certification Exam. Dr. Tanidir co-founded the Pediatric Cardiology Department at Başakşehir Çam & Sakura City Hospital.

• Performed over 250 therapeutic angiography procedures during international medical missions.
• Trained at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Fuwai Heart Center in China.
• Published over 100 international articles with more than 1,200 scientific citations.
• Served as a vice president for the Interventional Cardiology Working Group.

Dr. Funda Tekkeşin is a pediatric hematology and oncology specialist at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital (2025–present). She previously worked at Acıbadem Ataşehir (2024–2025) and at Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital (2016–2024). At Ümraniye, she served in the Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation Unit (2020–2024). She received her MD from Hacettepe University (1995–2002). She completed a pediatric hematology–oncology fellowship at Gazi University (2010–2015).

Her expertise includes pediatric hematology and oncology, stem cell and bone marrow transplantation, childhood leukemia and lymphoma, benign and immune-related hematologic disorders, and supportive oncology care. She has published in the Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. She is a member of the Turkish Society of Hematology. She contributes to national and multicenter collaborations.

Dr. Cihan Meral is a pediatric neurologist and pediatrician at Memorial Ataşehir Hospital in Istanbul. He specializes in childhood epilepsy and pediatric neurological disorders. Dr. Meral formerly served as Head of the Department of Pediatrics at Haydarpasa Training and Research Hospital.

• Published over 30 scientific articles in international medical journals.
• Member of the Association against Epilepsy and the Child Neurology Association.
• Completed specialized training in child neurology at the Gulhan Military Medical Academy.
• Works at Memorial Ataşehir, a JCI-accredited facility for safety and quality.

Dr. Kamil Yalçın Polat is the Head of General Surgery and Transplantation at Memorial Ataşehir Hospital. He specializes in multi-organ transplantation, liver surgery, and surgical oncology. Dr. Polat completed master's level training at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. He is an expert in liver transplantation outcomes for both adults and children.

• Served as the founder and director of a major organ transplant center.
• Published over 50 articles in SCI Expanded journals on surgical techniques.
• Trained in oncologic surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the US.
• Vice President of the Turkish Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Society.

Dr. Osman Sevki Arslan is an ophthalmologist at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. He developed three original surgical techniques, including the innovative Retrograde Glaucoma Tube Implantation. Dr. Arslan served as the founding Medical Director of the Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Eye Bank. He works at a JCI-accredited hospital that treats over 300,000 patients annually.

• Served as the President of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association.
• Authored over 100 original articles in national and international peer-reviewed journals.
• Represented Turkey as an examiner for the European Board of Ophthalmology exams.
• Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.

Dr. Halil Olgun Peker is a neurosurgeon with 19 years of experience. He specializes in scoliosis, spinal canal stenosis, neck hernia, neuro-oncology, and complex spine disorders. Dr. Peker has managed many difficult cases and has helped improve neurosurgical techniques and patient care.

He is a member of the Turkish Medical Association and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. The Ministry of Health in Sirnak awarded him a Certificate of Achievement for his service. Dr. Peker often presents his work at international conferences, showing his dedication to neurosurgery.

Dr. Ugur Aferin is a urological surgeon at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. He specializes in robotic and minimally invasive urological surgery. Dr. Aferin is a published researcher on mitochondrial DNA as a prostate cancer biomarker. He performs complex procedures including robotic prostatectomy and nephrectomy.

• Uses the Da Vinci robotic system for prostate and kidney surgeries.
• Treats conditions ranging from erectile dysfunction to localized prostate cancer.
• Co-authored research on urodynamic curve patterns in the journal Urology.
• Works at a JCI-accredited facility, Turkey's first Smart-and-Green hospital.

Dr. Yigit Changa is an Associate Professor of Cardiology at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. He specializes in interventional cardiology and treats complex conditions like coronary artery disease and arrhythmias. Dr. Changa received training at the Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Hospital. He is a member of the Turkish Society of Cardiology.

• Performs coronary angiography, radiofrequency ablation, and heart cryoablation.
• Expertise in carotid angioplasty, stent placement, and aneurysm coiling.
• Works at a JCI-accredited facility that treats 300,000+ patients annually.
• Fluent in English and holds membership in the Turkish Medical Association.

Dr. Nurperi Gazioglu is a neurosurgeon at the JCI-accredited Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. She specializes in brain tumor removal and pituitary adenoma surgery. Dr. Gazioglu completed the EANS European Neurosurgery Course. This is a top-tier training standard for surgeons in Europe. She also trained at APHP Necker–Enfants Malades in France.

• Expertise in endoscopic pituitary surgery and endoscopic lumbar disc procedures.
• Treats complex conditions like Moya-moya disease and arteriovenous malformations.
• Performs brain aneurysm repairs and brain tumor embolization.
• Studied epilepsy surgery and insular–hippocampal anatomy at Istanbul University.

Dr. Bulent Citgez is a general surgery specialist and surgical oncologist at Memorial Ataşehir Hospital. He specializes in mammology and oncology, focusing on breast cancer treatment. Dr. Citgez trained in the United States at St-Mary Hospital. He also held a surgical post at Bezmialem University in Istanbul.

• Practices at JCI-accredited Memorial Ataşehir Hospital in Istanbul.
• Treats patients at Memorial Hizmet Hospital and Memorial Ataşehir Hospital.
• Served as a general surgery specialist at Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Hospital.
• Gained surgical experience at Büyükçekmece Public Hospital and Seyrantepe Hospital.

Dr. Mehmmet Soy is a rheumatologist and immunologist at Valued Med Hub Hospitals in Istanbul. He has held professorships at three different Turkish universities. Dr. Soy specialized in internal diseases at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa. He later earned a minor specialization in rheumatology and immunology at Çukurova University.

• Served as a professor at Trakya University.
• Maintains membership in the Turkish Rheumatology Association.
• Treats patients at a clinic holding Turkish government health tourism authorization.
• Is a member of the Turkish Internal Medicine Specialization Association.

2013 - Present, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye

MEMORIAL ATASEHIR HOSPITAL

Pediatric Chest Diseases Specialist

2013 - Present, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye

MARMARA UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF MEDICINE

Member of the Department of Pediatric Chest Diseases

Dr. Ebru Altindag is an associate professor and neurologist at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. She specializes in epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology. Dr. Altindag has won multiple first prizes at National Epilepsy Congresses for her research publications. She also treats Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and neurodegenerative conditions.

• Expertise in video-EEG monitoring and electroencephalography (EEG).
• Member of the Association of Child Neurology and Neuroimmunology.
• Winner of the Kenan Tükel publishing award for research on seizure semiology.
• Recipient of a scientific research support award from the Turkish Epilepsy Association.

Dr. Rafet Eren is a hematologist at Valued Med Hub Hospitals in Istanbul. He specializes in treating complex blood disorders, including acute leukemia and multiple myeloma. Dr. Eren earned his PhD in hematology from Istanbul Training and Research Hospital. He has served as an associate professor at several major Turkish medical institutions.

• Treats conditions such as lymphomas, myeloproliferative diseases, and aplastic anemia.
• Expertise covers bleeding diathesis and the approach to splenomegaly.
• Research findings on bone marrow biopsy are published in international medical journals.
• Works at a center holding an International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate.

Dr. Emrah Özdemir is a cardiologist at Valued Med Hub Hospitals in Istanbul. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic and peripheral artery diseases. He also manages complex conditions like hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Dr. Özdemir completed his medical training at Istanbul University Cerrahpasa and Istanbul Bilim University.

• Published research on ticagrelor-associated thrombocytopenic purpura in the Anatolian Journal of Cardiology.
• Treats patients at a facility accredited by the Turkish Medical Association.
• Works at a center holding the International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate.
• Collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of 100 specialists at Valued Med Hub.

Dr. Ayse Yesim Oral is an ophthalmologist at Memorial Ataşehir Hospital in Istanbul. She specializes in strabismus and pediatric eye health. Dr. Oral conducts research in glaucoma, cataract surgery, and refractive procedures. She holds a medical degree and specialist training from Istanbul University.

• Member of the World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.
• Active member of the Strabismus Unit of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association.
• Works at JCI-accredited Memorial Ataşehir Hospital in Istanbul.
• Served as a course instructor and panelist at national ophthalmology congresses.

Op. Dr. Ercan Kaya is a neurosurgeon. He earned his M.D. from Marmara University. He completed his neurosurgery residency at Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Training and Research Hospital in 2020 and became a specialist in neurosurgery.

His clinical focus is spine and spinal cord disorders. He completed an observership in the Complex Spinal Surgery Department at The Walton Centre, a leading neurosurgical center in the United Kingdom.

He completed mandatory service in Mardin. He also worked at Sancaktepe Training and Research Hospital. Since 2026, he has been a neurosurgeon at NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital. He provides care for brain, spine, and peripheral nerve disorders.

Uzm. Dr. Gunay Hajiyeva is a psychiatrist. She graduated from Azerbaijan Medical University in 2013. She completed her psychiatry residency at Cukurova University Balcali Hospital in 2021. She received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, and Dynamic Sexual Therapy.

Her clinical focus includes schizophrenia, mood disorders, trauma, anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcohol and substance use disorders, and sexual dysfunction. She speaks English, Russian, and German. She is active in academic and clinical research. She has presented at national and international congresses.

Dr. Ali Rahimi is an ENT specialist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital. He graduated from Hacettepe University and has held chief physician roles at four different medical centers. Dr. Rahimi focuses on functional and aesthetic nasal surgery and head and neck tumors.

• Performs specialized procedures including septorhinoplasty and endolaryngeal microsurgery for laryngeal polyps.
• Treats complex conditions such as sleep apnea, hearing loss, and nasal polyps.
• Practices at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital, the second-ranked brain hospital in Europe.
• Works within a JCI-accredited facility that treats 4,000 patients every year.

Dr. Turhan Caskurlu heads the Urology Department at Istanbul Medeniyet University Medical Faculty. He is a specialist at Memorial Ataşehir Hospital in Istanbul. Dr. Caskurlu previously served as the Chief Physician at Haydarpaşa Numune Education and Research Hospital.

• Leads the urology department at a major Turkish medical faculty.
• Served as the Urology Clinic Director at Göztepe Education and Research Hospital.
• Practices at Memorial Ataşehir, a JCI-accredited facility for safety and quality.
• Formerly a lecturer in the Urology Department at Hacettepe University.