Page 29 - Treatment in Istanbul (Turkey)

The doctor currently serves as a General Surgery Specialist at Memorial Bahcelievler Hospital, with a focus on advanced laparoscopic procedures. Previously, they directed the Surgery Center for Esophageal and Gastric Diseases at Florance Nightingale Hospitals and led the Colon and Rectum Surgery and Gastrointestinal System Motility Unit. Their academic contributions include a faculty position in the Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery program at TC Istanbul Science University. The doctor has held leadership roles in various hospitals, including Chief of General Surgery Clinic at the Ministry of Health Haydarpasa Number EA Hospital.

Dr. Digdem Begendi is an experienced ophthalmologist. She specializes in cataract surgery with IOL replacement, LASIK, and strabismus treatment. She is skilled in advanced procedures, including intraLase laser eye surgery, laser iridotomy, and femtosecond laser techniques.

Dr. Begendi has published several articles in national and international journals. Her work shows a strong commitment to research and clinical care. She is a member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association. She completed her medical degree at Istanbul Bilim University and her specialization at Akdeniz University.

The doctor completed medical education at Ege University and specialized in interventional radiology at Tepecik Training and Research Hospital. Further fellowships in interventional radiology were undertaken at Ege University and Bursa Uludag University.

With extensive experience in diagnostic and interventional radiology, the doctor has worked at several esteemed institutions, including Izmir Kemalpasa State Hospital and Canakkale 18 March University. Currently, the doctor practices at Memorial Ataşehir Hospital.

The doctor is a member of several professional organizations, including the Turkish Radiology Society and the Turkish Society of Interventional Radiology.

Dr. Babek Yunuszade is a general dentist with eight years of clinical experience. He practices at BY Dental Clinic in Şişli, Istanbul. He provides fixed and removable prosthetics, prosthetic rehabilitation after periodontal therapy, laminate veneer and composite restorations, endodontics, and implant surgery. Implant work includes bone-level placement, flap elevation, guided healing, and simple bone augmentation. He restores with implant-supported crowns and bridges, and locator- or bar-retained dentures.

He earned his DDS from Azerbaijan Medical University in 2016. He completed equivalency training at Kocaeli University in 2018–2019. His recent continuing education includes soft-tissue surgery (2025), implant-supported prosthetics, and occlusion/TMJ. He attended the 2023 International Dentistry Congress. In 2021, he completed courses in implantology, prostheses, porcelain laminate, and advanced orthodontics. He is a member of the Turkish Dental Association. He speaks English and Russian.

Dr. Leyla Elmas is a Dermatology Specialist at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital in Istanbul. She previously worked at Yüksekova State Hospital and Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Elmas completed her dermatology training at Hacettepe University. She earned her MD from Istanbul University – Cerrahpaşa, graduating second in her class with a GPA of 3.89 out of 4.00.

Dr. Elmas has published 10 articles in international peer-reviewed journals. She holds a national patent. She has also given several oral and poster presentations at scientific meetings. In 2024, she received the AAD Strauss & Katz World Congress Scholarship. She was named the 2023 ASDS International Dermatology Specialist of the Year.

Dr. Elmas is a member of the Turkish Society of Dermatology and the Women’s Dermatologic Society. She has completed observerships and research at Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and King’s College London.

Experience

2010-2012: (Specialist. Dr.) TR Ministry of Health, Istanbul Metin Sabancı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital
2012-2017: (Specialist Dr.) TR Ministry of Health, Istanbul Metin Sabancı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital
2017-Present: Assoc. Dr. Istanbul Aydın University VM Medical Park Hospital

Professional Memberships

1. European Board of Orthopedics and Traumatology(EBOT), Member, 2014
2. Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Association, Member, 2014
3. Orthopedic Trauma Branch, Member, 2011
4. Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Education Council (TOTEK), Member, 2010
5. Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Association (TOTBID), Member, 2007
6. Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Association (TOTDER), Member, 2005
7. Turkish Medical Association Istanbul Branch, Member, 2005
 

Awards

COMMITMENT, PROVINCIAL HEALTH DIRECTORATE, 2011

2022 - Present, Istanbul/Türkiye

MEMORIAL BAHCELIEVLER HOSPITAL

Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist

2006 - 2022, Istanbul/Türkiye

GATA HAYDARPASA TRAINING AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL

Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist

1999 - 2001, Bilecik/Türkiye

BİLECİK SOLDIER TRAINING BRIGADE

Infirmary Chief Physician

Dr. Ibrahim Ziyal is a neurosurgeon at Memorial Göztepe Hospital in Istanbul (2025–present). He was Professor and Head of Neurosurgery at Marmara University (2012–2025). Earlier, he held faculty roles at Hacettepe University (2001–2012). He was the Founding Head of Neurosurgery at Abant İzzet Baysal University, Düzce (1999–2001). He also worked as a clinical researcher in brain tumors at George Washington University (1996–1998). He then focused on cerebrovascular diseases at the São Paulo Institute of Neurological Sciences (1998–1999).

Expertise: skull base tumors, pituitary surgery, and aneurysm/AVM/cavernoma surgery. Neurosurgery training: Şişli Etfal Hospital. MD: Trakya University. Memberships: Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Neuro-Oncology Association, AANS, CNS, WFNS, EANS.

The doctor completed medical education at Marmara University Faculty of Medicine and specialized in neurosurgery. Further training included a Cerebrovascular Research Fellowship at Yale School of Medicine. The doctor is a member of the Turkish Neurosurgery Association, Turkish Spine Association, and AOSpine. Awards include the Turkish Neurosurgery Society's Young Neurosurgeon Encouragement First Prize in 2017. The doctor has participated in organizing several neurosurgery courses and congresses, contributing as both an instructor and committee member.

2018 - Present, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye

MEMORIAL BAHCELIEVLER HOSPITAL

Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephrology Specialist

2015 - 2018, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye

MEDICALPARK GAZİOSMANPAŞA HOSPITAL

Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephrology Specialist

2015 - 2018, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye

ALTINBAŞ UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF MEDICINE

Specialist in Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephrology

2007 - 2015, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye

HASEKİ TRAINING AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL

Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephrology Specialist

1998 - 2004, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye

HASEKİ TRAINING AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL

Pediatric Specialist

1997 - 1998, Kocaeli/Kocaeli/Türkiye

NAVAL FORCES GÖLCÜK TSK DISPENSARY

Pediatric Specialist

1992 - 1996, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye

HASEKİ TRAINING AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL

Pediatric Specialist Training

1991 - 1992, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye

BAKIRKOY STATE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY SERVICE

General Practitioner

1990 - 1991, Kahramanmaraş/Kahramanmaraş/Türkiye

KAHRAMANMARAS ILICA HEALTH CENTER

General Practitioner - Compulsory Service

Dr. Mehmet Osman Akcakaya is a neurosurgeon with 18 years of experience. He specializes in microneurosurgery and functional neurosurgery. He treats head trauma, brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal disorders. Dr. Akcakaya uses advanced surgical techniques for these complex conditions.

He has received several awards, including the Second Prize for 'Best Oral Presentation' at the Congress of the Nervous System Surgery Society. He completed a 4-year training program with the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS). He also holds the EANS board certificate (Part I). Dr. Akcakaya has completed fellowships in Israel and Germany.

He is a member of the Turkish Association of Neurosurgery and EANS. He has also served on scientific committees for international courses on endoscopic spine surgery.

2018 - Present, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye

MEMORIAL BAHCELIEVLER HOSPITAL

Radiation Oncology Specialist

1986 - Present, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye

ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY CERRAHPAŞA MEDICAL FACULTY

Radiation Oncology Specialist

2015 - 2018, Istanbul/Istanbul/Türkiye

MEMORIAL SISLI HOSPITAL

Radiation Oncology Specialist

The doctor is a highly experienced neurosurgeon based in Istanbul, Turkey, with over 20 years of experience. Specializing in far lateral lumbar disc surgery, neurovascular surgery, and cerebrovascular diseases, the doctor is renowned for expertise in treating aneurysms and other complex conditions.

The doctor holds a Doctorate from Florida University in Brain and Nerve Surgery Neuroanatomy and has completed a fellowship in the same field. The doctor is a graduate of Marmara University Faculty of Medicine and has contributed numerous articles to both national and international conferences and journals.

Dr. Bora Basaran is an experienced ENT specialist and Associate Professor. He focuses on head and neck oncology, thyroid tumors, and endoscopic sinus surgery. He is a Fellow of the European Board of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery. Dr. Basaran has held important roles at Istanbul University and Florence Nightingale Hospital.

He has performed many complex surgeries in head and neck reconstruction and transoral laser microsurgery. He is well known for his work with salivary gland and thyroid tumors. Dr. Basaran earned his Turkish ENT Board certification in 2007. He became an Associate Professor in 2014.

He is an active member of top scientific societies, including EHNS and the Turkish Otorhinolaryngology Society. His memberships show his dedication to excellence and progress in ENT surgery.

The doctor is a Nuclear Medicine Specialist with 39 years of experience, currently practicing at Medipol Mega University Hospital. The doctor has held professorships at Gazi University and served as the Director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Ankara Order Laboratory. The doctor is a member of both the Turkey Association of Nuclear Medicine and the European Association of Nuclear Medicine. The doctor graduated from Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine in 1984 and became a Nuclear Medicine Specialist at Ankara University in 1992.

Born in Mucur district of Kırşehir, Firdevs Seyfe Şen completed her primary, secondary and high school education in Kırşehir and then entered Adana Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine in 1987. After graduating in 1993, she started to work as a general practitioner in Kırşehir province Kaman district No. 1 health center to do her compulsory service. After 1 year, he was assigned to Kırşehir State Hospital Emergency Department. Then he assumed the duty of Kırşehir Provincial Health Directorate Mental and Mental Health Branch Directorate. In 1996, he became a specialty student at Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Mental Health and Diseases with TUS. He successfully presented his thesis titled "Attitudes of people living in a rural area in Turkey towards depression" and became a Psychiatrist.

His first place of duty as a mental health and diseases specialist was Manisa Turgutlu State Hospital. Here he managed the psychiatry clinic for over 10 years. In accordance with the legislation of the Ministry of Health, he worked as a private practice physician for a period.

He became a Psychodrama Therapist at Abdülkadir Özbek Psychodrama Institute. She received individual Psychoanalysis training from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Eğrilmez, social skills training in Schizophrenia from Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yıldız, Motivational interviewing training from Prof. Dr. Kültegin Ögel.

She successfully completed the Psychoanalytically Oriented Group Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis Training organized by Halime Odağ Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy Foundation and Prof. Dr. Vamık Volkan's Use of Dreams in Psychoanalysis Training.

Other trainings she has successfully completed are 1st and 2nd Level EMDR Basic Training and CETAD Basic Training organized by EMDR Association. After completing BDP Association, Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy Theoretical Training from Prof. Dr. M Hakan Türkçapar, he completed the Driver Behavior Improvement Training and Substance Abuse Physician Training organized by the Ministry of Health with certification.

In 2020, he retired from the public sector at his own request and started to work as a psychiatry specialist in Izmir Nöron Psychiatry Branch Center, where he is a founding partner. Here, he completed TMU trainings in addition to his interests for 2 years and became a pioneer in TMU treatment in Izmir province.

As of February 2022, he decided to continue his education, knowledge and professional experience at Üsküdar University NP Brain Hospital and started to work.

Psychotic Disorders, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Test Anxiety are her special interests.