Best Doctors in Istanbul

Dr. Samet Yardimci is a gastrointestinal and bariatric surgeon in Istanbul. He ranked first in Turkey's national subspecialty exam for surgeons. In 2012, he became the youngest gastroenterological surgeon in the country. Dr. Yardimci trained in cancer surgery and organ transplants at MD Anderson in Houston.

• Specializes in gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and metabolic surgery.
• Treats inflammatory bowel disease, liver hemangiomas, and pancreatic cysts.
• Established units for organ transplantation and IBD surgery at Marmara University.
• Maintains membership in the Turkish Medical Association.

Dr. Celal Salcini is a neurologist and epileptologist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital. He specializes in electrophysiology, movement disorders, and dementias. He serves as a neurology specialist at a JCI-accredited facility in Istanbul. Dr. Salcini translates clinical research into patient care for multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

• Performs Video-EEG monitoring and electroencephalography (EEG) for epilepsy diagnosis.
• Treats neurodegenerative diseases, essential tremors, and complex spinal pain.
• Authored a chapter on spinal cord diseases for Merritt's Neurology Handbook.
• Provides care in English, Serbian, Bosnian, and Turkish.

Dr. Taha Abbas Göktaş is the founder of TH Dental Clinic in Istanbul. He specializes in implant surgery and aesthetic dentistry, integrating both into a single treatment plan. Dr. Göktaş uses restoratively-driven planning, where the final smile design determines the implant position. He holds a license for international health tourism from the Turkish Ministry of Health.

• Co-authored implantology research in the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants.
• Performs bone grafting and sinus lifts for patients with bone loss.
• Performs full-arch rehabilitations using All-on-4 and All-on-6 protocols.
• Speaks seven languages, including English, Arabic, French, and Russian.

Dr. Engin Acioglu is an ENT specialist at Memorial Ataşehir Hospital in Istanbul. He completed a prestigious clinical fellowship at Hannover Medical School in Germany. Dr. Acioglu served as Chief Assistant at the Istanbul Training and Research Hospital. His practice focuses on complex ear, nose, and throat diseases.

• Trained at Hannover Medical School, a top German medical center.
• Practices at Memorial Ataşehir Hospital, which holds JCI accreditation.
• Served as a clinical specialist in leading Turkish state research facilities.
• Treats patients in a hospital recognized for high safety standards.

Dr. Tunc Ozdemir is the Head of Urology at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. He performed Turkey’s first robotic sacrocolpopexy operations. Dr. Ozdemir helped establish the first robotic urologic surgery program in the country. He focuses on uro-oncology, specifically prostate cancer and kidney tumor treatment.

• Professor of Urology at Bilim University with fellowship training at the European Oncology Center.
• Winner of the Karl Storz Second Prize for robotic prostatectomy research.
• Received the Best Video Presentation Award at the Istanbul Robotic Urology Symposium.
• Specializes in Da Vinci prostatectomy, HIFU treatment, and laser prostate surgery.

Dr. Ozlem Ozem Ekmekci is a professor of ophthalmology at Memorial Ataşehir Hospital in Istanbul. She previously served as the Chairperson of the Ophthalmology Department at Cumhuriyet University. Dr. Ekmekci provides medical and surgical eye care within a JCI-accredited facility. This accreditation ensures the hospital meets international safety and quality standards.

• Achieved the rank of Professor in ophthalmology within the university setting.
• Served as an educator at SB Haseki Training and Research Hospital.
• Performed diagnostic eye screenings as part of female and male check-up programs.
• Works at a hospital with over 60 specialized medical departments.

Dr. Sabahattin Gunduz is a Professor of Cardiology at Memorial Göztepe Hospital in Istanbul. He specializes in heart health and diagnostic cardiology. Dr. Gunduz is a member of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). He also belongs to the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions.

• Teaches as a Professor of Medicine at Bahçeşehir University.
• Maintains membership in the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging.
• Completed residency at Kartal Koşuyolu High Specialty Training and Research Hospital.
• Works at Memorial Göztepe Hospital, a facility equipped with 512-slice CT imaging.

Dr. Firdavs Ahmedov has performed 3,500+ hair transplant procedures at Smile Hair Clinic in Istanbul. He specializes in FUE, DHI, and revision surgeries for men and women. Dr. Ahmedov completed surgical rotations at Mount Sinai Hospital and Bronx Military Hospital in New York. He is an associate member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.

• Uses sapphire blades and manual extraction for natural-looking results.
• Treats beard, eyebrow, and eyelash loss alongside scalp restoration.
• Served as Vice President of the International Patient Center at Medicana Health Group.
• Operates at Smile Hair Clinic, a TEMOS-accredited facility recognized by the BBC.

Dr. Hasan Fevzi Batirel is a thoracic surgeon at Memorial Gezpete Hospital in Istanbul. He treats diseases of the chest, including the lungs, esophagus, and chest wall. Dr. Batirel previously served as Deputy Clinic Chief at Kartal Lütfi Kırdar Hospital. He also held a long-term academic role at Marmara University Faculty of Medicine. His work is supported by Memorial Gezpete's JCI accreditation for safety and quality.

• Specializes in complex thoracic surgery and respiratory conditions.
• Held leadership roles at major Turkish training and research hospitals.
• Practices at a hospital with 99% success rates in major transplants.
• Works at a facility recognized for international treatment standards.

Dr. Cagatay Cetinkayaa is a general surgeon in Ankara. He practices at Memorial Ankara Hospital. At Ankara University, he served as Lead Specialist for kidney–pancreas transplantation and Associate Lead for liver transplantation. He was also a Professor of General Surgery at Ankara University.

He holds the FEBS (European Diploma in Transplant Surgery). He is the UEMS Delegate for Transplant Surgery in Türkiye. His fellowships include abdominal multiorgan transplantation at the University of Calgary and transplantation research at the Thomas Starzl Institute.

He has authored over 40 international papers and 4 book chapters. He has given over 100 presentations. His work has more than 1,000 citations, and his h-index is 11. He has received multiple congress awards. He is a member of ESOT, EA-HPBA, the Turkish Surgical Association, the Turkish HPB Surgery Association, and the Turkish Association of Organ Transplantation Organizations Coordination.

Dr. Abuzer Dirican is the Head of General Surgery at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. He authored the liver transplant chapter in Schwartz’s Principles of Surgery. He treats complex cases involving cholangiocarcinoma, liver transplantation, and colorectal cancer. Dr. Dirican earned his medical degree from Hacettepe University.

• Completed a clinical fellowship in liver transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery.
• Co-authored an analysis of over 300 living-donor liver transplants.
• Performed research on hepatic vein reconstructions and thyroid surgical complications.
• Works at a JCI-accredited hospital certified as a Smart-and-Green facility.

Dr. Ezgi Yuceer Cetiner is the Chief Physician at Bahçeşehir University Dental Hospital in Istanbul. She is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon specializing in reconstructive surgery and bone regeneration. Dr. Yuceer Cetiner performs complex procedures like orthognathic surgery and All-on-4 dental implants. She also holds the role of Assistant Professor at Bahçeşehir University.

• Member of both national and international oral and maxillofacial surgical associations.
• Expertise includes treating jaw pathologies, TMJ diseases, and mandibulary osteotomy.
• Published researcher with several articles in peer-reviewed medical journals.
• Practices at a university-affiliated hospital featuring 183 dental units and sedative units.