Page 23 - Treatment in Istanbul (Turkey)

Dr. M. Ayşe Arvas Uluğ earned her Medical Doctor (MD) degree from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 1995. It is one of Turkey’s leading medical institutions.

She specialized in Histology and Embryology. Her expertise covers cellular structure, tissue regeneration, wound healing, embryologic development of hair follicles, and the microscopic structure of skin and adnexal tissues. This training gives her a deep understanding of hair follicle biology at the cellular level.

The doctor is a seasoned medical oncologist with extensive experience in several prestigious hospitals in Turkey, including Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital since 2019. With a medical degree from Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, the doctor completed an internal medicine residency at Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital and a medical oncology residency at Istanbul Bilim University. Achieving Associate Professorship in 2016, the doctor has authored over 20 papers and 10 book chapters in the field of medical oncology.

Recognized with the Oncology Research Award by the Turkish Medical Oncology Association in 2012, the doctor is an active member of multiple professional societies, including the European Society for Medical Oncology.

Dr. Zulfikar Polat is a gastroenterology and internal medicine specialist. He trained at Ankara Gülhane Military Medical Academy, where he completed his specialty and became an Associate Professor. He is a Professor at İstanbul Aydın University. His postgraduate experience includes Ankara Gülhane Military Medical Academy and İstanbul Aydın University. He also worked at Anadolu Medical Center, affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine (USA).

Clinical focus includes gastroenterology, hepato-pancreatology, inflammatory intestinal diseases, and diagnostic and interventional endoscopic procedures. Professional memberships include the Turkish Gastroenterology Association (TGD), Turkish Endoscopy Society, TÜRK EUS, ESGE, EASL, and AASLD. He has 45 national and international publications.

The doctor completed medical education at GATA Medical Faculty and specialized in Orthopedics and Traumatology at GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital. Progressing through an academic career, the doctor became an assistant professor in 2007, an associate professor in 2014, and a full professor in 2021. Since 2016, the doctor has been serving as an Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist at Anadolu Medical Center.

The doctor is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the European Society of Sports Traumatology Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy. Specializes in arthroscopic surgery, sports injuries, trauma surgery, and joint prosthesis surgery.

The doctor specializes in interventional cardiology, with a focus on coronary angiography, stent placement, onco-cardiology, cardiac insufficiency, and heart transplants. The doctor earned the title of Associate Professor at Dr. Siyami Ersek Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and has been an interventional cardiologist at Anadolu Medical Center since 2007. In 2011, the doctor founded and currently directs the Oncocardiology Department. The doctor holds a Cardio-Oncology Certification from the European Society of Cardiology, demonstrating expertise in cardiovascular health and oncology.

The doctor is a specialist in Thoracic and Robotic Surgery, recognized as a top lung cancer expert. Since 2007, the doctor has been serving as a thoracic surgeon at Anadolu Medical Center. The doctor's education includes a medical degree from Karadeniz University Medical School and specialty education in Thoracic Surgery from Dicle University Medical Faculty. Further training was completed at London Royal Brompton Hospital and New York Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The doctor is a member of the Turkish Thoracic Surgery Society, European Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and Thorax Society.

With over 40 years of experience, the doctor specializes in cancer and obesity surgery, with a focus on surgical pancreatic cancer treatment, including the Whipple procedure. The doctor has enhanced their skills at Johns Hopkins University in the USA. Additionally, they contribute to scientific research and education as a lecturer at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine.

Prof. Dr. Kamil Yalçın Polat is a leading transplantology expert and Head of the Organ Transplantation Center at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital in Istanbul. With over 30 years of surgical experience, he founded the Organ Transplantation Center at Atatürk University (2003-2010) and completed fellowships at Mount Sinai Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Dr. Polat has authored more than 50 scientific publications and serves as Vice President of the Turkish Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Society.

Dr. Nihal Işık is a neurologist at Anadolu Medical Center. She has worked there since December 2020. Her focus areas include multiple sclerosis, headaches, botulinum toxin therapy, neuromuscular diseases, epilepsy, and dementia. She completed her medical and neurology training at Hacettepe University.

She won third prize in the MS category at the 38th National Neurology Congress in 2002. She has supervised 23 theses. Her publications include 25 international and 36 national peer-reviewed articles. She has presented 48 international and 137 national conference papers. She has chaired 8 sessions and given 14 invited talks or panels. She is the author of “Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for MS.” She is a member of the Turkish Medical Association, the Turkish Neurological Society, and the MS Study Group. She has served as the ECTRIMS Turkey representative since 2012.

The doctor graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical School and completed specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Istanbul University in 1994. Achieving associate professor status in 1998 and full professorship in 2005, the doctor served at the university until 2013.

In 2005, the doctor founded the Physical Treatment and Rehabilitation Department at Anadolu Medical Center, where they continue to practice. Specialties include rehabilitation applications, electroneurophysiology, botulinum toxin injection, neural therapy, ozone therapy, and PRP therapy.

The doctor is a member of several professional organizations, including the European Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Society of Turkey.

Dr. Nermin Mammadova is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery. She has a strong academic background and international experience. She completed medical school at Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine. She finished specialty training in plastic surgery at Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine.

Her credentials include ISAPS membership, advanced surgical training, and microsurgery training. She also has international observership experience. She contributes to the field through oral presentations and scientific studies. She stays active in national and international congresses.

Prof. Dr. Ilhan Elmaci is a leading neurosurgeon. He is known for his skill in brain and spinal surgeries, neurooncology, and skull base surgery. He has worked at top institutions such as Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Elmaci has introduced new techniques in microsurgery and endoscopic skull base surgery.

He is the founding chairman of the Skull Base Society in Turkey. He is also an active member of the European Skull Base Society. Dr. Elmaci has helped advance neurosurgery through teamwork across specialties. He led Turkey’s first EANS-accredited neurosurgery clinic. He also holds accreditations from the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies.

Dr. Elmaci has published over 110 scientific papers and given more than 250 presentations at congresses. His work continues to influence neurosurgical practice and patient care around the world.

The doctor has extensive experience as a general pediatrician, having worked at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Metropolitan Florence Nightingale Hospital from 1998 to 2005. Since June 2005, the doctor has been affiliated with Anadolu Medical Center, serving as the pediatrician in charge of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit until December 2010. The doctor actively participated in the Baby-Friendly Hospital certification efforts and continues to conduct nurse training. Additionally, the doctor is a member of the Patient Safety Committee and has been managing patient follow-up at Anadolu Medical Center's pediatric outpatient clinics for a decade.

Dr. Nermina Alagic is an attending cardiologist at Anadolu Medical Center in Istanbul, a Johns Hopkins Medicine affiliate. She graduated from Istanbul University–Cerrahpaşa. She completed her cardiology residency at Istanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Hospital (2014–2018). She focuses on cardiac imaging. She has expertise in 2D/3D transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (TTE/TEE). She advanced this training through research at the UAB Echo Lab (2015) and hands-on 2D/3D TEE work in the TEE Lab (2018–2019).

Her research covers photomedicine and cardiology. Her papers appear in Journal of Biomedical Optics, PNAS, Photochemistry and Photobiology, Echocardiography, Minerva Cardioangiologica, and Archives of Medical Science (2013–2020). She completed a clinical and interventional cardiology observership at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney (2019). She also worked at the Harvard Medical School Wellman Center for Photomedicine (2012–2013). She is a full member of the Turkish Society of Cardiology and the European Society of Cardiology, and an EACVI silver member. Award: ASP Fredrick Urbach Memorial Student Travel Award (2013).

Dt. Arzu Tekkeli has worked at the Department of Dentistry, Anadolu Medical Center in Gebze, Kocaeli, since 2018. She previously worked at Avicenna Hope Hospital. She graduated from the Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry in 1999. She began her studies in 1994.

Clinical focus: aesthetic dentistry, digital dentistry with CAD/CAM, and smile design.

Memberships: Turkish Dental Association, Istanbul Chamber of Dentists, Oral Implantology Association, Women’s Physicians Support Foundation, Contemporary Life Support Foundation. Programs attended: Implant-Der Academy and EDAD (Aesthetic Dentistry Academy Association).

Prof. Dr. Sezer Sağlam is a medical oncologist at Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale Hospital. He specializes in gastrointestinal and breast cancers. He has contributed to cancer care through research, especially with his study on the best timing for surgery after neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer. This work has influenced global treatment protocols.

Dr. Sağlam has led clinical trials in targeted therapies and precision medicine. His research on liver-transplanted patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was nominated for the 2024 International Best Researcher Award. He is a member of ASCO, ESMO, and ENET. Dr. Sağlam provides personalized and evidence-based oncology care.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tayfun Caliskan is a specialist in chest diseases and interventional pulmonology. His focus areas include bronchoscopy, EBUS, and the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. He received his MD from GATA in 1999. He completed his Chest Diseases residency at GATA Haydarpaşa between 2002 and 2006. He served as a specialist and deputy chief at military hospitals. He was on the faculty at GATA and Sultan 2. Abdulhamit Han. He completed advanced training at The University of Chicago Medicine in 2015–2016. He became an Associate Professor in 2021. He has worked at Anadolu Medical Center since 2022.

He co-authored The Essential Intensivist Bronchoscopy. He is the Turkish translator of The Essential EBUS Bronchoscopy. He is a member of WABIP, EABIP, the European Respiratory Society, the Turkish Thorax Association, and the Lung Health and Intensive Care Association. He serves on the Executive Board of the Interventional Pulmonology Working Group of the Turkish Respiratory Research Association.

Dr. Oktay Karadeniz, MD, is a radiologist. He graduated from Hacettepe University Medical School in 1992. He completed specialty training in Radiodiagnostics at Göztepe Training and Research Hospital in 1999. He worked at Memorial Hospital from 1999 to 2005. He has been a radiologist at Anadolu Medical Center since 2005.

Clinical focus: musculoskeletal imaging; cardiovascular imaging; oncologic imaging; neuroradiology. Professional memberships: Turkish Radiology Society; Turkish Society of Magnetic Resonance Imaging; International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine; European Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology; American College of Radiology; European Society of Radiology.