Page 2 - Treatment in Ankara (Turkey)

Dr. Hulda Rifat Ozakpinar is a specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery. She graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 1995. She completed her specialization in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery in 1998. Dr. Ozakpinar has held important positions at Ankara University and Showa University School of Medicine in Japan. She worked there as a Research Fellow and Microsurgery Lecturer. She also served as a Specialist Doctor and Associate Professor at the Ministry of Health, Republic of Türkiye.

Dr. Ozakpinar has led clinical research, especially on lower lip cancer reconstruction. She has received scholarships from the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT) and TÜBİTAK. She currently works at Lokman Hekim Akay Hospital.

Dr. Rafet Ozay is an Associate Professor who specializes in neurovascular surgery. He focuses on both microsurgery and endovascular techniques. Dr. Ozay has broad experience in neurosurgery. He has worked at top medical centers, including Dışkapı Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences Gülhane Faculty of Medicine, and Etlik City Hospital.

Dr. Ozay is a member of the Turkish Neurosurgery Association. He is also proficient in English, as shown by his ÜDS Exam score of 70 in 2007. He has advanced from Chief Assistant to Associate Professor during his career. This reflects his skill and dedication to neurosurgery.

Associate Professor Dr. Yusuf AÇIKGÖZ
Specialization: Medical Oncology

Education:

• 2004-2011: İnönü University Faculty of Medicine
• 2011-2016: Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Internal Medicine
• 2017-2022: Health Sciences University, Medical Oncology

Professional Experience:

• 2016-2017: Bingöl City Hospital, Internal Medicine
• 2021-2022: Health Sciences University, Medical Oncology
• 2022-2023: Kastamonu Education and Research Hospital, Medical Oncology
• 2023-2024: Ohio State University, Medical Oncology
• 2024-Present: Lokman Hekim University, Medical Oncology, Ankara Hospital

Clinical Trials, Courses, Certifications:

Clinical Trials:

• 2017-2021: Phase III, CheckMate-649 Study (Assistant Investigator)
• 2022-Present: Phase III, Fortitude-101 Study (Assistant Investigator)

Courses:

• 2018: Medicres Basic and Advanced Biostatistics Training Program (ongoing), Istanbul-Vienna
• 2019: Immuno-Oncology Education Course, March 1-2, 2019, Vienna, Central European Cooperative Oncology Group (CECOG)
• 2018: Good Clinical Practice Certification, April 7-8, 2018, Ankara, Health Sciences University
• 2017: Basic Oncology Training Program, November 25-26, 2017, Adana, Clinical Oncology Society
• 2016: Basic Ultrasonography Course (10 hours theoretical + 10 hours practical), September 24-25, 2016, Ankara, Turkish Emergency Medicine Association

Certifications:

• Ongoing: ECFMG Certification
• 2024: CITI Responsible Conduct of Research (The Ohio State University)
• 2024: CITI IACUC-Laboratory Animal Research (The Ohio State University)
• 2024: CITI Human Subjects Protection (The Ohio State University)
• 2024: CITI Good Clinical Practice (The Ohio State University)
• 2023: Occupational English Test (OET)
• 2019: International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Total Score: 6.5, May 26, 2019, Ankara, British Council
• 2017: USMLE Step 2 CK Exam; Score: 244, February 7, 2017
• 2016: USMLE Step 1 Exam; Score: 215, August 25, 2016

Memberships:

• American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) - 2022
• Turkish Society of Medical Oncology - 2020

Specialist Dr. Ali Can Sungur is a highly experienced ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist practicing at Lokman Hekim Health Group Etlik Hospital. With years of professional expertise, Dr. Sungur is dedicated to diagnosing and treating a comprehensive range of conditions related to the ear, nose, and throat. His extensive knowledge allows him to offer both medical and surgical treatments, customized to the unique needs of each patient. Emphasizing a patient-centered approach, Dr. Sungur ensures that all treatments are carefully planned to deliver the best possible outcomes. His practice is built on a foundation of compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to utilizing the most advanced medical technologies and techniques. Whether addressing routine concerns or more complex issues, Dr. Sungur is devoted to providing effective, personalized care in a supportive and professional environment.

Dr. Yunus Nazli is an Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery. He graduated from Trakya University Faculty of Medicine (1994–2000). He trained in Cardiovascular Surgery at Celal Bayar University (2001–2006).

He worked as a Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist at Diyarbakır State Hospital (2006–2008). He then served at Van Military Hospital and Van Medical Park Hospital (2008–2009). From 2009 to 2016, he worked at Turgut Özal University. In 2016, he became an Associate Professor at Private Yüzüncüyıl Hospital. He served as an Associate Professor at Etimed Hospital (2016–2018). He has been an Associate Professor at Lokman Hekim Ankara Hospital since 2018.

Focus: coronary bypass (on- and off-pump), valve repair and replacement, aortic surgery, endovascular aortic procedures (EVAR, TEVAR via the groin), carotid surgery, peripheral bypasses (aortofemoral, femoropopliteal), venous treatments (surgery, laser, sclerotherapy), and AV fistulas for hemodialysis.

Dr. Cemal Aydin specializes in interventional radiology. He earned his medical degree from the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine (2007–2013). In 2014, he worked as a general practitioner at the Kars Provincial Health Directorate. He then completed his residency in interventional radiology at Marmara University Hospital (2014–2020). He served as Head Physician, Radiology, at Yüksekova State Hospital (2020–2021). From 2021 to 2023, he practiced interventional radiology at Koç University Hospital.

He presented at the 37th and 38th National Radiology Congress. In 2016, he reported on lobar distribution of liver metastases in primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In 2017, he compared procedure times and complication rates for Trucut biopsy versus FNAB in lung biopsies with risk factors. He also studied diffusion‑weighted MRI to distinguish CPA meningioma and vestibular schwannoma.

Dr. Bahri Gok is a urologist at LHÜ Ankara Hospital (2024–). He earned his MD from Selçuk University (2001–2007). He completed his urology residency at Ankara Atatürk Training and Research Hospital (2008–2013). He served in the Department of Urology at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University as Assistant Professor (2017–2020) and Associate Professor (2020–2023). He was the Urology Training Supervisor at Ankara City Hospital (2019–2023).

Accreditations and training include da Vinci Console Surgeon training at IRCAD (05.11.2019). He attended the EAU Robotic Urology Section meeting (2018) and the National Endourology Congresses (2013, 2015, 2019). He completed a biostatistics course (2018) and holds a Laboratory Animal Use certificate (2012). Memberships: SIU; Turkish Urology Association; Society of Urological Surgery; Eurasian Uro-oncology Association.

Achievements include serving as an investigator in a 2024 international Phase 2 trial of adjuvant V940 (mRNA‑4157) plus pembrolizumab for high‑risk muscle‑invasive urothelial carcinoma. He supervised a 2020 doctoral thesis on robot‑assisted radical prostatectomy. He received Best Poster awards at EAU (Latvia, 2015) and at the Eurasian Uro‑oncology and SIU meetings (2019).

Prof. Dr. Vakkas Korkmaz is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology. Professor, Lokman Hekim University Ankara Hospital (2025–present). Professor, Ankara Etlik City Hospital (2024–2025). Associate Professor, Ankara Etlik Zübeyde Hanım Women’s Health Training and Research Hospital (2020–2022). Specialist, University of Health Sciences (2014–2019). Education: MD, Akdeniz University (2002–2009). Medical specialty (2009–2014) and subspecialty (2016–2019), University of Health Sciences.

Research mentorship: Five completed theses (2016–2024) on endometrial cancer, cervical elastography, leiomyoma–fQRS, and iodine deficiency–postmenopausal osteoporosis. Memberships: European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (2017). Turkish Gynecologic Oncology Society (2020). Turkish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2015–2017). Awards: Turkish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2015). Perinatal Medicine Foundation (2015).

Dr. Atilla Ozenoglu is a thoracic surgery specialist. He completed medical school at Karadeniz University (1984–1990). He finished his thoracic surgery residency at Pamukkale University (2003–2009). He worked as a general practitioner from 1990 to 2003. He then served at Adıyaman State Hospital (2009–2014) and Gaziantep Medical Park (2014–2017). In 2017, he worked at Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital. He now works at Rize Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital. He serves as a thoracic surgery specialist and deputy chief physician.

Clinical expertise: lung resections (segmentectomy, lobectomy, pneumonectomy); VATS sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis; mediastinoscopy; VATS under local anesthesia; chest wall reconstruction with clip-plate implants; minimally invasive pectus surgery (Nuss, Abramson); diaphragmatic repair; diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy.

Academic work: thesis “Cardiac arrhythmias after thoracotomy” (2008). Articles on non-traumatic chylothorax (2005) and primary lung liposarcoma (2009). Posters and case reports on hydatidosis serology (2012), costal osteochondroma resection (2014), and a Foley catheter imaging method in empyema necessitatis (2007).

Dr. Mustafa Serkan Durdu is a cardiovascular surgeon at Memorial Ankara Hospital (2022–present). He previously worked at the Ankara University Department of Cardiovascular Surgery. His focus is minimally invasive valve surgery. He performs right anterior minithoracotomy, sutureless aortic valve replacement, multiple valve implantation, and combined valve surgery with right coronary artery bypass.

He has peer-reviewed publications in J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, Heart Lung Circ, Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, and Cardiovasc Ther. His work includes studies on molecular signatures of chronic atrial fibrillation in primary mitral regurgitation. Qualifications: Cardiovascular Surgery specialization (Ankara University) and MD (Erciyes University). Memberships: EACTS, ISMICS, MIRC, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Society of Vascular Surgery, and Turkish Society of Hematology.

Assoc. Prof. Utkan Boran is a general surgeon. He focuses on oncologic, metabolic, endocrine, and laparoscopic surgery, including laparoscopic hernia repair, anti‑reflux procedures, surgery for morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes, and sleeve gastrectomy.

Education: Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine (1995–2001). General surgery training (2004–2009). Research Fellow at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Ryder Trauma Center (2015–2016). Roles: General Surgery Specialist at GATA Haydarpaşa, Kyrenia, and Mevki Military Hospitals (2004–2016). Associate Professor of General Surgery at Dışkapı (2016–2022), Sancaktepe (2022–2024), and Medical Park Gebze (2024–2025). Currently at Lokman Hekim | Istanbul Hospital (2025–).

Dr. Tülay Omma, Associate Professor

Specialization: Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases

Academic Background

• Medical Education: İnönü University, Faculty of Medicine (English Program), 1994–2001.
• Internal Medicine Residency: Haseki Training and Research Hospital, 2004–2010.
• Subspecialty in Endocrinology and Metabolism: Ankara Training and Research Hospital, 2013–2017.

Professional Experience

• Clinical Expertise: 
  • General Practitioner with administrative responsibilities, 2002–2004.
  • Specialist in Internal Medicine during mandatory service, 2010–2013.
  • Endocrinologist and Metabolic Disease Specialist at Ankara Training and Research Hospital (2017–2023).
  • Earned the title of Associate Professor in 2023, reflecting her academic and clinical excellence.
    Lokman Hekim Health Group 2023 (present) 

Scientific Contributions & Publications

• Research Output: 
  • Published over 20 articles in peer-reviewed international journals, with a strong focus on diabetes, thyroid disorders, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
  • Delivered numerous oral presentations and posters at national and international conferences.
• Citation Metrics: 
  • Total Citations: 166
  • H-index: 6
  • i10-index: 4

Awards & Recognitions

• Multiple prestigious accolades, including: 
  • Best Oral Presentation Award (2023): For groundbreaking research on COVID-19 vaccines and Graves’ Disease.
  • Best Poster Award (2021): For clinical insights into hypoparathyroidism in Turkey (HiPOPARATURK-NET Study).

Professional Memberships & Certifications

• Active member of leading organizations: 
  • European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) and its Young Endocrinologists & Scientists Committee (EYES).
  • Turkish Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism.
• Completed numerous advanced training programs, including certifications in clinical trials, biostatistics, and thyroid ultrasonography.

Clinical & Research Focus

Dr. Omma’s expertise spans:

• Diabetes management and its complications.
• Advanced thyroid disease diagnosis and treatment.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and its metabolic implications.
• Investigating the relationship between diet and endocrine/metabolic disorders.