Best Excision of skull base tumor pediatric neurosurgeons in Istanbul: TOP 19 doctors

Op. Dr. Ertuğrul Pınar graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 2012 and worked as a general practitioner in Çanakkale and Ağrı before completing his training in the Department of Neurosurgery at Marmara University. He was assigned as a specialist doctor to Şanlıurfa in 2019. In 2021, Dr. Ertuğrul Pınar transitioned to the private sector and is involved in adult and pediatric brain and spine diseases.

MEDICAL INTERESTS

• Brain Tumors
• Glial Tumors
• Meningiomas
• Brain Metastases
• Skull Base Tumors
• Posterior Fossa Tumors
• Intraventricular Masses
• Pituitary Adenoma
• Scalp and Bone Tumors
• Cerebral Edema
• Cerebral Hemorrhages
• Cerebral Vascular Aneurysms
• Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
• Cavernomas
• Head Injuries

Dr. Serdar Kahraman is a highly experienced neurosurgeon with 30 years of practice and is head of the Neurosurgery Department at Anadolu Medical Center. He specializes in brain and nerve surgery, spinal surgery, neuroendoscopy and spinal endoscopic surgery. He has an impressive list of certificates and is a member of several prestigious organizations.

Dr. Mustafa Solak is a medical oncologist with expertise in breast, testicular, ovarian, lung, head-neck, and gastrointestinal cancers. He graduated from Hacettepe University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Istanbul Sisli Etfal Teaching and Research Hospital. He then pursued a fellowship at Hacettepe University Cancer Institute.

Dr. Solak has managed many complex cancer cases. He has contributed to clinical advancements at respected centers, including the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He has also worked at Hitit University Corum Training Hospital and Medical Park Hospital. His experience shows a strong commitment to cancer care and research.

Education

University of Wisconsin Clinic of Neurosurgery (2017, Madison/USA)
Bakırköy Psychiatric Hospital (2014, Istanbul/Turkey)
Mersin University Faculty of Medicine (2007, Mersin/Turkey)

Experience

Istanbul Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital (2014-2021, Istanbul/Turkey)
Istanbul Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital (2008-2014, Istanbul/Turkey)
Çorlu State Hospital (2007-2008, Çorlu/Turkey)

• In 2014, I completed my specialty training in the Department of Neurosurgery at Istanbul Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Training and Research Hospital and started to work as a specialist in Neurosurgery at Istanbul Health Sciences University Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital,
• In 2017, I was a visiting scholar at the University of Wisconsin Department of Neurosurgery/ Madison USA.
• In 2021, I received the title of associate professor.
• In December 2021, I left Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital, where I worked for 7.5 years, and started working at Biruni University Hospital.
•  

Scientific Memeberships

Turkish Neurosurgical Society
Turkish Spine Society
EUROSPINE
Turkish Medical Association

Prof. Erkan Kaptanoğlu, M.D. was born in Balikesir, Turkey in 1966. After completing his primary school, secondary school and high school education in Balikesir, he graduated from Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine in 1990. He completed his internship at Peterborough District Hospital and Lincoln County Hospital in the United Kingdom. After a year of compulsory medical service, he completed his residency, which he had started in 1992, at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital in 1997 and became a Neurosurgery Specialist. After being assigned at the same hospital as Chief Resident in the same year, he studied “spinal cord injury and spinal cord regeneration” as a “research fellow” alongside Prof. Charles Tator, M.D., at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1998-1999. After returning from Canada in 1999, he was tasked by the Ministry of Health to establish a Field Hospital and to work in cooperation with the Turkish Red Crescent Society at Hakkari, Şemdinli for two months. Following this assignment, he volunteered to work for the 1999 Marmara Earthquake relief effort.

He became an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery in 2004. He earned the title Doctor of Science (Ph.D.) by completing a doctorate program on Advanced Neuroscience between 2000-2005, at Hacettepe University Institute of Medical Sciences. He joined the project for autologous therapy in human spinal cord injuries with the Departments of Neurosurgery and Hematology at the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine. In 2009, he was appointed as Deputy Chief to the 1st Neurosurgery Clinic at the Ankara Numune Hospital, where he had been working.

At this hospital, in which he worked until 2010, he supervised and attended complex cranial, pediatric, spinal, trauma and vascular neurosurgery operations. He continued his academic research at Ankara University, Department of Anatomy and research laboratories of Ankara University and Hacettepe University for the purpose of developing strategies for complex spinal surgery operations.

With his research on spinal cord injuries and spinal anatomy, he won many awards such as the Acibadem Hospital Medical Research Award, 1st Place in 2000, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Dr. Mahir Tevruz Scientific Research Award, Tübitak and Brain Research Society Wheyt Award in 2001, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Hamit Ziya Gokalp Young Neurosurgeons Research Award, 2nd Place in 2002, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Yildiz Yalcinlar Scientific Research Award in 2004.

In 2010, he went to Cyprus to found the Near East University Faculty of Medicine Hospital with the guidance of Hacettepe University, and was appointed as full Professor. Between 2010-2015, he served as the Founder and Head of Department at the Near East University and Founder and Deputy Chief Physician at the University Training and Research Hospital in TRNC.

In 2000-2001, he served as a member of the editorial board for Türk Nöroşirurji Dergisi and Turkish Neurosurgery journal. Between the years 2001-2006, he served as an assistant editor for Türk Nöroşirurji Dergisi and Turkish Neurosurgery journals. In 2002-2003, he served as the Chairman of the Young Neurosurgeons Committee under the Turkish Neurosurgical Society. He was elected to the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors to serve between 2003-2009. In 2013, he was again elected as a member to the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors. In 2015, he became the Chairman of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors. In 2018, he was elected as a member to the Board of Turkish Neurosurgery Academy.

In 2015, he was appointed to the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery and was elected as the Head of Department. During the same period, he also served as the Director of the Institute of Neuroscience. In 2018, he completed his tenure as the Head of Department. Reaching the end of this tenure in 2019, he retired from his duties as the Director of the Institute of Neuroscience and as a Member of the Faculty of Medicine. During his tenure at Marmara University, he supervised and accompanied surgical operations for complex cases from cranial patients to brain tumors (gliomas, meningiomas and hypophysis adenomas in particular), cerebral hemorrhages, Parkinson’s disease, trauma and vascular neurosurgery. He performed complex spinal surgery operations such as surgeries for spinal deformities (e.g. scoliosis and kyphosis), thoracoscopic spinal surgeries and sacral tumor surgeries. He conducted research and experimental studies on therapy and regeneration in spinal cord injuries. Between 2019-2020, currently He continues his clinical practice and surgeries along with his local and international academic studies, from his private clinic and Istanbul Brain and Spine Center.

He has attended numerous national and international courses and meetings as an instructor and speaker, was a guest speaker in over 100 events and conferences. He has published 65 international, 35 national scientific articles, edited 7 books, written 52 book chapters. He has served in the organizational committee 5 times in international meetings and 22 times in national meetings.

He is a member of the Turkish Medical Association, Turkish Cypriot Medical Association, Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Turkish Spine Society, EUROSPINE, AO Spine, Turkish Neurosurgery Academy.

Education and Career

2011 – 2015, (Internal Medicine Specialist) Istanbul University Istanbul School of Education and Career

Medicine Department of Internal Medicine

2015 – 2016, (Internal Medicine) Specialist Istanbul Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital

2016 – 2019, (Medical Oncology) Istanbul University Istanbul School of Medicine Department of Medical Oncology

2019 – 2021, (Medical Oncology Specialist) - Istanbul Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital

2021 – 2024, (Associate Professor) Marmara University School of Medicine Department of Medical Oncology

Memberships in Scientific Organizations

ASCO

ESMO

TTOD 

AVOD 

Publications

In the field of oncology, he has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles at both international and national levels.

Awards Received

EAACI The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2019 Best Poster Award

"The top 3rd verbal presentation, IGICC (11th International Gastrointestinal Cancers Conference – IGICC2021)"

Speeches Delivered at National Congresses, Conferences, and Symposia:

Courses, Meetings, and Certificates

ESMO certified Medical Oncologist since 2019

Prof. Dr. Sait Öztürk is a neurosurgeon based in Istanbul, Türkiye. He specializes in the surgical treatment of movement disorders, functional neurosurgery, and epilepsy surgery.

Educational Background:

• -Graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine (English) in 2007.
• -Completed neurosurgery specialization at Fırat University in 2014.
• -Trained at United States Harvard Medical School Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in under Prof. Dr. Ron L. Alterman.

Professional Experience:

Served as Assistant Professor (2015 to 2019) and Associate Professor (2019 to 2021) at Fırat University.

• Currently practices at Medical Park Bahçelievler Hospital in Istanbul.

Specializations:

• -Epilepsy Surgery
• -Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery
• -Brain Tumors
• -Lumbar and Cervical Disc Herniation
• -Spinal Cord Tumors
• -Spasticity Surgery
• -Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Epilepsy Implant) Surgery

Notable Achievements:

• -Successfully performed brain pacemaker surgery on a dystonia patient who remained awake watching cartoons during the procedure.
• -Assisted a Romanian painter with Parkinson's disease to resume painting after deep brain stimulation surgery.
• -Provided relief to a Saudi Arabian patient suffering from severe depression through brain pacemaker surgery.
  -The first physician to perform deep brain stimulation surgery in diseases such as drug-resistant epilepsy and treatment-resistant major depression in Russia, the Middle East, the Balkans, Turkey and the Turkic Republics.

Professional Memberships:

• -Turkish Neurosurgical Society
• -European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS)
• -International Neuromodulation Society (INS)
• -Board member of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society's Education and Training
  -Group for Stereotactic, Functional, Pain, and Epilepsy Surger
  
  Scientific Awards and Scholarships Received

Scholarships and Awards

1)The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) Scholarship for International Observership/Post-Doctoral Research Program.

2)International Residency Scholarship for International Basic Neurosurgery Course, Term I – Course III: Spine and Peripheral Nerve, Antalya, Turkey, 2014 (organized by the Turkish Neurosurgical Society).

3)Scientific Award – The Effect of Radiation on Endothelin-1 Levels in Brain Tissue and Tumor Formation. Kaplan M, Kılınç A, Öztürk S, İlhan N, Gurocak S, Gönen M. Presented at the 10th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Society of Neurosurgery, 2014, İzmir, Turkey.

4) Scientific Award – Morphological Anatomy of the Corpus Callosum in Patients with Open Spinal Dysraphism and Its Relationship with Hydrocephalus. Öztürk S, Serin HM, Kaplan M. Presented at the 10th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Society of Neurosurgery, 25-28 October 2014, İzmir, Turkey.

5)International Residency Scholarship for International Basic Neurosurgery Course, Term I – Course IV: Neurovascular Surgery, 14-17 April 2015, Antalya, Turkey (organized by the Turkish Neurosurgical Society).

6) First Prize Award – Comparison of Collagen Type IX Levels in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation. Kaplan M, Arıcı L, Hergünsel OB, Şimşek BÇ, Öztürk S, Erol FS. 11th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Society of Neurosurgery, 5-8 November 2015, Antalya, Turkey.

7)International Residency Scholarship for International Basic Neurosurgery Course, Term II – Course I: Neurotrauma and Functional Neurosurgery, 5-8 April 2016, Antalya, Turkey (organized by the Turkish Neurosurgical Society).

8)Third Prize Award (Best Oral Presentations of the Year) – Evaluation of MTHFR c677t, MTHFR a1298c, PAI-1, Factor II, and Factor V Polymorphisms in Patients with Open Spinal Dysraphism and Their Healthy Mothers. Öztürk S, Çakın H, Kara M, Kaplan M, Erol FS.

9)First Prize Award – Effects of Intrathecal Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester on IL-6, TNF-Alpha, and Local Inflammatory Responses in Spinal Cord Injury. Akgün B, Öztürk S, Artaş G, Erol FS, Kaplan M. 12th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Society of Neurosurgery, 13-16 October 2016, Fethiye/Muğla, Turkey.

10) First Prize Award (Neurosurgery Field – Best Research of the Year) – Smartphones and Programmable Shunts: Are These Phones as Reliable as They Are Smart? Öztürk S, Çakın H, Kurtuldu H, Koçak O, Erol FS, Kaplan M..

11)International Residency Scholarship for International Basic Neurosurgery Course, Term II – Course II: Neuro-oncology, 15-19 March 2017, Antalya, Turkey (organized by the Turkish Neurosurgical Society).

12)Prof. Dr. Hamit Ziya Gökalp Young Neurosurgeons Scientific Encouragement Award – 2018. 32nd Scientific Congress of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society, 20-24 April 2018, Antalya, Turkey.
 

PhD/Specialization Thesis

Sait ÖZTÜRK – Evaluation of Hearing Function by Auditory Brain Response in Newborn Patients with Hydrocephalus before and after Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Surgery

Institution: Fırat University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery

Year: 2015

Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Fatih Serhat EROL

Articles published in National or International Journals

1)Kaplan M, Cakin H, Ozdemir N, Gocmez C, Öztürk S, Erol FS. Is the elapsed time following the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter an individual risk factor for shunt fractures? Pediatr Neurosurg. 2012.

2)Erol FS, Kaplan M, Öztürk S. Surgical treatment of Parkinson's disease. Türkiye Klinikleri J Neurol-Special Topics 2012

3)Erol FS, Öztürk S, Akgun B, Cakın H, Kaplan M. How innocent is corpus callosum dysgenesis? Pediatric Neurosurgery 2013.

4)Kaplan M, Koparan M, Sarı A, Öztürk S, Kaplan SK, Erol FS. Can behenic acid (C22:0) levels be a prognostic factor in glial tumors? Canedey Journal of Neurological Sciences 2013.

5)Çakın H, Kaplan M, Öztürk S, Kazez A. Intrathoracic migration of ventriculoperitoneal shunt through Morgagni's hernia in a Down syndrome patient: a rare shunt complication. Neurol India. 2013.

6)Erol FS, Cakin H, Öztürk S, Donmez O, Kaplan M. Free-floating ventricular shunt catheter between lateral ventricles: a case report of an unusual ventriculoperitoneal shunt complication. Türk Neurosurg. 2013.

7)Kaplan M, Öztürk S, Cakin H, Akgun B, Onur MR, Erol FS. Sacrococcygeal sinus angle: a new anatomic landmark for the posterior approach of presacral lesions. Eur Spine J 2014.

8)Akgun B, Öztürk S, Cakin H, Kaplan M. Migration of fragments into the spinal canal after intervertebral polyethylene glycol implantation: an extremely rare adverse effect: Case report. J Neurosurg Spine. 2014.

9)Erol FS, Öztürk S, Çakın H, Akın MM. Spontaneous rupture of intracranial dermoid cyst mimicking a primary psychiatric disorder. Archive of Neuropsychiatry 2014.

10)Öztürk S, Serin HM, Kaplan M. Morphological anatomy of corpus callosum in patients with opened spinal dysraphism and the relationship between hydrocephalus. Global Journal of Human Anatomy and Physiology Research 2014.

11)Öztürk S, Cakin H, Kaplan M. Spontaneous recanalization of traumatic transverse sinus occlusion despite the persistence of depression fracture. Journal of Pediatric Neurology. 2015.

12)Öztürk S, Akgun B, Erol FS, Okcesiz I, Yıldırım H. Schwannoma of the medial cord of the brachial plexus: An uncommon localization. Neurology India 2015.

13)Akgun B, Öztürk S, Ucer O, Erol FS. Epithelioid hemangioma of the thoracic spine. Neurology India 2015.

(The list continues with more articles. If you need all items, please specify.)

National or International Symposium, Congress, or Conference Presentations

1)Öztürk S, Kaplan M, Önder S. Spinal nerve root-origin diffuse astrocytoma. 25th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Neurosurgery Association, April, 2011, Antalya, Turkey.

2)Öztürk S, Kaplan M, Sarı A, Çakın H, Erol FS. Can behenic acid levels be used as a prognostic marker for grading of glial tumors? 5th International Congress of Nutrition and Cancer, 2012, Elazığ, Turkey.

3)Erol FS, Öztürk S, Kaplan M. How innocent are corpus callosum dysgeneses? 26th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Neurosurgery Association, April 2012, Antalya, Turkey.

4)Erol FS, Çakın H, Kaplan M, Öztürk S. Free-floating ventricular shunt catheter as a VP shunt complication; Case report. 26th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Neurosurgery Association, April 2012, Antalya, Turkey.

5)Öztürk S, Çakın H, Kaplan M, Erol FS. Age as a risk factor in post-traumatic epilepsy among cerebral contusion patients. VIII. Scientific Congress of the Nervous Sy Surgery Association, September 2012, Gaziantep, Turkey.

(More presentations available upon request.)

Assoc. Prof. Ozdogan, M.D., Ph.D., completed his education at Yeditepe University Health Sciences Institute in the Molecular Medicine Doctorate Program under Prof. Dr. Turgay İsbir, and he also studied at Saint Louis University in Arkansas, USA, with Prof. Dr. M. Gazi Yasargil. He pursued a Clinical Fellowship in Brain and Nerve Surgery at Yeditepe University Hospital, guided by Prof. Dr. Yasargil and Prof. Dr. Uğur Türe. Additionally, he underwent specialization training at Ufuk University Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Medicine at Gazi University, and completed his secondary education at İçel Anatolian High School.

Professionally, he has held various positions, including Faculty Member in the Department of Neurosurgery at Haliç University, and Associate Professor at Private Adatip Istanbul Hospital and Biruni University Hospital. He has also served as an Associate Professor at S.B.U. Kartal, Sancaktepe, and Istanbul Training and Research Hospitals, and worked as a Chief Assistant at S.B.U. Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim and Kartal Training and Research Hospitals. His earlier roles include Specialist Doctor at S.B.U. Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Hospital and Mus State Hospital, as well as Clinical Fellow at Yeditepe University Faculty of Medicine Hospital.

Assoc. Prof. Özdoğan is a member of several professional associations, including the Turkish Neurosurgery Association, Turkish Spine Association, and the Turkish Neurosurgery Society’s Neuroanatomy, Neurovascular, and Neurooncology Groups. He is also affiliated with the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies.

Education and Specialization:

• Medical Degree: Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine (1981)
• Specialization in Neurosurgery: Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Neurosurgery Department

Professional Experience:

• 1994-1998: Associate Professor and Head of the Neurosurgery Department, Kocaeli University
• 1998-Present: Professor and Head of the Neurosurgery Department, Kocaeli University
• Current Position: Neurosurgeon at VM Medical Park Pendik Hospital

International Experience:

• 1993: Observer at The Midland Centre for Neurosurgery and Neurology, Birmingham, UK
• Trained in syringomyelia and stereotactic neurosurgery under Bernard Williams, M.D., and Edward R. Hitchcock, M.D.

Clinical Experience:

• Performed over 5629 endoscopic surgeries including:
  • 4384 Pituitary Adenomas
  • 209 Rathke's Cleft Cysts
  • 152 Craniopharyngiomas
  • 121 Chordomas/Chondrosarcomas
  • 98 Tuberculum Sellae Meningiomas and other pathologies in the sellar region

Research and Publications: Prof. Dr. Savaş Ceylan has numerous publications in internationally recognized journals, covering a wide range of neurosurgical topics. His research includes pioneering work in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors and other sellar region pathologies.

Professional Memberships:

• American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
• Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
• Academia Eurasiana Neurochirurgica
• International Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (IFNE)
• World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Skull Base Committee
• Turkish Neurosurgery Association
• Turkish Society of Nervous Sy Surgery

Awards:

• 2016 Turkish Neurosurgery Association Service Award
• Scientific Publication Awards from Kocaeli University

Dr. Ceylan Sengul is a child development specialist who works with children aged 0-6 years. She has strong experience with developmental issues such as learning difficulties, ADHD, speech delays, and delayed toilet training. She also helps children with aggressive behaviors, eating disorders, depression, social phobia, panic attacks, addictions, and psychosomatic symptoms.

Dr. Sengul is known for treating school problems, trauma, sibling rivalry, low self-confidence, mood disorders, gender identity concerns, urinary incontinence, and body image issues. She uses evidence-based methods and has helped many children and families achieve better outcomes.

Dr. Canan Yildirim is a neonatology and pediatric specialist. She earned her medical degree from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine (English). She completed her residency in Child Health and Diseases at Hacettepe University. She also received a minor in Neonatology from Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Training and Research Hospital.

Dr. Yildirim has worked as a Neonatology Specialist and Associate at Istanbul Medipol University Faculty of Medicine. She has also held important positions at Samsun Maternity and Child Hospital and Zekai Tahir Burak Hospital. She has strong clinical experience and has conducted pediatric research at Hacettepe University. Dr. Yildirim is known for her skills in neonatal care and child health.

Education:

Medical Faculty, Trakya University,  

Edirne, Turkey (1994-2000)

Professional Experience:

General Practitioner and Emergency Physician

Bartın (2000-2004)

Specialization:  

Department of Neurosurgery, S.B. Göztepe Training and Research Hospital,  

Istanbul (2004-2010)

Participation in the Accreditation Process by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) during  

Specialization (2004-2010)

Completion of Compulsory Service as Specialist Physician

Tokat State Hospital, Tokat (2010-2012)

Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery

Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat (2012-2014)

Contribution to the Establishment of the Department of Neurosurgery at Medipol University  

(2012-2014)

Lecturer

Medipol University, Istanbul (2012-2014)

Specialist Physician

Memorial Istanbul Hospitals, Istanbul (2014-2018)

Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences

Eurasia University, Istanbul (2014-2021)

Associate Professor in the field of Neurosurgery (2021- )

Specialist Physician

Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, Istanbul (2018-2021)

Specialist Physician

Liv Hospital Ulus, Istanbul (2021-2023)

2023 –

Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul

Skills and Achievements:

Obtained Associate Professorship in the field of Neurosurgery (2021)

Experience in Academic Teaching and Management (2012-2021)

Proficiency in Turkish (Native) and English (Advanced)

Prof. Dr. Salih Murat İmer is a neurosurgeon with over 30 years of experience. He founded and led the Neurosurgery Department at Okan University Hospital. He has written 68 scientific articles and contributed to 9 book chapters. Dr. İmer has also presented at 33 international congresses, showing his influence in neurosurgery worldwide.

Dr. İmer holds advanced certifications in functional and stereotactic neurosurgery, Leksell Gamma Knife radiosurgery, and endoscopic spine surgery. He received specialized training in several European countries. He has worked with leading experts such as Prof. Matti Vapalahti and Prof. Juha Hernesniemi. Through these collaborations, he has helped improve neurosurgical practice and education around the world.

Dr. Hilmi Apak is a respected pediatric hematology-oncology specialist with more than 21 years of experience. He is trained in pediatric oncology. Dr. Apak has led advanced treatments, including , leukemia chemotherapy, and CAR T-therapy.

He has published 75 international medical articles, showing his strong contribution to pediatric oncology research. Dr. Apak has worked as assistant editor for the Turkish Pediatrics Archives Periodical. He has also held important academic and leadership positions, such as Head of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa.

EDUCATION:

• Turhan and Mediha Tansel Primary School (1979–1984)
• Kültür College (1984–1988)
• Semiha Şakir High School (1988–1991)
• Marmara University Faculty of Medicine (1991–1997)
• Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Neurosurgery Department, Specialist Training (1997–2002)
• Title of Associate Professor in Neurosurgery (May 31, 2021)

ADDITIONAL TRAINING:

• "Visiting Physician," University of Southern California, Department of Neurosurgery (1998)
• "Microsurgery Training," GATA (Gülhane Military Medical Academy), Ankara Education and Research Hospital (2003)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Gülhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpaşa Training and Research Hospital (2002–2003)
• Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital (2003–2005)
• Private Avicenna Ataşehir Hospital (2005–2012)
• Private 29 Mayıs Hospital (2012–2013)
• Maltepe State Hospital (2013–2018)
• Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital (2018–2020)
• Private Academic Hospital (2020–2022)
• Hisar Intercontinental Hospital (2022–2024)
• Private Medipol Acıbadem Regional Hospital (2024–Present)

ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC ROLES:

• Board Member, Neurosurgical Society (2006–2009)
• Head of the Emergency Department, Maltepe State Hospital (2014–2016)
• Deputy Chief Physician, Private Academic Hospital (2020–2021)
• Advisory Board Member, Beykent University Faculty of Medicine (2018–2024)
• Faculty Member, Galata University Faculty of Health Sciences (2022–2024)
• Director, Continuous Education Center, Galata University (2022–2024)

Education & Academic Qualifications

License (MD)

Field: Medicine

University: Istanbul University

Year: 1987

Residency

Field: Cardiovascular Surgery

Institution: Siyami Ersek Heart Center

Years: 1988–1994

Clinical Fellowship

Field: Cardiovascular Surgery

Institution: University of Ottawa Heart Center (Canada)

Years: 1994–1995

Academic Titles & Positions

Assistant Professor

Field: Cardiovascular Surgery

Institution: Siyami Ersek Heart Center

Years: 1995–2008

Professor

Field: Cardiovascular Surgery

Institution: Altınbaş University

Years: 2014–2019

Membership in Scientific and Professional Organizations

-Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery

-European Society for Cardiovascular Surgery

-European Society for Vascular Surgery

My 34 years of medicine – which is more than half my life… After thousands of surgeries, the excitement and sense of responsibility of the first day still outweigh it. My father was a doctor, a neurologist too. I would always give the same response to those asking what I would be in elementary and secondary school: Neurosurgeon. When I started my neurosurgery residency at Haydarpaşa Numune Hospital in 1992, my childhood goal was fulfilled. Two points have always stood out from the others throughout my medical career: 1. Don’t harm anyone. 2. The most important relationship between the doctor and patient is the relationship of trust. In line with the principle of “first do no harm” in Turkish with “primum non nocere” in Latin, I have always preferred to perform secured surgeries under the microscope from smaller incisions. I didn’t perform any surgery that I wasn’t sure the patient would benefit from. So I’ve always been in a position to convince myself first of the need for surgery. Then I convince my patient. I kept in mind that the most important relationship between surgeon and patient is the relationship of trust. How can a person entrust his life to someone he saw 15 minutes ago without a relationship of trust? I cared about this relationship lasting post-surgery and even for life. I’ve had the first walks of my patients that I’ve operated in 28 years. Sometimes even after midnight many times… I’ve always cared about some patients’ feeling of their need to see their physician even at 03.00 o’clock midnight. I don’t mind giving all my patients my cell phone number. I would want my physician to be available at any time as needed. That’s what I do for my patients. In these lines, I felt the need to describe my view of medicine. Anyone who wonders anyway can reach my resume and my publications.