Chief of Cardiac Surgery
Highly regarded medical professional with extensive experience in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, performing groundbreaking procedures, and leading highly successful departments to advance healthcare treatments worldwide. Accomplished professional that has pioneered surgeries, published over 100 papers in international journals, and presented over 2K lectures worldwide. Expert surgeon with strong record of founding and leading associations, creating departments to support cardiovascular treatments, and facilitating comprehensive instruction to bolster student knowledge and practice of advanced medical procedures/treatments.
Professional Expertise Fields
Minimally Invasive Coronary Bypass Surgery Heart TX and Ventricular Assist Device Implantation | Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery Total Arterial Coronary Bypass Surgery
| Minimally Invasive Congenital Cardiac Surgery Congenital Heart Surgery
| Coronary Artery Bypass Operations Adult Congenital Heart Surgery |
Pioneering Accomplishments in Surgery
First Heart-Lung Transplantation (1998) First Heart Transplantation in Child (1998) First Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (1999) First PDA Closure by VATS (1999) | First Domino Procedure (1999) Thoracoscopic Excision of Hydatic Cyst in Lung (2000) Minimal Invasive Excision of Hydatic Cyst in Lung (2000)
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Professional Experience
1989-2023 (Present) – Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
2004-2023 (Present) – President, Heart and Health Foundation of Turkey
2014-2016 – President, European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery
2009 – Heart Transplantation Center License Renewal, Dokuz Eylül University
2000 – Launched Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Program for Adult Patients, Dokuz Eylul University
1996 – Assigned as Professor at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Dokuz Eylül University
1996 – Launched Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Program for Child Patients, Dokuz Eylul University
1990 – Founded Pediatric and Newborn Heart Surgery Program, Dokuz Eylul University
1989-2001 – Founding Chairman of Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University
1989 – House Surgeon, Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit, Royal Infirmary Hospital, Edinburgh
Education
2011 – Received Ministry of Health of Turkey Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Certificate
1996 – Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University
1990 – Associate Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University
1986-1989 – Military Service at Gülhane Military Academy Hospital and Compulsory Service at Higher Specialization Hospital of Turkey
1980-1986 – Specialization Training in Cardiovascular Surgery (Clinical Directors: Prof. Dr. Aydın Aytac and Prof. Dr. Yüksel Bozer), Hacettepe University
1974-1980 – School of Medicine, Hacettepe University
Professional Affiliations
2004 – Fellow, American College of Cardiology (FACC)
2002 – Member, European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (ESCVS)
2001 – Fellow, European Society of Cardiology (FESC)
2000 – Member, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)
1996 – Member, Turkish Association of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery
1995 – Member, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery
1993 – Member, National Society of Vascular and Cardiovascular Surgery
1992 – Member, European Organ Transplant Association
1992 – Member, European Society of Vascular Surgery
1992 – Member, European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS)
1987 – Member, Turkish Society of Vascular Surgery
1987 – Board Member, Mediterranean Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery
International and National Duties and Professional Activities
2023 – Chairman, Asian Heart Society Council on Cardiovascular Surgery
2005-2024 – President, International Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery (UCCVS) (Annual congress organization of Heart and Heart Foundation of Turkey)
2012-2014 – President, of European Society for Cardiovascular and Endovascular Surgery
2011 – Director of Transplantation Institute, Dokuz Eylul University
2010 – Treasurer, European Society for Cardiovascular and Endovascular Surgery
2010 – President, 59th Congress of the European Society for Cardiovascular and Endovascular Surgery in conjunction with 6th International Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery
2009 – Board Member, European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery Cardiac
2008-2009 – 1st and 2nd Training Courses of GUCH Working Group in European Society of Cardiology in conjunction with 4th and 5th International Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery
2007 – ISMICS Winter Workshop Presidency 3th International Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery
2007 – Treasurer, Working Group of GUCH in European Society of Cardiology
2005 – Cardiovascular Advisory to the Board of the European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery, European Society of Cardiology Adult Congenital Heart Disease Working Group Treasurer, Founder President
2004-2023 (Present) – Founder of Heart and Health Foundation of Turkey
2004 – Founder President, Turkish Society of Cardiology, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Working Group
2002-2004 – Chairman, Working Group of Cardiovascular Surgery in European Society of Cardiology
2002 – Chair of the European Society of Cardiology Adult Congenital Heart Disease Working Group
2000 – 2002 Vice Chairman, Working Group of Cardiovascular Surgery in European Society of Cardiology,
1998 – Vice President, Cardiovascular Working Group of the European Society of Cardiology
1998 – Vice President, European Society of Cardiology Adult Congenital Heart Disease Working Group
1996-1998 – President, Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Symposiums in Izmir
1996 – President, 8th National Vascular Surgery Congress
1996 – Board Member, National Society of Pediatric Cardiology
1995-1999 – President, Local Monthly Cardiovascular Surgery Meetings in Izmir
1995 – Establishment and Presidency, National Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Association Izmir Branch
1993 – President, European Society of Cardiology Cardiovascular Surgery Working Group
1987 – Board Member, Mediterranean Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery
International Editorial Duties
Heart Surgery Forum
Innovations
E-Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine (Editor-in-Chief)
Congress Scientific Programme Committee Membership
European Society of Cardiology Congress (ESC)
International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery Congress (ISMICS)
World Congress of Cardiology (WCC)
The European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery Congress (ESCVS)
International Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery (UCCVS)
Scholarships – Certificates – Awards
2011 – Best Innovative Surgeon Award, Euro – Asian Bridge Meeting
1974 – Cumhuriyet High School, Ankara “First Degree Graduation”
Read moreIstanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Medicine, 02/07/2013
Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Cardiovascular Surgery, 20/12/2018
Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine: 2013-2019
Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital: 2019-2021
Istanbul Training Research Hospital: 2021-2023
Biruni University Hospital: 2023-Present
National Society of Vascular Surgery Congress-Oral Paper 2.2nd prize:
ÖZTAŞ DİDEM MELİS, Meriç Mert, BEYAZ METİN ONUR, Önalan Mehmet Akif, Bahşeliyev Şiraslan, SÖNMEZ KIVILCIM, ÖTER KEREM, ZİYADE SEDAT, ÖMER BEYHAN, ALPAGUT İBRAHİM UFUK, UĞURLUCAN MURAT (2019). Investigation of the Effect of Erythropoietin on Cell Level in Cardiovascular Tissue in Diabetic Rats. 19th National Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Congress.
Education
Major degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) Medical School University of Perugia, Italy. (2000-2006)
Internship at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, “S. Maria della Misericordia” University Hospital, Perugia, Italy. (2005 – 2006)
Clinical registration for Medicine and Surgery, “S. Maria della Misericordia” University Hospital, Perugia, Italy. (2006 – 2007)
Completion of the Italian Board Exams for the Medical and Surgical profession (Esame di Stato). Marks 262.5 / 270. Medical School University of Perugia, Italy. (June 2007)
Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Cardiac Surgery. Marks 50/50. Thesis: “Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) – A single centre experience”. Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (July 2014)
Training and Professional Experience
Junior Clinical Fellow in Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiac Surgery, “S. Maria della Misericordia” University Hospital, Perugia, Italy. (2007 – 2008)
Clinical Fellow in Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiac Surgery, “S. Maria della Misericordia” University Hospital, Perugia, Italy. (2008 – 2009)
Resident in Cardiac Surgery (CTh), Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (2009 – 2014)
Cardiac Surgery Trainees Representative and Member of the Board of the School of Cardiac Surgery. “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (2011 – 2014)
Fellowship in Heart Transplant, Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (2011 – 2012)
Fellowship in Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (2013 – 2014)
Chief Resident in Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (2013 – 2014)
Fellowship in Adult Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, St. Georges University Hospital, London, UK. (2014 – 2015)
Senior Specialty doctor in Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Hull and East Yorkshire University Hospital, Hull, UK. (2015 – 2022)
Lead of Trust Appointed Doctors to the SCTS for the Cardio-thoracic Unit, Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Hull and East Yorkshire University Hospital, Hull, UK. (2020 – 2022)
Director of the Cardiac Surgery Unit, German Medical Institute, Limassol, Cyprus. (2022 – present)
Scientific Activity
MD: Thesis: “The importance of the surgical timing on post-operative outcome in patients with acute endocarditis of native valve”. Medical School University of Perugia, Italy. (April 2005 – December 2006)
Collaborator at the multi-centre National project “Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Provision of Cardiac Surgery in the UK”. Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Hull and East Yorkshire University Hospital, Hull, UK. (2020 – 2022)
Co-investigator at the COMICs multi-centre International Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) comparing Mini-Bypass (MIECC) with conventional bypass. Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Hull and East Yorkshire University Hospital, Hull, UK. (2018 – 2022)
Co-investigator at the ROUTE multi-centre international registry, aimed to analyse the effectiveness and safety of Transaortic (TAo)-TAVI as a first line approach and to compare it to patients receiving TAo-TAVI as a last resort, which is current practice. Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, “San Matteo” University Hospital, Pavia, Italy. (2013 – 2014)
Special Interest
Myocardial revascularisation (coronary by-pass surgery with MIECC)
Aortic surgery (thoracic aorta aneurysm repair)
Aortic valve replacement or repair (minimal invasive, TAVI)
Mitral valve surgery (replacement or repair)
Heart transplant
Memberships
Founder member of the Cypriot Society of Cardiothoracic surgeons (CSCTS) founded in 2023.
Member of the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS)
Member of the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (SCTS) in Great Britain and Ireland
Registration at the Cypriot Ministry of Health as Specialist in Cardiac Surgery (2016)
GMC-UK Specialist Register: Cardiothoracic Surgery (2014)
Italian Medical Council (Ordine dei Medici-Chirurghi): Full Registration with Licence to practise (2008 – 2014)
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