Prof. M.D. Hatice İlgen Şaşmaz

As a diplomat family constantly relocating, our 8-year-old son developed severe anxiety-induced asthma attacks in every new country. Dr. Şaşmaz didn't just treat the asthma; she created a 'medical passport' system with visual aids explaining his condition in multiple languages, coordinated with our previous doctors across three continents, and taught him breathing techniques through astronaut training analogies. His last attack was 18 months ago, and he now confidently explains his health to new school nurses.

Our newborn displayed unusual eye movements that seven specialists dismissed as normal. Dr. Şaşmaz, during a routine checkup, noticed a subtle pattern and ordered specialized neuro-ophthalmology tests. She diagnosed a rare congenital nystagmus linked to a genetic condition, then personally video-called with researchers in Sweden to implement an early intervention vision therapy program. Our daughter is now tracking objects at 6 months when we were told she might never focus properly.

A 14-year-old refugee from Syria arrived at Adana Hospital with mysterious joint pain everyone attributed to trauma. Dr. Şaşmaz spent hours through a translator learning about his diet in the camp, discovering he'd been living almost exclusively on donated rice. She diagnosed and treated severe scurvy—a condition none of us imagined possible today—and then organized a nutrition education program for the entire refugee community, preventing similar cases.

My 11-year-old daughter, a competitive gymnast, developed sudden performance anxiety and physical tremors before meets. Other doctors prescribed rest. Dr. Şaşmaz identified a rare coordination disorder triggered by growth spurts, collaborated with a sports physiologist to redesign her training, and created a 'neurological warm-up' regimen. She not only returned to competition but won her regional championship, with Dr. Şaşmaz attending as her honorary team doctor.