M.D. Mehmet Tam

When my husband, 61, suffered a sudden aortic dissection while sailing, the coast guard radioed ahead. Dr. Tam met the boat at the dock with a fully prepared trauma team. His decision to perform a rare bedside procedure before reaching the OR stabilized him just enough for successful surgery. His ability to make critical decisions in motion saved a life that day.

As a 72-year-old retired fisherman with a rare allergic reaction to a Mediterranean jellyfish sting, I arrived at Bodrum Medical Center struggling to breathe. Dr. Tam recognized symptoms mimicking a heart attack but traced it to anaphylaxis from an undocumented allergy. His calm demeanor while administering epinephrine and coordinating with toxicology saved my life. His follow-up included creating a personalized marine hazard avoidance plan for my daily swims.

My 8-year-old daughter fell from an ancient castle wall during our family vacation. With a compound fracture and signs of head trauma, Dr. Tam's team moved with incredible synchronization. He personally held her hand while explaining each step in simple terms, even as he directed the trauma team. The psychological care he provided her—and us—was as remarkable as the surgical precision of his work.

I'm a 34-year-old professional windsurfer who sustained a complex shoulder dislocation during a competition. Dr. Tam didn't just reduce the dislocation; he analyzed my biomechanics through video review and collaborated with a sports specialist to create a recovery protocol that considered my competitive season. His emergency intervention became the foundation for my strongest competitive year yet.