Assoc. Prof. MD. Hatice Yelda Yildiz

My 82-year-old mother, who has advanced Parkinson's, was dismissed by three other neurologists who said nothing more could be done for her tremors and recurrent falls. Dr. Hatice Yelda Yildiz refused to accept that. She spent over an hour in the initial consultation, not just examining her, but truly listening to her frustrations about losing independence. She proposed a complete revision of her deep brain stimulation (DBS) programming, a procedure she performed herself at Liv Hospital. She explained the complex adjustments in a way we could understand, using simple analogies. It wasn't a miracle cure, but the reduction in her rigidity and the return of her ability to feed herself with a steady hand has been life-changing. Her follow-up is meticulous; she even calls us to check in. She treats the patient, not just the disease.

Our 7-year-old son started having these strange 'absence' episodes, he'd just stare blankly for 10 seconds and then snap back, unaware. We were terrified it was a brain tumor. Dr. Yildiz met us in the clinic with such calm assurance. She didn't jump to an MRI. Instead, she had us film an episode on our phone. Watching it, she gently explained the specific features of childhood absence epilepsy. She drew a simple diagram of brain electricity for our son, calling them 'little brain sparkles,' which took his fear away. She started him on a low-dose medication with a detailed plan. At our last visit, she celebrated with him, 'EEG is clear, captain!', and gave him a small toy telescope for being brave. She navigates pediatric neurology with a rare blend of sharp science and heartfelt warmth.

I was admitted through the ER at Liv Hospital Bahcesehir at 3 AM with sudden, horrific vertigo, vomiting, and a violent, uncontrollable jerking of my left eye (nystagmus). The ER team called Dr. Yildiz, who came in from home. In the chaotic ER bay, her presence was instantly grounding. She performed a rapid, precise neurological exam, having me follow her finger through my dizziness. She diagnosed a lateral medullary stroke (Wallenberg syndrome) within minutes, a diagnosis the initial CT had missed. Her decisiveness in ordering an immediate MRI perfusion and coordinating with interventional radiology was breathtaking. She stood by my gurney, explaining the clot's location in my vertebral artery with a clarity that cut through my panic. Her emergency intervention was flawless, and her daily rounds during my recovery were filled with both rigorous assessment and genuine encouragement. She saved my brain function and my peace of mind.

As a 45-year-old software engineer with worsening chronic migraine, I came to Dr. Yildiz for a routine checkup on my preventive medication. It was anything but routine. She didn't just ask about headache days; she asked about screen time, sleep patterns, stress triggers at work, and even my diet and hydration. She reviewed my headache diary and spotted a pattern I'd missed, a link to specific project deadlines. Instead of just increasing my dose, she proposed a truly holistic plan: a slight medication tweak, a referral to a specific physiotherapist for neck posture (common in my field), and biofeedback techniques. She emailed me curated, scientific articles on the gut-brain axis and migraine. Her approach is like that of a master detective and a strategic coach combined. She manages a 'routine' condition with extraordinary, personalized depth.