Assoc. Prof. MD. Mehmet Hilmi Dogu

As an 82-year-old with myelodysplastic syndrome, I had been shuffled between clinics for years, treated like a collection of lab values. Dr. Dogu changed everything. During our first consultation at Liv Hospital Bahcesehir, he spent 45 minutes not just reviewing my bone marrow biopsy slides with me on his monitor, but asking about my garden, how fatigue affected my daily tea ritual with my grandchildren. His treatment plan wasn't just about blood counts; it included practical pacing strategies my daughter could help implement. When I developed an unusual reaction to a new medication, he personally called me at 8 PM to adjust the protocol. He sees the person, not just the pathology. After 18 months under his care, my transfusion intervals have doubled, and I have the energy to attend my grandson's graduation next week.

Our 6-year-old daughter was diagnosed with ITP after presenting with terrifying petechiae. The emergency room at Liv Hospital was efficient, but the real calm came when Dr. Mehmet Hilmi Dogu entered. He knelt to her eye level, showed her the 'little superheroes' (platelets) on his tablet screen, and explained how they were just 'hiding' and needed help to come out and play. For a complex pediatric hematology case, he blended cutting-edge immunology with profound compassion. He coordinated with the pediatric ward to have her IVs placed by their most playful nurse. His follow-up has been meticulous, transitioning her off medication with careful monitoring. He even remembered her favorite cartoon character ('Paw Patrol') at our last visit and had a sticker ready. We trust him completely.

I was the 'complex case' transferred from another city after a failed stem cell harvest for my lymphoma treatment. My previous team was ready to label me a poor candidate. Dr. Dogu, at Istinye University Liv Hospital, refused that narrative. He re-evaluated all my data, ordered a very specific, advanced cytogenetic test I'd never heard of, and discovered a subtle chromosomal marker that suggested a different mobilization protocol. The man is a detective in a white coat. He explained the complex science behind the new approach using clear analogies. The second harvest was a success. His post-transplant follow-up is rigorous; he catches potential GVHD signs before I even feel them. He doesn't just follow protocols; he engineers personalized solutions based on deep hematological insight.

My visit started as a routine checkup for persistent, mild fatigue. Dr. Dogu's 'routine' is anything but superficial. Instead of dismissing my symptoms as stress, his detailed history-taking uncovered my recent unexplained easy bruising and a forgotten episode of gum bleeding. He ordered a specific coagulation panel others hadn't. The diagnosis was a rare, mild inherited factor deficiency. The emotional whiplash from 'probably nothing' to having a named condition was intense. Dr. Dogu managed this masterfully. He spent an hour educating me, providing clear documentation for future surgeons/dentists, and reassuring me about the management. He turned a potentially anxiety-inducing diagnosis into a roadmap for empowered living. His clinic runs like clockwork, but he never makes you feel rushed. A true professor who teaches his patients about their own blood.