Prof. M.D. Ayten Ferahbaş Kesikoğlu

My 4-year-old son developed a terrifying, rapidly spreading rash after a seaside holiday in Bodrum. It was late Friday evening, and we were in panic. Dr. Ayten not only agreed to see us immediately at Acıbadem Kadıköy but greeted us with such calm reassurance. She diagnosed a severe phototoxic reaction to a specific sunscreen combined with lime juice—something I'd never heard of. Her explanation to my frightened child, using a stuffed animal to demonstrate 'angry skin cells,' was genius. The treatment plan worked within 48 hours. She followed up with a personal call on Sunday morning. This wasn't just dermatology; it was pediatric care at its most compassionate.

As a 72-year-old with a history of basal cell carcinoma, I'm no stranger to dermatologists. My case involved a suspicious lesion on my nasal ala, a tricky location. Dr. Kesikoğlu proposed a complex Mohs micrographic surgery, explaining each layer's mapping with a clarity I'd never experienced. During the procedure at the hospital, her focus was surgical precision, but her demeanor remained warm, constantly checking if I was comfortable. The reconstruction was artistry—the scar is virtually invisible. But what truly sets her apart was the six-month follow-up. She didn't just examine the site; she conducted a full-body mole scan with a new digital dermoscope, catching a very early melanoma on my back I had missed. She didn't treat a spot; she saved my life, twice.

This was supposed to be a routine annual skin check. I'm a 30-year-old software engineer with many moles. Dr. Ayten Ferahbaş, however, practices anything but 'routine.' She spent a full hour with me, not just looking, but interrogating each mole's history with a dermatoscope that displayed images on a screen. She found nothing malignant but diagnosed a patch of persistent dryness on my shins as a rare presentation of early-stage lichen planus, linked to my recent stress. She created a holistic plan involving specific emollients and mild topical treatment, and more importantly, discussed stress management. She emailed me curated, scientific articles about the mind-skin connection. She treats the patient in the skin, not just the skin on the patient.

I arrived as an emergency referral from my internist with a sudden, debilitating outbreak of blistering sores in my mouth and on my genitals. I was in agony and profound embarrassment. Dr. Kesikoğlu met me with zero judgment, only profound clinical acumen. She diagnosed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome triggered by a new antibiotic, a potentially life-threatening condition. She coordinated my immediate admission to Acıbadem Kadıköy, liaising directly with internal medicine and ophthalmology (as SJS can affect the eyes). Her daily visits were a masterclass in managing both severe physical pathology and intense patient anxiety. She held my hand during the first painful dressing change. Her aggressive yet measured treatment protocol pulled me through the crisis. My follow-up care involves managing post-SJS pigmentation, and her meticulous, almost obsessive attention to detail in this restorative phase gives me hope. She is a crisis manager and a healer.