Assoc. Prof. M.D. Diğdem Özer Etik

As a 72-year-old retired chemistry professor with a lifelong fascination with fermentation, I developed a rare, persistent gastric infection resistant to multiple antibiotics. Dr. Diğdem Özer Etik didn't just treat the infection—she analyzed my homemade kombucha cultures in her lab, identified the specific probiotic strain causing the imbalance, and designed a targeted antimicrobial protocol that preserved my healthy gut flora. Her interdisciplinary approach between microbiology and gastroenterology was nothing short of brilliant.

My 8-year-old daughter, a competitive gymnast, began experiencing unexplained abdominal pain during training. Pediatricians dismissed it as anxiety. Dr. Etik discovered a congenital duodenal web through specialized pediatric endoscopy—a condition typically missed in children. Her gentle approach with pediatric-sized equipment and post-procedure magic tricks made my daughter feel safe. The minimally invasive correction allowed her to return to the balance beam within weeks.

During my third trimester of pregnancy, I developed acute pancreatitis—a terrifying scenario for any expectant mother. Dr. Etik coordinated with my obstetrician in real-time, performing a cautious ERCP with radiation shielding and fetal monitoring. She managed my care without compromising my baby's safety. I delivered a healthy girl two months later, and both of us owe our wellbeing to her meticulous risk assessment and collaborative care.

As a 45-year-old long-haul truck driver with erratic eating schedules, I ignored persistent heartburn for years until I coughed up blood at a rest stop. Dr. Etik diagnosed Barrett's esophagus with early dysplastic changes. Her ablation therapy used a novel cryotherapy technique she helped pioneer. She even designed a personalized meal-timing schedule compatible with my delivery routes. My follow-up biopsies show complete reversal—she literally saved me from esophageal cancer.