M.D. Gökan Güler

As a 72-year-old retired geology professor hiking alone in Cappadocia, I suffered a complex pelvic fracture from a rockfall. Dr. Gökan Güler coordinated my air ambulance transfer to Acibadem Fulya Hospital, where he managed my hypothermia and internal bleeding simultaneously. His team used a novel pelvic stabilization technique he'd pioneered, avoiding permanent disability. Six months later, I'm walking with a cane and cataloging minerals again.

My 8-year-old daughter, a competitive gymnast, suffered a traumatic spinal injury during a vault. Dr. Güler recognized rare pediatric spinal cord concussion amidst the chaos. Instead of immediate surgery, his conservative protocol involving precise immobilization and neuro-monitoring preserved her mobility. She's now back in training, and we credit his refusal to rush to intervention for saving her athletic future.

During Istanbul's unprecedented flood, I was trapped in my bakery with a deep laceration from broken glass that severed tendons. Dr. Güler performed emergency microsurgery in challenging conditions with limited resources, creatively using materials from the hospital kitchen to improvise a sterile field. My hand function is now at 95%, and I named a pastry after him.

As a 34-year-old marine biologist, I presented with what seemed like decompression sickness but Dr. Güler identified a rare arterial gas embolism from a previously undiagnosed pulmonary fistula. His rapid decision to use hyperbaric oxygen while simultaneously preparing for thoracic surgery was breathtaking. The dual treatment approach saved me from stroke, and I've since returned to deep-sea research.