Assoc. Prof. M.D. Gökhan Ergene

I was the 72-year-old grandmother everyone worried about when I developed a persistent, rattling cough after what seemed like a mild cold. At Acibadem Maslak, Dr. Ergene didn't just listen to my lungs; he listened to my fears about being a burden. He explained the shadow on my scan not with scary medical jargon, but by drawing a simple diagram of my bronchial tubes, showing a minor mucus plug. His treatment plan was gentle yet effective—a tailored inhalation therapy and breathing exercises he demonstrated himself. Two weeks later, at my follow-up, my lungs were clear. He remembered my grandson's name and asked about him. This wasn't just pulmonary care; it was compassionate, holistic healing that treated the person, not just the symptom.

Our 8-year-old son, Deniz, has severe asthma. A midnight attack had us rushing to the emergency department in sheer panic. Dr. Ergene, who was on call, met us with a calm that immediately lowered the room's tension. He spoke directly to Deniz, calling him 'little captain,' and explained each step of the emergency nebulizer treatment as if it were a spaceship procedure. He diagnosed a previously missed trigger related to a new classroom pet. His follow-up plan included a colorful, kid-friendly asthma action plan with stickers. He even coordinated with Deniz's school nurse. From emergency terror to empowered management, Dr. Ergene navigated the crisis with expertise and a profound understanding of pediatric fear.

As a 45-year-old former smoker, I went for a routine check-up, expecting a quick listen and a clean bill. Dr. Ergene's thoroughness was startling. He reviewed my old files, asked detailed questions about my past 20-pack-year habit I'd long forgotten, and insisted on a low-dose CT scan 'just for a perfect baseline,' he said. The scan revealed a tiny, indeterminate 6mm nodule. Instead of alarm, he presented a clear, image-based 'watchful waiting' protocol. For six months, he personally reviewed each scan, noting the nodule's stability. At the final check, he declared it benign with a firm handshake. He turned a routine visit into a potentially life-saving intervention through meticulous, proactive vigilance I've never experienced before.

My case was complex: a rare bronchiectasis exacerbation with a secondary fungal infection, complicated by my Type 1 diabetes. Multiple doctors had been hesitant. Dr. Ergene approached it like a master puzzle-solver. He convened a virtual consultation with an infectious disease specialist from another Acibadem branch while I was in the room, explaining my case in real-time. His surgical plan for bronchial lavage was precise, and he video-called my husband post-op to explain what he'd found. His follow-up regimen was a meticulously timed symphony of antifungals, physiotherapy, and glucose monitoring. He treated the interconnectedness of my conditions as the central challenge, not an inconvenience. I felt like the captain of a specialist team he had assembled just for me.