Prof. M.D. Hakan Yildiz

My 82-year-old father, Ahmet, was admitted to Acibadem Atakent Hospital with severe jaundice and weight loss. Other clinics had given us vague answers, but Dr. Hakan Yildiz approached his case like a detective. He suspected a rare bile duct stricture that wasn't showing clearly on standard scans. He personally performed a complex ERCP procedure with cholangioscopy—using a tiny camera inside the bile duct. He found and treated the stricture without major surgery. His gentle manner with my anxious father, explaining each step in simple Turkish, was as remarkable as his skill. Six months later, my father tends his garden again. We call Dr. Yildiz 'the finder.'

Our 7-year-old daughter, Elif, had chronic, severe abdominal pain that kept her from school. Pediatricians were stumped. Dr. Yildiz didn't dismiss us as overanxious parents. He spent an hour just talking to Elif about her 'tummy monster,' gaining her trust. He ordered a specific, non-invasive capsule endoscopy, suspecting a subtle Crohn's disease presentation. He was right. His treatment plan involved a pediatric gastroenterologist colleague, but he remained our lead, explaining everything with drawings for Elif. He gave her a 'bravery certificate' after her procedures. She now calls him 'the tummy whisperer.' Her pain is managed, and she's back in dance class.

I arrived at the ER at 3 AM with unbearable upper abdominal pain and vomiting blood. It was terrifying. Dr. Yildiz was on call. He moved with calm urgency. He diagnosed a bleeding duodenal ulcer from NSAIDs I took for my back. In the endoscopy suite, he performed an emergency procedure to stop the bleed with clips and injection. What I remember most, besides his technical precision, was his voice throughout the sedation: 'You're safe, we have it, breathe.' He followed up twice daily, even on his day off, to check my progress. He turned a medical emergency into an experience of profound security. My gratitude is endless.

As a 45-year-old with a family history of colon cancer, I went for a routine screening colonoscopy with Dr. Yildiz. I expected a quick, impersonal procedure. It was anything but. He discussed my family history in depth beforehand. During the procedure, he found and removed three precancerous polyps, one in a difficult position. Afterward, he showed me the photos, explaining exactly what he found and why removal was crucial. He didn't just perform a test; he provided a complete risk assessment and a personalized surveillance plan. He made a routine checkup feel like the most important health intervention I've ever had. Proactive, thorough, and genuinely caring.