Assoc. Prof. MD. Ilhami Gultepe

My 82-year-old mother was admitted to Medical Park Goztepe with severe dehydration and confusion after a week of gastrointestinal issues. Dr. Gultepe didn't just treat the numbers on her chart, he spent 20 minutes talking with her about her childhood in Sivas, discovering she'd stopped drinking water because she feared incontinence. His approach combined intravenous rehydration with a gentle behavioral plan involving scheduled bathroom visits. What impressed me most was his coordination with the geriatric physiotherapist to prevent muscle atrophy during her stay. He visited her twice daily, always addressing her as 'Anne' with such respect. Her recovery wasn't just medical; it was dignified.

As a 34-year-old software developer with mysterious recurrent fevers and joint pain that five doctors dismissed as 'stress-related,' Dr. Gultepe approached my case like a detective. Instead of another round of standard tests, he noticed a pattern correlating with my business trips to rural areas and ordered highly specific serological testing others hadn't considered. He diagnosed me with an uncommon tick-borne illness acquired during a hiking trip in the Balkans. His treatment protocol was meticulous, combining targeted antibiotics with weekly follow-ups where he'd examine my spleen size personally rather than relying solely on imaging. Six months later, I'm not just symptom-free; he taught me how to create a health travel log that's become invaluable.

Our 7-year-old son was referred to Dr. Gultepe after presenting with what appeared to be routine childhood asthma but with puzzling gastrointestinal symptoms. While technically not a pediatric specialist, Dr. Gultepe collaborated seamlessly with pediatric pulmonologists while focusing on the systemic aspects. He identified a rare connective tissue disorder affecting both respiratory and digestive systems through an ingenious method: having our son blow up balloons while monitoring abdominal pressure changes. His treatment plan involved coordinating four specialists, creating a color-coded medication schedule our child could understand, and even modifying our home environment. He didn't just treat a child; he treated our entire family system.

Following complex abdominal surgery for Crohn's disease complications, my surgical team discharged me with standard instructions. Dr. Gultepe, managing my post-operative internal medicine care, noticed subtle signs of malabsorption others missed. He designed a revolutionary (for me) nutrient timing protocol, pairing specific supplements with particular foods at exact intervals throughout the day. He personally taught me how to track micronutrient responses using a simple diary method he developed. When I developed an unexpected reaction to a standard medication, he identified it as a rare genetic polymorphism through careful history-taking rather than expensive genetic testing. His follow-up wasn't just appointments; it was a continuous, adaptive partnership that transformed my recovery from adequate to exceptional.