Prof. M.D. Necmi Aksaray

Our 11-day-old newborn, Elif, developed a severe, rapid-onset jaundice that terrified us as first-time parents. We rushed to Acibadem Altunizade in a panic. Dr. Necmi Aksaray met us with a profound calm that immediately settled the chaos. He didn't just order tests; he explained the intricate physiology of neonatal bilirubin metabolism in simple terms, drawing diagrams on a notepad. His decision for intensive phototherapy was swift but never felt rushed. He personally checked on Elif every two hours throughout the night, his presence a quiet reassurance in the dim blue light of the unit. He treated our tiny daughter not as a case, but as a new person, and guided us with immense patience. We left not only with a healthy baby but feeling educated and empowered.

My 72-year-old mother, who has complex cardiac issues, was hospitalized with pneumonia. Her pediatrician? Unusual, I know. But Dr. Aksaray has been her doctor since *she* was a child, and she refuses to see anyone else. He coordinated a remarkable 'geriatric-pediatric' consult, bridging her childhood medical history with her current geriatric needs. He sat at her bedside, reviewing her adult cardiologist's reports, and explained the interplay between her congenital heart history (which he knew intimately) and the acute infection. His holistic approach, considering her entire life's medical journey, was something no other specialist could offer. He treated her with the gentle respect one gives an elder, while still winking and calling her by her childhood nickname. It was medicine as profound personal history.

My 8-year-old son, Deniz, required an elective but complex adenotonsillectomy due to severe sleep apnea. Dr. Aksaray's pre-op consultation was unlike any other. Instead of a cold surgical briefing, he had Deniz 'help' diagnose a stuffed animal's 'big tonsils' using a toy otoscope, completely demystifying the process. On surgery day, his focus was razor-sharp, yet he paused to show me the endoscopic images, pointing out the precise anatomy. The true test came post-op: Deniz was in significant pain and refused to drink. Dr. Aksaray, off-duty, returned to the hospital at 9 PM. He didn't just prescribe; he sat with Deniz and negotiated a 'secret superhero drink' challenge, turning a medical crisis into a game. His follow-up was relentless until hydration was secured. This was pediatric surgery fused with deep behavioral psychology.

For three years, we navigated my daughter Lara's failure to thrive and mysterious gastrointestinal distress—a maze of inconclusive tests and specialist opinions. Dr. Aksaray approached it like a detective solving a cold case. He requested all her records, including her neonatal ones, and created a detailed timeline on his office wall. He hypothesized a rare post-viral motility disorder linked to a severe rotavirus infection she had at 18 months. His investigation led him to consult with a specialist in Germany via video conference during our appointment, with us in the room. He then designed a highly personalized, incremental nutritional and prokinetic regimen. It wasn't a miracle cure, but for the first time, we had a coherent theory and a plan. He gave us the framework to understand her 'uniqueness,' which was more valuable than any quick fix. This was diagnostic artistry.