M.D. Oya Duran

Our 92-year-old grandmother, who has been caring for her orphaned great-grandson since his parents' accident, was terrified when little Ali developed a mysterious high fever that wouldn't break. Most pediatricians dismissed us, saying they only treat children. Dr. Oya Duran not only accepted our unusual case but spent three hours reviewing Ali's medical history and our grandmother's observations. She discovered a rare pediatric infection that mimics senior illnesses. Her cross-generational approach saved Ali and gave our family peace. At Acibadem Kozyatagi, she created a treatment plan involving both their pediatric and geriatric departments—something we've never seen before.

During our routine checkup for our 8-month-old's ear infection, Dr. Duran noticed subtle asymmetrical movements in his left hand that 4 other doctors had missed over months. She immediately ordered specialized neurological imaging instead of just prescribing antibiotics. This led to the early diagnosis of a benign but complex neural pathway irregularity that could have affected motor development. Her follow-up protocol involves monthly play-based assessments where she observes him with specific toys in her office, documenting progress in a colorful journal he now calls his 'superhero training book.' The way she turns medical monitoring into child's play is extraordinary.

We rushed to Acibadem's ER at midnight when our 6-year-old daughter swallowed a rare-earth magnet from her brother's science kit. The on-call surgeon recommended immediate invasive procedures. Dr. Duran, who happened to be reviewing charts, intervened after remembering a recent pediatric gastroenterology conference. She proposed a novel non-surgical approach using sequential guided imaging and specially timed fluid management to safely pass the magnet. She stayed with us for 14 hours straight, singing Turkish lullabies to calm our daughter while monitoring each millimeter of progress. The magnet passed naturally at 6 AM—her innovative thinking prevented major surgery.

As parents of a transgender teenager beginning medical transition, we faced rejection from multiple pediatricians. Dr. Duran created a unique multidisciplinary care model at Acibadem Kozyatagi, coordinating with endocrinology, mental health, and our child's school. During our first visit, she had already researched age-appropriate Turkish resources and modified growth charts for our child's specific needs. Her follow-up visits include 'coffee chats' where she speaks directly with our teen about bodily autonomy using anatomical models they can manipulate themselves. She documented everything in both medical charts and a separate empowerment journal that tracks our child's emotional milestones alongside physical ones.