Assoc. Prof. M.D. Pelin Doğan

As a 72-year-old grandmother caring for my 4-year-old grandson while his parents work abroad, I brought him to Dr. Pelin Doğan for what I thought was just a persistent cough. Not only did she diagnose a rare case of tracheomalacia that three other doctors had missed, but she spent 45 minutes explaining the condition to me in simple Turkish, drew diagrams on her notepad, and even taught me special breathing exercises to help him during episodes. Her patience with an elderly caregiver and her ability to connect with my terrified grandson—she let him listen to his own heartbeat first—was nothing short of miraculous. At Acibadem Atasehir, they treat you like family, but Dr. Doğan makes you feel like her only patient.

Our 11-day-old newborn, Alara, developed a terrifying high fever and lethargy. The midnight rush to Acibadem Atasehir's ER led us to Dr. Doğan, who was on call. What followed was a masterclass in emergency pediatric care. She moved with urgent calm, coordinating immediate lumbar puncture and blood cultures while simultaneously soothing our panic. She diagnosed bacterial meningitis within the hour. Her decisive action and the way she held our hands, looking us straight in the eyes saying, 'We will fight this together,' gave us strength during the 14-day hospital stay. She visited Alara twice daily, even on her days off. Our daughter is now a thriving 6-month-old, and we owe her life to this doctor's razor-sharp instincts and profound humanity.

For my 8-year-old son Kerem's routine checkup, Dr. Doğan noticed a subtle asymmetry in his shoulder blades I'd never seen. She pursued it gently, asking about his stamina in sports. This led to an echocardiogram revealing a previously undetected, moderate aortic coarctation—a heart defect requiring surgery. Her approach was a delicate balance: thoroughly professional with us parents, yet she explained the surgery to Kerem by comparing his heart to a superhero's engine that needed a special upgrade. She coordinated with the pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, presented a unified plan, and was there at every pre-op and post-op visit. The surgery was complex, but her seamless management and emotional support transformed a terrifying diagnosis into a manageable journey. She doesn't just treat illnesses; she architects wellness.

My 15-year-old daughter, suffering from debilitating chronic fatigue and joint pain, had become a ghost of herself after years of inconclusive tests. Dr. Doğan, during a follow-up for a separate issue, picked up on the despair in my voice. She took over the case, methodically ruling out possibilities not with just tests, but with conversations. She spent an hour talking to my daughter about school, friendships, and dreams. This holistic review, combined with targeted immunology panels, led to a diagnosis of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder. The treatment plan was multifaceted—medical, nutritional, and psychological. Dr. Doğan's style is unique: part detective, part compassionate aunt. She gave us our daughter back. Her clinic at Acibadem isn't just a room; it's a sanctuary where complex puzzles are solved with immense heart.