Assist. Prof. M.D. Tarkan İkizoğlu

My 92-year-old mother, who has complex geriatric issues, was hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Dr. İkizoğlu, though a pediatrician, was consulted due to his renowned diagnostic skills. He noticed subtle signs others missed—a slight tremor and confusion pattern that didn't match typical infection delirium. He suspected a medication interaction exacerbating a pre-existing neurological condition. His gentle, unhurried questioning of my mother (treating her with the patience one would a child) revealed she'd been doubling her Parkinson's medication. He coordinated with her neurologist, adjusted her treatment, and her recovery was remarkable. At Acibadem Maslak, he demonstrated that true care transcends age labels.

Our 8-day-old newborn, Elif, stopped feeding and became lethargic. The emergency room was chaotic, but Dr. Tarkan entered like calm itself. He diagnosed a congenital heart defect—coarctation of the aorta—within minutes using just his stethoscope and clinical intuition, before any scans confirmed it. His voice remained steady as he explained the urgent need for surgery. He held my hand, looked me directly in the eyes, and said, 'We will fight for her together.' He didn't leave the hospital for 36 hours, overseeing her stabilization. The complex surgery was a success. He now checks on her monthly, remembering her favorite stuffed rabbit ('Tavşan'). He saved a life and taught us how to be brave parents.

For our 6-year-old son's routine checkup, Dr. İkizoğlu did something extraordinary. Instead of just measuring height and weight, he spent 40 minutes 'interviewing' him about his friends, school fears, and dreams. He discovered our son was being subtly bullied, causing stomach aches we misdiagnosed as dietary. He gave us strategies to build resilience, not just medication. He then examined his vaccination records and created a personalized, spaced-out schedule for upcoming shots to reduce anxiety. His clinic at Acibadem Maslak feels like a wise friend's living room. This wasn't a checkup; it was a masterclass in preventative, holistic child psychology disguised as medicine.

My teenage daughter, a nationally ranked swimmer, developed persistent shoulder pain. Multiple specialists dismissed it as 'growing pains.' Dr. İkizoğlu, during a follow-up for a previous illness, asked about her training. He suspected a rare overuse injury—osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral head. The MRI proved him right. He didn't just refer her to orthopedics; he became the project manager of her recovery. He negotiated with her coach about training modifications, helped her mentally cope with the break from competition, and even suggested alternative core workouts. His approach treated the athlete, not just the joint. She's back in the pool, stronger. He's the only doctor she trusts without reservation.