M.D. Ümit Şen

We brought our 3-year-old daughter Elif to Dr. Ümit Şen after weeks of unexplained high fevers that came and went like clockwork every evening. Other doctors had dismissed it as 'just a virus,' but Dr. Şen listened with such intense focus, his eyes never leaving my face as I described the pattern. He ordered very specific tests others hadn't considered. It turned out to be a rare periodic fever syndrome. His calm explanation to us—and to Elif, whom he spoke to directly at her level—turned our panic into a manageable plan. At Acıbadem Atasehir, he coordinated with rheumatology, creating a seamless team. A year later, with medication, Elif is fever-free and thriving. He didn't just treat a symptom; he solved a mystery that was stealing our child's health.

Our 14-year-old son, Kerem, a competitive swimmer, developed severe, debilitating shoulder pain. What we thought was a simple sports injury became a complex orthopedic puzzle involving growth plate issues. Dr. Şen's approach was astonishingly holistic. He didn't just look at the MRI; he watched Kerem move, asked about his training schedule, and even discussed the psychological pressure of competition. He devised a conservative treatment plan involving targeted physical therapy and temporary activity modification, avoiding immediate surgery. His follow-ups were meticulous, adjusting the plan based on Kerem's feedback. He treated Kerem like a partner in his own care. Now, Kerem is back in the pool, stronger and more knowledgeable about his body, thanks to Dr. Şen's wisdom and refusal to take the easy surgical path.

As first-time parents from abroad, everything was terrifying when our newborn son, Leo, needed urgent care for a severe congenital heart defect diagnosed just days after birth at Acıbadem Atasehir. Dr. Ümit Şen was our anchor in the storm. He translated the overwhelming, technical cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery reports into clear, compassionate terms. He managed Leo's overall pediatric health while the surgical team focused on the heart, catching a subtle kidney issue pre-op that needed addressing. His rounds were the highlight of our day—he’d examine Leo with gentle hands, then sit with us, often sketching diagrams to explain the next steps. He cared for the whole family, asking how we were sleeping. Post-surgery, his vigilant follow-up care has been incredible. He saved our son in more ways than one.

My 78-year-old mother, who lives with us, was hospitalized for pneumonia. Her complex case, with diabetes and mild dementia, made her pediatric follow-up for my brother's young children (whom she helps care for) a nightmare—until we met Dr. Şen. He performed a routine check-up on my nephew but noticed my mother's persistent cough in the waiting room. In a stunning display of empathy that transcended typical specialization, he took five minutes to listen to her lungs, then personally escorted us to the best adult pulmonologist in the hospital, giving a concise handover. He later called to check on her. He sees people, not just patients on a chart. For our family, he became the human bridge between generations of care in a fragmented system. A truly extraordinary physician.