Spec. MD. Nazmiye Asli Surgel

Our 72-year-old father was referred to Dr. Surgel with what everyone assumed was just age-related fatigue and jaundice. Multiple doctors had missed it, but she immediately suspected an atypical presentation of autoimmune hepatitis overlapping with a rare metabolic condition. She didn't just look at his liver numbers; she connected his lifelong mild tremors with his current symptoms. Her approach was like a detective's, methodical, calm, and deeply curious. At Medical Park Izmir, she coordinated with neurology and genetics, creating a treatment plan that addressed the root cause, not just the inflammation. She speaks with such clarity, even explaining complex liver pathways to my elderly dad in ways he understood. Six months later, his energy has returned, and she still calls to check on him personally. We've never met a specialist who treats the whole person across generations like this.

When our 8-year-old daughter, Elif, was airlifted to Medical Park Izmir in acute liver failure after a mysterious infection, the world stopped. Dr. Nazmiye Asli Surgel met us in the ICU at 2 AM. Her presence wasn't just medical; it was anchoring. She explained the gravity without stripping away hope, using a small liver model to show us what was happening. What followed was a week of high-stakes, minute-by-minute management, balancing coagulopathy, encephalopathy risks, and waiting for a donor. She never left the hospital, sleeping in her office. Her decision to try a novel bridging therapy instead of immediate risky surgery gave Elif's own liver time to regenerate just enough. She saved Elif's life not once, but three times that week. Now, at follow-ups, Elif draws pictures of 'Dr. Nazmiye the Liver Guardian' for her. This wasn't just pediatric hepatology; it was warrior-level advocacy and profound human kindness.

Our 4-month-old son, Kaan, had a 'routine' newborn checkup flag slightly elevated liver enzymes. Most said to watch and wait. Dr. Surgel requested a detailed ultrasound and specific sweat test, suspecting an early, pre-symptomatic sign of cystic fibrosis liver disease. She was right. Her philosophy is that in pediatric hepatology, 'routine' doesn't exist, every tiny deviation is a clue. Her clinic is filled with toys, and she examines babies while making them laugh, her hands warm and gentle. She designed a preventive care plan involving nutrition, specific vitamins, and monitoring to protect his liver long-term. She gave us a binder with color-coded sections and her personal number for questions. She doesn't just treat disease; she builds fortresses of health around her smallest patients. We feel like we have a scientific guardian angel.

I'm a 17-year-old living with biliary atresia since my Kasai procedure as an infant. Dr. Surgel has been my doctor for a decade. This isn't a typical patient review; it's a testimony to how she doctors through a life chapter. She transitioned my care from 'pediatric' to 'young adult' seamlessly, teaching me to understand my own labs and symptoms. Last year, when portal hypertension complications arose, she discussed complex surgery options with ME first, respecting my autonomy. She presented the pros and cons of a meso-Rex bypass vs. transplant with hand-drawn diagrams, treating me as a partner. She also noticed the anxiety it triggered and connected me with a therapist specializing in chronic illness. At Medical Park Izmir, she runs a teen support group I now help facilitate. She didn't just manage a liver condition; she guided me into adulthood with resilience and self-knowledge. That's a different kind of healing.