Cardiologists and Cardiovascular Surgeons at the clinic American Hospital Istanbul

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

• Dr. Haldun Karagöz attended the Medical Education School of Medicine at Ankara University from 1976 to 1982.
• He did Specialization from Cardiovascular Surgery Ankara Medical Hospital in 1990.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

• Dr. Haldun Karagöz served as an attending Physician at Ankara Güven Hospital from 1993 to 2012
• He started his job as an attending Physician at American Hospital in 2014 to date.

INTERESTING FACTS

In September 1998, Dr. Haldun Karagöz performed the world's first coronary bypass surgery on an awake patient without opening the chest.

PUBLICATIONS

Dr. Haldun Karagöz has many publications under his name in national and international research papers.

Educational Background

• Dr. Sinan Özbayrakcı graduated from Istanbul University in 1980, completed his specialization training in internal medicine from Istanbul University in 1982.
• He did his cardiology fellowship training from Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine in 1992.
• He went abroad for his internship and joined the Cardiology Institute. Dr. Özbayrakcı completed his NCEP Program in Houston.

Professional Career

• Upon completing the specialization, Dr. Sinan Özbayrakcı joined American Hospital Istanbul as a Cardiologist. He worked there for five years and went abroad for his training.
• He joined Houston Baylor College Methodist Hospital as an intern and worked in the Cardiology Department for a few months.
• Dr. Özbayrakcı worked as a health coordinator in Turkmenistan. After serving there for a year, he left his position.
• Dr. Sinan Özbayrakcı rejoined American Hospital and is currently working there as an interventional cardiologist.

Interesting Facts

• Dr. Sinan inaugurated the first-ever Lipid Clinic in Turkey in 1993 at American Hospital Istanbul.
• He is also the manager and founder of the Intensive Care Unit at Florence Nightingale Hospital.

Memberships

• Member of the European Society of Cardiology
• Member of the Turkish Atherosclerosis Society
• Member of the Turkish Society of Cardiology
• Member of the European Cardiovascular Association

Publications

• Dr. Sinan Özbayrakcı has published research work in famous European journals. His work on interventional cardiology has been acknowledged worldwide.
• He is among the jury members of many international conferences and has also conducted many conferences in Turkey.
• He has been a part of many cardiology seminars and also did live demonstrations for minimally invasive procedures.

Educational Background

• Dr. Genco Yucel graduated from Istanbul University in 1990.
• In 1997, he did a fellowship in Invasive Cardiology and Electrophysiology from New York University.
• In 1998, he completed a Cardiology fellowship from Marmara University School of Medicine.

Professional Career

• In 1993, Dr. Genco Yucel was an assistant at New York University Medical Center.
• In 1996, he served as Assistant Electrophysiology at New York University Medical Center.
• From 2000 till 2017, he was the Head of the Cardiology Department at American Hospital Istanbul.
• Since 2017, he is the director of the Angiography Laboratory at the same Hospital.

Memberships

• Dr. Genco Yucel is a member of several prestigious societies related to Cardiology.

Publication

• Dr. Genco Yucel has published various scientific articles in both national and international journals.

Educational Background

• Dr. Sami Gürkahraman graduated from Dicle University, Diyarbakır in 1992 and completed his specialization in cardiovascular surgery from Türkiye Medical Specialization Hospital in 2002.

Professional Career

• Prior to his residency, Dr. Sami worked as a general practitioner at Çayeli State Hospital in Rize from 1993 to 1997.
• His medical training began in 1997, and he worked as a resident in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Türkiye Medical Specialization Hospital until 2002.
• From 2003 to 2004, Dr. Gürkahraman worked at İzzettin Keykavus State Hospital in Sivas and SSK Hospital in Eskişehir as an attending physician.
• Later on, he joined the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic at Güven Hospital in Ankara from 2004 to 2005
• From 2005 to 2010, he served as a cardiology consultant at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Akay Hospital in Ankara.
• After serving there for five years, he worked in many prestigious institutes. From 2010 to 2011, he worked at Çankaya Hospital in Ankara, at Sincan Lokman Hekim Hospital from 2011 to 2013 and at Yıl Hospital from 2013 to 2015
• In 2015, Dr. Sami Gürkahraman joined American Hospital Istanbul and currently serving there as a senior vascular consultant.

Memberships

• Member of the Turkish Society of Cardiology
• Member of the European Association of Cardiology
• Member of the International Society of Cardiology
• Member of Associations of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions
• Member of the Turkish Association of Cardiac Surgery

Publications

• Dr. Sami has many publications in national and international journals on vascular surgery procedures.

Educational Background

• 1979 to 1985: Dr. Erdogan Aygar graduated from Hacettepe University.
• 1988 to 1991: He received training in Internal Medicine at Chicago University, USA.
• 1991 to 1995: He did specialization at Ochsner Clinical Foundation, USA in Cardiology.

Professional Career

• 1999 to 2000: Dr. Erdogan Aygar worked at Memorial Hospital as a Cardiac Physician.
• Since 2002: He has been working as a Cardiologist at American Hospital Istanbul.

Educational Background:

• 1989 - 1993: Dr. Ümit Bilge Samanli completed her specialization in Cardiology from the Institute of Cardiology at Istanbul University.
• 1984: She received her Pediatrics and Health Specialization Training from the Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine of Istanbul University.
• 1977: Dr. Umit received her Medical Degree from the Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine of Istanbul University.
• 1971: Dr. Ümit Bilge completed her High School Education at Robert College.

Professional Experience:

• Since 2021: Dr. Ümit Bilge Samanli has been working as a Pediatric Cardiologist at the American Hospital Istanbul.
• 2004 - 2021: She worked as a Part-time Physician of Cardiology at the Memorial Sisli Hospital
• 2004 - 2010: Dr. Ümit Bilge worked as a Part-time Physician at the Cardiology Department of the Acıbadem Etiler Medical Center
• 2002 - 2003: She gave her services as a Cardiology specialist at the American Hospital.
• 2002 - 2021: Dr. Ümit served as a visiting staff consultant in the practice and various hospitals.
• 1995:She worked as a Pediatric Cardiologist at the Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital in England.
• 1993 - 2001: She also worked as a Pediatric Cardiologist at the Institute of Cardiology of Istanbul University,
• 1992:She also went to the Lund University Pediatric Cardiology Unit as a visitor.
• 1989 -1993: She worked as a Senior Assistant at the Istanbul University Institute of Cardiology.
• 1987 - 1989:She worked at the German Hospital in Istanbul
• 1985 - 1987: Dr. Ümit worked at the Pediatric Clinic of the Bolu State Hospital as a compulsory service.

Memberships:

She is a member of the

• Pediatric Cardiology Association
• Fetal Cardiology Working Group of AEPC
• Association of European Pediatric Cardiologists
• Society of Cardiology
• Turkish Medical Association Istanbul Medical Chamber
• Robert College Alumni Association.

Educational Background

• Dr. Eray completed his graduation from Istanbul University, in 2006 and residency education from Kartal Koşuyolu High Speciality Medical Educational and Research Hospital, in 2013.

Professional Career

• Dr. Eray Aksoy worked for seven years, from 2006 to 2013, as a resident at Kartal Koşuyolu High Specialty Medical Educational and Research Hospital.
• From 2013 to 2015, he served as a cardiology consultant at Hitit University.
• In 2015, Dr. Eray Aksoy joined American Hospital Istanbul and serving there as a vascular surgeon to date.

Memberships

• Member of the Turkish Association of Cardiac Surgery
• Member of the Turkish Society of Cardiology
• Member of the European Association of Cardiology

Publications

• Dr. Eray has many publications in national and international journals. He has written the dissertation titled "Conduction System Disorders after Aortic Valve Replacement".

Educational Background

• 1980-1986: Dr. Semih Barlas got his MD degree from the Faculty of Medicine at Istanbul University Cerrahpasa School of Medicine.
• 2007: He then studied Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation at Operationszentrum Eppendorf in Hamburg, Germany.
• 2007: He has also studied Endovenous Laser Ablation at Clinique des Fleurs, Aix En Provence, in France.
• 2007: He then did a Sclerotherapy Course from Hospital St. Joseph in Marseille, France.
• 2008: Then Dr. Barlas studied the diagnosis and treatment of venous insufficiency at Morrison Vein Institute in the USA.
• 2013-2015: He has also done venous insufficiency modern treatment courses from Langone Medical Center in New York City, USA.

Professional Experience

• 1986-1987: Dr. Semih Barlas completed his Cardiovascular Surgery residency at Istanbul University Cerrahpasa School of Medicine.
• 1987-1988: He did General and Thoracic Surgery rotations at Yedikule Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery Hospital.
• 1988-1991: He completed his Cardiovascular Surgery residency at Istanbul University.
• 1990-1992: Then Dr. Semih Barlas went to the United Kingdom, where he completed his fellowship in Pediatric and Adult Cardiac Surgery at Freeman Hospital.
• 1995-2002: He then served as an adjunct Professor of Cardiology at the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Department at Istanbul University.
• 2002-2011: He then served as a Cardiology Professor at the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Department at Istanbul University.
• 2002-2007: Dr. Barlas has worked as the Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery Department Chief at a German Hospital.
• 2006-2011: He has also worked as the Director of the Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery Division of Istanbul University.
• 2008-2010: Then he worked as a Professor at Surp Agop Foundation Hospital.
• 2008 onwards: Dr. Barlas has been working as a Professor and Part-time Physician at MedAmerican Medical Center.
• 2010 onwards: Has also served as a Professor at the Department of Vascular Surgery at American Hospital.
• 2013 onwards: He has been working as a Cardiovascular Surgery Professor at KOC University.
• 2014-2019: Dr. Barlas has served as the Director of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery for 5 years at KOC University.

Memberships

Dr. Semih Barlas is an active member of the following medical societies:

• European Cardiothoracic Surgery Society.
• International Committee of Angiology.
• Thoracic Surgery Association.
• Organ Transplantation Organization.
• Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Federation.

Educational Background

• 1988 to 1995: Dr. Mujde Gul Turkeri studied at Osmangazi University as a Medical Student
• 2000 to 2002: She did a Residency from Gazi University in Public Health
• 2004 to 2008: She received Resident Education in Cardiology from Rome La Sapienza University

Professional Career

• 1995 to 1997: Dr. Mujde Gul Turkeri worked as a Physician at Mardin
• 1997 to 2002: She joined the Ministry of Health as a Physician
• 2008 to 2012: She worked as a Cardiologist at Rome La Sapienza University
• 2013 to 2014: She worked at Olympiad Federation as a Specialist in Cardiology
• 2016 10 2017: Dr. Turkeri joined the Rehabilitation Department of San Raffaele Hospital as a Cardiologist.
• Since 2014: She has been working at American Hospital as a Senior Cardiac Specialist.

Memberships

Dr. Mujde Gul Turkeri received membership from the following Organizations:

• European Society of Cardiology
• Turkish Medical Association
• Italian Society of Cardiology
• Lazio Association of Outpatient Cardiologists
• Istanbul Chamber of Medicine
• Rome Chamber of Medicine
• Italian Association of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging
• Turkish Society of Cardiology
• Italian Medical Association
• Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists

Educational Background

• Dr. Tolga Özyiğit graduated from Ege University, Bornova, in 1999 and did his specialization in cardiovascular surgery.
• For his fellowship training, he went to Harvard Medical School, Boston and did his rotation in the cardiovascular surgery unit.
• In 2018, Dr. Tolga completed his PhD in clinical Pharmacology from Istanbul University.

Professional Career

• Dr. Tolga Özyiğit started his professional career by working as a general surgeon at Ege University Hospital.
• He served as a cardiology research specialist at Istanbul University Hospital. After serving there for two years, he left the institute.
• Later on, Dr. Tolga went Abroad, where he joined a prestigious institute Harvard Medical School and worked on complex cardiovascular surgery cases.
• On his return, Dr. Tolga Özyiğit joined American Hospital Istanbul and is currently serving there as a cardiovascular surgeon.

Memberships

Dr. Tolga Özyiğit is a member of the following organizations

• Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Association
• Minimal Invasive and Robotic Cardiovascular Surgery Association
• Turkish Medical Society
• European Cardiovascular Surgery Associations

Publications

• Dr. Tolga Özyiğit has published many research articles on valve replacement procedures and coronary artery stenting. He has arranged many international conferences and seminars in Turkey.

Educational Background

• 1974-1981: Dr. Alpay Celiker got his MD degree from the Faculty of Medicine at Hacettepe University.
• 1981-1985: He then did a Specialization Course in Pediatric Cardiology from the Faculty of Medicine at Hacettepe University.

Professional Experiences

• 1985-1987: Dr. Alpay Celiker began his career as a Pediatrician at Taskopru State Hospital.
• 1988-1990: He completed his fellowship from the Pediatric Cardiology Division of Hacettepe University.
• 1990-1991: He worked as a Pediatric Cardiologist and Pediatrician at the Department of Pediatrics of Gulhane Military Medical Academy.
• 1991-2009: After that, Dr. Alpay Celiker served as a Pediatrician and Pediatric Cardiologist at Hacettepe University.
• 2009-2014: He has also worked as a Pediatric Cardiologist at Acibadem University.
• 2014 onwards: Dr. Alpay has been fulfilling his responsibilities as a Pediatric Cardiologist at American Hospital Istanbul for about nine years.

Memberships

Dr. Alpay Celiker is a respected member of the following scientific societies:

• Turkish Association of Cardiology.
• European Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Disease Society.
• Pediatric Cardiology Council of Turkey.
• Turkish National Federation of Cardiology.
• Congenital Electrophysiologic and Pediatric Association of Turkey.
• Adult Congenital Heart Disease Society.

Educational Background

• Dr. Alpay Sezer graduated from Istanbul University in 1992 and did his specialization in cardiovascular surgery from the same institute in 1998.

Professional Career

• Dr. Alpay Sezer started his professional career by working as a cardiologist at Istanbul University Hospital. He served there for a year and joined another institute for research purposes.
• He also served as a consultant in the cardiology department at University Hospital Ankara. After serving there and gaining experience for a few years, he left the institute.
• Later on, he joined American Hospital Istanbul and serves as a cardiovascular specialist.

Memberships

Dr. Alpay Sezer is associated with the following organizations

• Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Association,
• Turkish Medical Society
• European Surgical Association
• European Cardiovascular Surgery Associations

Publications

• Dr. Alpay Sezer has many publications under his name in national and international journals. He received appreciation worldwide for his work on balloon stenting procedures.
• He has been a part of many international conferences and also arranged webinars in Turkey.

Educational Background

• Dr. Ahmet Oktay graduated from Hacettepe University, Ankara and did his post graduation in cardiology from the University of Chicago.
• For his fellowship training, he went to Ochsner Clinic Foundation, US and did research on congenital heart diseases.

Professional Career

• Dr. Ahmet Oktay started his professional career in 1981 as an attending physician at Kasımpaşa Naval Hospital. He served at the clinic in the general surgery unit and left the institute in 1982.
• Later on, he joined Hacettepe University Hospital and served there till 1986 as a physician. He worked on general cases.
• After that, Dr. Ahmet joined the Marmara University Department of Cardiology and worked as a cardiologist for more than five years.
• He went abroad for his research and fellowship training and joined a well-recognized cardiology institute.
• On his return, Dr. Oktay rejoined Marmara University Hospital and was promoted to Head of the Cardiology Department. After serving there for six years, he left the hospital.

Memberships

• Member of the Turkish Society of Cardiology
• Member of the European Society of Cardiology
• Member of the Turkish Medical Society
• Member of the Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Association

Publications

• Dr. Ahmet Oktay is the author of more than 80 research articles related to cardiovascular surgery that were published in scientific journals.
• He is actively involved as a guest speaker in scientific meetings and CDEs to talk about congenital heart defects.

Educational Background

• Dr. Alp Aslan Eryılmaz completed his graduation from Akdeniz University, Antalya, in 1997 and did his post-graduation from Istanbul University, Istanbul, in 2002.
• For his research training, he joined Istanbul University and completed his training in cardiovascular surgery procedures. Dr. Alp did his one-year training at a well-known institute abroad.

Professional Career

• After completing his research training, Dr. Alp Aslan joined Istanbul University Hospital as a cardiologist. He also provided training to young specialists.
• He worked at GATA Haydarpaşa Hospital, Istanbul as a visiting consultant
• Later he joined a military institute in Turkey, where he served as a cardiovascular surgeon for two years.
• Currently, Dr. Alp Aslan Eryilmaz joined American Hospital Istanbul and serving there as a senior cardiac surgeon.

Interesting Facts

• Dr. Alp Aslan Eryilmaz was one of the team members to perform the ‘mitraclip’ operation carried out for the first time in Turkey.
• He is a member of the interventional cardiology team at the Cardiac Catheterization and Angiography Laboratory of the American Hospital.

Memberships

Dr. Alp Aslan Eryılmaz is a member of the following organizations

• Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Association,
• Minimal Invasive and Robotic Cardiovascular Surgery Association
• Turkish Medical Society
• European Cardiovascular Surgery Associations

Publications

• Dr. Alp Aslan Eryilmaz has presented papers at several international and national conferences and published several scientific papers, which have gotten much interest from readers.
• He arranged several seminars in Turkey and invited leading cardiologists.

educational background

• 1975-1981: Dr. Saide Aytekin received her Medical Degree from Istanbul University.
• 1982-1987: She then did Specialization in Internal Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine at Istanbul University.
• 1987-1991: Dr. Saide also completed her Specialization in Cardiology from the Institute of Cardiology at Istanbul University.

Professional Experiences

• 1981-1983: Dr. Saide Aytekin served as a general practitioner at the Department of Cardiology of Istanbul University.
• 1983-1987: She then served as a Research Assistant at the Institute of Cardiology of Istanbul University.
• 1987-1991: She also worked as a Cardiology research assistant at Istanbul University.
• 1991-1994: Dr. Saide Aytekin served as Cardiology chief assistant at Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Unit.
• 1992: She then went to London and served at the Echocardiography Laboratory of London University Middlesex Hospital.
• 1994-2013: She returned to Turkey and worked as an Echo-laboratory Assistant at Sisli Florence Nightingale Hospital.
• 2000-2002: Dr. Aytekin then served as the Associate Doctor at the Department of Cardiology of Florence Nightingale Hospital.
• 2002-2004: She has also fulfilled her responsibilities as the Cardiology lecturer at Florence Nightingale Hospital.
• 2006-2009: She has also served as a Cardiology lecturer at the Cardiology Department of Istanbul Bilim University.
• 2009-2017: She was a Cardiology lecturer at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital.
• Since 2017: Saide Aytekin has been working as a Cardiology Specialist at American Hospital Istanbul.

Memberships

Dr. Saide Aytekin is a member of the following medical societies

• Turkish Cardiology Federation.
• Turkish Medical Council - Istanbul Board.
• International Association of Atherosclerosis.
• Cardiology Federation of Europe.

Education Background:

• 1987 - 1991: Dr. Vedat Aytekin completed his Residency in Cardiology at the Cardiology Institute of Istanbul University.
• 1980 - 1984: He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine at Istanbul University.
• 1974 - 1980: Dr. Vedat completed his Medical Education at the School of Medicine at Istanbul University.

Professional Career:

• Since 2017: Vedat Aytekin is serving as a Professor and the Head of the Cardiology Department at Koç University Hospital.
• 1999 - 2017: He worked as a Professor at the Florence Nightingale Hospital in Şişli, Istanbul
• 2006 - 2009: He worked as a Professor and the Head of the Cardiology Department at Bilim University, Istanbul.
• 1999-2006: Dr. Vedat worked as a Professor and Head of the Cardiology Department at Kadir Has University.
• 1994 - 1999: Dr. Vedat Aytekin worked as an Associate Professor at the Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital.
• 1992 - 1994: He became the Associate Professor at the Cardiology Institute of Istanbul University.
• 1991 - 1992: He worked as an Attending Physician at the Cardiology Institute of Istanbul University
• 1987 - 1991: Dr. Vedat visited Istanbul University as a Cardiology Research Fellow.
• 1986 - 1987: He worked as an Attending Physician at the Turkish Land Forces Support Command.
• 1984 - 1986: Dr. Vedat Aytekin worked as an Attending Physician at the Zeynep Kamil Hospital as a compulsory service.
• 1980 - 1984: He worked as an Internal Medicine Resident at the Department of Internal Medicine of Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine at Istanbul University.

Interesting Facts:

Dr. Vedat Aytekin has performed more than

• 100,000 diagnostic angiographies.
• 25,000 balloon dilatation and stent implantation.

Memberships:

Dr. Vedat Aytekin has been a prestigious member of the following medical societies:

• European Society of Cardiology (FESC)
• European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI).
• 2009-2018: European Society of Cardiology (FESC) and European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI).
• 2009-2018: President of “The Scientific Committee and National Cardiology Congress” and “Coordination Office of Young Cardiologist Sub-Group.”

Educational background

• 1969-1975: Dr. Sule Korkmaz went to Ankara University for her MD degree.
• 1976-1980: She then did a specialization course in internal medicine from Ankara Numune Hospital.
• 1987: Then she completed her specialization in Cardiology at St. Bartholemew's Hospital.
• 2002: Dr. Sule has also specialized in Intravascular Ultrasound at the Clever Clinic.

Professional Experiences

• 1980-1984: Dr. Sule Korkmaz completed her fellowship at Turkish Medical Specialization Hospital.
• 1980-2010: She then served as an adjunct lecturer and an attending physician at Turkish Medical Specialization Hospital.
• 2010-2013: After that, Dr. Sule Korkmaz served as a Professor of Cardiology at the Faculty of Medicine of Ufuk University.
• 1992-2015: She has also been a professor at Ankara Guven Hospital.
• 2015 onwards: Dr. Sule has been fulfilling her responsibilities as a Professor and attending physician at the Ambulatory Care Center of American Hospital.

Memberships

Dr. Sule Korkmaz is associated with

• Republic of Turkey - Health Ministry.
• Supreme Council of Health.

Publications

Dr. Sule Korkmaz has penned one hundred forty-two articles for international journals and one hundred-six papers for local journals.

She has also presented Forty-three papers at international congresses and 106 documents at local congresses.

On a global scale, she ranks 116th out of 155 Turkish Science Women with an h-index greater than 15.