Who am I?

I was born in 1972 in Mersin.
I completed my primary education in Namık Kemal Primary School, in a historical building. Later this building became history. I finished high school in 1990 at Tarsus American College, which I think has contributed a lot to me in every area.

Ever since I was a kid, I always thought of studying medicine. I chose Istanbul University, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, English Department, which was founded by my teacher Prof. Dr. Uğur Derman who planned to provide special education only for forty students. I completed my education, which I did with great pleasure, in 1996 and got my Medical Doctor diploma.

I was very impressed by Paediatric Surgery Internship as, attendance to our classes were never interrupted and we got close attention during bedside visits. In my spare time, I was always visiting paediatric surgery department. I loved children very much, and I could easily communicate with kids of all ages. As a matter of course, I targeted “Paediatric Surgery” and started my residency training in Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Paediatric Surgery after passing the Medical Specialisation Exam.

Ben Kimim?

I was born in 1972 in Mersin.
I completed my primary education in Namık Kemal Primary School, in a historical building. Later this building became history. I finished high school in 1990 at Tarsus American College, which I think has contributed a lot to me in every area.

Ever since I was a kid, I always thought of studying medicine. I chose Istanbul University, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, English Department, which was founded by my teacher Prof. Dr. Uğur Derman who planned to provide special education only for forty students. I completed my education, which I did with great pleasure, in 1996 and got my Medical Doctor diploma.

I was very impressed by Paediatric Surgery Internship as, attendance to our classes were never interrupted and we got close attention during bedside visits. In my spare time, I was always visiting paediatric surgery department. I loved children very much, and I could easily communicate with kids of all ages. As a matter of course, I targeted “Paediatric Surgery” and started my residency training in Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Paediatric Surgery after passing the Medical Specialisation Exam.

In the meantime, I passed the USMLE exams (Step 1 and 2), which are required to be a Specialist in America, with very good scores, but I did not have enough time and need to go during the very very intense residency training, which included duties on every other night. I was so caught up in the Paediatric Surgery that I couldn’t quit.
During my general surgery rotation in 1999, I have been at Mott’s Children Hospital, University of Michigan, Department of Paediatric Surgery as an observer for 2 months. I have came to the conclusion that completing my residency training in Turkey was the right choice.

In 2000, I married my friend and colleague Dr. Başak Torum.

I completed my residency training in I.Ü. Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Dept. Of Pediatric Surgery in 2002. In the same year, our daughter Sırma was born.

I started to work full-time at the American Hospital, Department of Pediatric Surgery in 2002.
So American Hospital has become one of the the first private hospitals that provided full-time Paediatric Surgery service.
In 2004, I became the Head of Pediatric Surgery Department and I still carry out this duty.

After the residency training, I never neglected to do scientific researches on the subjects that I was interested, and never stopped to participate in congresses and meetings.
I have been an observer at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in 2004, Ireland and at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, USA in 2005.
In Manheim, Germany in 2004, after passing the European Pediatric Surgery Board exam I received the EUPS certificate and immediately after that I got the certificate of competency at paediatrc surgery by Turkish Association of Pediatric Surgeons.
In 2006, our son Kuzey Ata was born.

In 2011, I published my book, “Male Circumcision: Story in Human History”, which is very important for me. The same year our daughter Zavi, a four-legged new member, joined our family

In 2012, I got the title of Associate Professor.

Among the many reasons, the first thing that triggered me to take the Associate Professorship exam was the establishment of the Koç University School of Medicine. I joined the Koç Medical School after passing the exam and played a role in its establishment. On the one hand, while working at the American Hospital, I transferred my experiences to my academic studies.

I became a professor in 2018. Our Pediatric Surgery team at Koç Medical School has grown and in 2019, I handed over the chairmanship of the Department of Pediatric Surgery, which I have been conducting since its establishment.
I am still working as a lecturer at Koç University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Surgery.

After the residency training, I never neglected to do scientific researches on the subjects that I was interested, and never stopped to participate in congresses and meetings.
I have been an observer at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in 2004, Ireland and at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, USA in 2005.
In Manheim, Germany in 2004, after passing the European Pediatric Surgery Board exam I received the EUPS certificate and immediately after that I got the certificate of competency at paediatrc surgery by Turkish Association of Pediatric Surgeons.
In 2006, our son Kuzey Ata was born.

In 2011, I published my book, “Male Circumcision: Story in Human History”, which is very important for me. The same year our daughter Zavi, a four-legged new member, joined our family

In 2012, I got the title of Associate Professor.

Among the many reasons, the first thing that triggered me to take the Associate Professorship exam was the establishment of the Koç University School of Medicine. I joined the Koç Medical School after passing the exam and played a role in its establishment. On the one hand, while working at the American Hospital, I transferred my experiences to my academic studies.

I became a professor in 2018. Our Pediatric Surgery team at Koç Medical School has grown and in 2019, I handed over the chairmanship of the Department of Pediatric Surgery, which I have been conducting since its establishment.
I am still working as a lecturer at Koç University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Surgery.