Biography

Chief of Cardiac Surgery

Highly regarded medical professional with extensive experience in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, performing groundbreaking procedures, and leading highly successful departments to advance healthcare treatments worldwide. Accomplished professional that has pioneered surgeries, published over 100 papers in international journals, and presented over 2K lectures worldwide. Expert surgeon with strong record of founding and leading associations, creating departments to support cardiovascular treatments, and facilitating comprehensive instruction to bolster student knowledge and practice of advanced medical procedures/treatments.

Professional Expertise Fields

Pioneering Accomplishments in Surgery

Professional Experience

• 1989-2023 (Present) – Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

• 2004-2023 (Present) – President, Heart and Health Foundation of Turkey

• 2014-2016 – President, European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery

• 2009 – Heart Transplantation Center License Renewal, Dokuz Eylül University

• 2000 – Launched Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Program for Adult Patients, Dokuz Eylul University

• 1996 – Assigned as Professor at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Dokuz Eylül University

• 1996 – Launched Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Program for Child Patients, Dokuz Eylul University

• 1990 – Founded Pediatric and Newborn Heart Surgery Program, Dokuz Eylul University

• 1989-2001 – Founding Chairman of Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University

• 1989 – House Surgeon, Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit, Royal Infirmary Hospital, Edinburgh

Education

• 2011 – Received Ministry of Health of Turkey Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Certificate

• 1996 – Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University

• 1990 – Associate Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University

• 1986-1989 – Military Service at Gülhane Military Academy Hospital and Compulsory Service at Higher Specialization Hospital of Turkey

• 1980-1986 – Specialization Training in Cardiovascular Surgery (Clinical Directors: Prof. Dr. Aydın Aytac and Prof. Dr. Yüksel Bozer), Hacettepe University

• 1974-1980 – School of Medicine, Hacettepe University

Professional Affiliations

• 2004 – Fellow, American College of Cardiology (FACC)

• 2002 – Member, European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (ESCVS)

• 2001 – Fellow, European Society of Cardiology (FESC)

• 2000 – Member, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)

• 1996 – Member, Turkish Association of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery

• 1995 – Member, Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery

• 1993 – Member, National Society of Vascular and Cardiovascular Surgery

• 1992 – Member, European Organ Transplant Association

• 1992 – Member, European Society of Vascular Surgery

• 1992 – Member, European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS)

• 1987 – Member, Turkish Society of Vascular Surgery

• 1987 – Board Member, Mediterranean Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery

International and National Duties and Professional Activities

• 2023 – Chairman, Asian Heart Society Council on Cardiovascular Surgery

• 2005-2024 – President, International Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery (UCCVS) (Annual congress organization of Heart and Heart Foundation of Turkey)

• 2012-2014 – President, of European Society for Cardiovascular and Endovascular Surgery

• 2011 – Director of Transplantation Institute, Dokuz Eylul University

• 2010 – Treasurer, European Society for Cardiovascular and Endovascular Surgery

• 2010 – President, 59th Congress of the European Society for Cardiovascular and Endovascular Surgery in conjunction with 6th International Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery

• 2009 – Board Member, European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery Cardiac

• 2008-2009 – 1st and 2nd Training Courses of GUCH Working Group in European Society of Cardiology in conjunction with 4th and 5th International Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery

• 2007 – ISMICS Winter Workshop Presidency 3th International Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery

• 2007 – Treasurer, Working Group of GUCH in European Society of Cardiology

• 2005 – Cardiovascular Advisory to the Board of the European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery, European Society of Cardiology Adult Congenital Heart Disease Working Group Treasurer, Founder President

• 2004-2023 (Present) – Founder of Heart and Health Foundation of Turkey

• 2004 – Founder President, Turkish Society of Cardiology, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Working Group

• 2002-2004 – Chairman, Working Group of Cardiovascular Surgery in European Society of Cardiology

• 2002 – Chair of the European Society of Cardiology Adult Congenital Heart Disease Working Group

• 2000 – 2002 Vice Chairman, Working Group of Cardiovascular Surgery in European Society of Cardiology,

• 1998 – Vice President, Cardiovascular Working Group of the European Society of Cardiology

• 1998 – Vice President, European Society of Cardiology Adult Congenital Heart Disease Working Group

• 1996-1998 – President, Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Symposiums in Izmir

• 1996 – President, 8th National Vascular Surgery Congress

• 1996 – Board Member, National Society of Pediatric Cardiology

• 1995-1999 – President, Local Monthly Cardiovascular Surgery Meetings in Izmir

• 1995 – Establishment and Presidency, National Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Association Izmir Branch

• 1993 – President, European Society of Cardiology Cardiovascular Surgery Working Group

• 1987 – Board Member, Mediterranean Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery

International Editorial Duties

• Heart Surgery Forum

• Innovations

• E-Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine (Editor-in-Chief)

Congress Scientific Programme Committee Membership

• European Society of Cardiology Congress (ESC)

• International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery Congress (ISMICS)

• World Congress of Cardiology (WCC)

• The European Society of Cardiovascular Surgery Congress (ESCVS)

• International Congress of Update in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery (UCCVS)

Scholarships – Certificates – Awards

• 2011 – Best Innovative Surgeon Award, Euro – Asian Bridge Meeting

• 1974 – Cumhuriyet High School, Ankara “First Degree Graduation”