Prof. Atilla YILMAZ, MD qualified in medicine at Istanbul University's Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 2000 and completed neurosurgery residency at Mustafa Kemal University in 2013. He trained in functional neurosurgery at the University of Florida with Prof. Michael S. Okun and Prof. Kelly D. Foote (2016, 2017) and at Umeå University with Prof. Patric Blomstedt (2019). He became full Professor in 2024.
At a glance
- In medicine since
- 2000 — 26 years
- Medical degree
- Istanbul University, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, 1992–2000
- Neurosurgery residency
- Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Medicine, 2007–2013
- Board examination
- Turkish Neurosurgical Society Qualification Board — written examination passed, 2018
- Associate Professor
- 2019
- Professor
- 2024, Istanbul Health and Technology University
- Current clinical post
- Head, Neuromodulation Center, Medicana Ataşehir International Hospital
- Current academic post
- Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul Health and Technology University
- ORCID
- 0000-0002-1081-3545
- Scopus Author ID
- 55346538900
- Web of Science ResearcherID
- C-1743-2016
Education
| Period | Institution | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| 1992–2000 | Istanbul University, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine | Doctor of Medicine |
| 2007–2013 | Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Medicine | Neurosurgery residency |
| Dec 2015 – Mar 2016 | Koç University — American Hospital, İstanbul | Spine surgery clinical fellowship (Prof. Ali Fahir Özer) |
| Aug 2016 | University of Florida, Movement Disorders Center | Functional neurosurgery fellowship (Prof. Michael S. Okun, Prof. Kelly D. Foote) |
| Jul 2017 | University of Florida, Movement Disorders Center | Functional neurosurgery fellowship (second term) |
| Feb 2019 – | Koç University — American Hospital, İstanbul | Spine surgery clinical fellowship (second term) |
| Jun 2019 | Umeå University Hospital, Sweden | Deep brain stimulation observership (Prof. Patric Blomstedt) |
| Apr 2016 | University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania | ERASMUS visiting scientist, Department of Neurosurgery |
Appointments
| Period | Title | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 – | Professor; Chairman of Neurosurgery | Istanbul Health and Technology University |
| 2024 – | Professor, Head of Neuromodulation Center | Medicana Ataşehir International Hospital |
| 2021–2024 | Associate Professor | Medicana Ataşehir Hospital |
| 2019–2021 | Associate Professor | Istanbul Okan University Hospital |
| 2014–2019 | Assistant then Associate Professor | Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Medicine |
| 2013–2014 | Neurosurgery specialist | Bayburt State Hospital |
| 2004–2007 | Deputy Chief Physician | Hatay State Hospital |
Awards and recognitions
- MSSFN Golden Medal, 2022.
- Turkish Neurosurgical Society Qualification Board — written examination certificate, 20 April 2018.
- Sixth-place clinical research award, 27th Scientific Congress of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society, 2013 (cranial gunshot injuries treated during the Syrian conflict).
- Certificate of appreciation, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Neurovascular Surgery Teaching and Training Group, 2009.
- Turkish utility model TR 2025 000875 Y — a fluid-tight trepanation (burr hole) closure device, granted 21 April 2026; co-inventor.
Editorial and peer-review roles
Prof. YILMAZ serves as a reviewer for journals including Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, World Neurosurgery, Spine, Child's Nervous System, Turkish Neurosurgery and Biomedicine Hub (Karger), and holds editorial board positions at Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Disorders, Sleep Medicine and Disorders: International Journal (Associate Editor) and several others.
Professional memberships
- World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN)
- International Neuromodulation Society (INS)
- European Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ESSFN)
- Middle-Eastern Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (MSSFN)
- Southeast European Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (SEESSFN)
- World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS)
- International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS)
- Turkish Neurosurgical Society and Turkish Academy of Neurological Surgery
Education, appointment and publication records are independently verifiable via YÖKSİS, ORCID and Scopus.
Frequently asked questions
Is Prof. Atilla YILMAZ board certified in neurosurgery?
He completed a full neurosurgery residency (2007–2013) in the Turkish system and passed the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Qualification Board written examination in 2018. Türkiye's specialist certification is issued by the Ministry of Health on completion of residency; the society board examination is an additional, voluntary qualification.
Where did he train in deep brain stimulation specifically?
At the University of Florida Movement Disorders Center with Prof. Michael S. Okun and Prof. Kelly D. Foote in 2016 and 2017, and at the Umeå University DBS clinic in Sweden with Prof. Patric Blomstedt in 2019.