Prof. Dr. Cenk Eray Yıldız
“Patience Means Doing Everything Within One's Power.”
Born on a sunny spring day at Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine—the same institution where he would later receive his medical education and graduate—Cenk Eray Yıldız began his specialty training in Cardiovascular Surgery in November 1997. Describing the act of stopping the heart to resolve a problem and then restarting it with a single touch as a "magical touch," Yıldız likens his surgical residency to "commando training," requiring one to be constantly ready for any eventuality.
Emphasizing the importance of working in university environments where the academic spirit thrives, Yıldız participated in research on stem cell therapy and artificial heart support systems in the USA and Germany during his specialty training. He was a member of the surgical team that implanted the first artificial heart support device at Istanbul Yeditepe University and contributed to the artificial heart project. Additionally, he played a key role in the establishment of the Cardiovascular Surgery Department at Near East University in Cyprus, where the team successfully performed 35 open-heart surgeries.
Scientific work shaped by clinical experience
Adopting the professional philosophy that "the duty of an academician is not only to perform surgery but also to produce scientific work from these cases in the light of science," Prof. Dr. Yıldız has published 80 articles in national and international academic journals and has delivered over 100 presentations at congresses. Following 17 years dedicated to adult and pediatric heart surgeries, he has spent the last 12 years focusing specifically on varicose veins, vascular diseases, and associated ankle wounds (venous ulcers).
His patent application for the study titled “Genetic (miRNA) biomarkers for use in the diagnosis and follow-up of chronic venous insufficiency (Varicose Veins),” conducted in collaboration with the Aziz Sancar Genetic Center, has been accepted. With this same study, he became a finalist for the Doctorclub 2020 "Best Surgical Sciences Doctor" award.
Career timeline
Major Milestones
Commenced specialty training in Cardiovascular Surgery.
Served on the team for the first artificial heart support device application at Istanbul Yeditepe University Hospital.
Received pediatric heart surgery training at Boston Children’s Hospital and conducted stem cell research in Boston, MA-USA.
Delivered the first presentations on cardiac and vascular stem cell applications at an international congress.
Performed the first successful VAC (Vacuum-Assisted Closure) therapy applications for open sternal wounds at the Istanbul University Cardiology Institute.
Successfully treated a patient with a 25-year-old venous ulcer (ankle wound) using a three-stage method.
Won an oral presentation award at an international congress for the study titled "Self-perception and quality of life of adolescents who had undergone open-heart surgery due to cyanotic congenital heart disease in their infancy."
Took part in the team establishing the Cardiovascular Surgery Department at Near East University Hospital.
Awarded the title and authority of "Associate Professor" in the field of Cardiovascular Surgery.
Awarded the "Certificate of Professional Competence" by the Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (TKDC).
Appointed Chairman of the Surgical Wound Care Working Group of the Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.
Filed national and international patent applications regarding early diagnosis biomarkers (miRNA) for varicose vein disease.
Became a finalist in the "Surgical Sciences" category at the Turkey Doctorawards.
Served as Editor and Section Editor for the Consensus Guideline on Wound Care published by the Cardiovascular Surgery Society.
Conferred the title of "Professor."
