Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital opened on the European side of Istanbul in 2018 and operates as a multidisciplinary hospital within the Memorial Healthcare Group. The hospital includes centers for organ transplantation, oncology, and bone marrow transplantation, along with robotic surgery, advanced endoscopy, imaging, and radiation therapy services.
The hospital spans a large area and brings multiple specialties together within a single facility, making it particularly suitable for cases that require collaboration between several medical teams. International patients can submit their medical reports in advance to receive an initial evaluation, treatment plan, and estimated cost before arranging travel.
What Makes Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital Different?
This branch is more than just a large general hospital. Memorial Bahçelievler combines liver and kidney transplantation programs, bone marrow transplantation, oncology, surgical oncology, advanced endoscopy, and robotic surgery in one location. It also has a hybrid operating room and specialized imaging and radiation therapy technologies.
The branch also stands out for its architectural design. Memorial dedicated a significant portion of the facility to green spaces, natural light, and art, and the building received LEED Platinum certification related to sustainability and building efficiency standards.
Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital in Numbers
| Information | Current Data |
|---|---|
| Hospital Area | 72,000 m² |
| Green Areas | 8,000 m² |
| Beds | 320 Beds |
| Intensive Care Beds | 49 Beds |
| Operating Rooms | 15 Rooms |
| Hybrid Operating Rooms | 1 |
| Outpatient Clinics | 135 Clinics |
| Observation Rooms | 31 Rooms |
| First Patient Admission | February 1, 2018 |
These figures are currently published on the official hospital page.
Specialized Treatment Pathways at Memorial Bahçelievler
Liver and Kidney Transplantation
The hospital has specialized centers for liver and kidney transplantation, supported by teams in surgery, organ transplantation, nephrology, and related specialties. The patient journey begins with evaluating the medical condition and determining the need for transplantation, followed by the necessary tests for the recipient and donor when a living donor is available.
Care does not end after surgery. Organ transplant patients require ongoing monitoring of transplanted organ function, immunosuppressive medications, and regular follow-up examinations after discharge.
Multidisciplinary Cancer Treatment
Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital has a comprehensive cancer care infrastructure that includes an oncology center, medical oncology and chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical oncology, and nuclear medicine, along with specialties such as breast health and gynecologic oncology.
This allows treatment plans to be developed after reviewing biopsy results, imaging, and the stage of the disease, followed by determining whether priority should be given to surgery, systemic therapy, radiation therapy, or a planned combination of these treatments.
The patient pathway may follow a clear sequence:
Diagnosis ← Staging ← Multidisciplinary Oncology Review ← Treatment Selection ← Response Evaluation and Follow-Up
Having surgical oncology within the hospital is particularly important for patients who need an assessment of tumor resectability with coordination of treatment before or after surgery.
Bone Marrow Transplantation and Hematology
The branch includes a Bone Marrow Transplant Center and a Hematology Department. The current official list includes Professor Ali İrfan Emre Tekgündüz and Dr. Ömür Kayıkçı among the hospital’s bone marrow transplant team.
The center evaluates hematologic conditions that may require stem cell transplantation, with the type and suitability of transplantation determined after reviewing the diagnosis, previous treatments, and the patient’s overall health.
Not every patient with a blood cancer requires a bone marrow transplant. The decision depends on the type and stage of the disease, response to treatment, and other factors determined by the hematology specialist.
Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery
The Cardiology Department works alongside Cardiovascular Surgery and cardiac intensive care units, allowing patients to be followed from diagnosis through catheter-based intervention or surgery when required.
The current official list includes several cardiologists at the branch, including Professor Ahmet Yıldız and Professor İbrahim Sarı, while Professor Burak Onan is listed in cardiovascular surgery.
For international patients, it is preferable to submit ECG, echocardiography, catheterization, Coronary CT, and previous medical reports before determining the type of appointment.
Da Vinci Robotic Surgery
Da Vinci Robotic Surgery is one of the technologies officially highlighted by Memorial at the Bahçelievler branch. Memorial states that robotic surgery is used at this branch in specialties including urology, gynecology, and general surgery, as well as other surgical fields depending on the case.
However, the presence of a robotic system does not mean it is the best option for every operation. The surgeon determines whether robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or open surgery is more appropriate based on the disease, extent of the procedure, and the patient’s surgical history.
Advanced Endoscopy and Gastroenterology
Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital includes an Advanced Endoscopy Center alongside the Gastroenterology Department. The current official list includes Professor A. Emre Yıldırım, Professor Salih Boğa, and Professor Yusuf Ziya Erzin among the physicians at the Advanced Endoscopy Center.
Endoscopic techniques may be used to diagnose and treat selected conditions involving the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and digestive tract without the need for conventional surgery in some cases.
POEM is also featured among the treatment topics associated with the hospital on Memorial’s website. It is an endoscopic procedure used in selected cases such as achalasia.
Surgical Oncology
Memorial Bahçelievler includes a dedicated Surgical Oncology Center, not merely a general surgery department. The current physician list includes surgeons from several specialties, such as general surgery and urology, within the center.
This is important because cancer surgery depends on the location of the tumor. A gastrointestinal cancer surgeon differs from a urologic or gynecologic cancer surgeon, and the physician should not be selected based solely on the title “surgical oncologist.”
Neurology, Spine Care, and Rehabilitation
The hospital provides neurology, neurosurgery, and spine services, along with interventional neuroradiology and physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Having rehabilitation services within the hospital can benefit patients who need to restore movement and function after a neurological injury, surgery, or prolonged treatment period.
For surgical cases, original MRI and CT images and previous medical reports should be submitted so the medical team can evaluate whether intervention may be required before the patient travels.
Women’s Health and Fertility
The hospital provides obstetrics, gynecology, and fertility services, along with gynecologic oncology and high-risk pregnancy evaluation. The current list includes several gynecologists at the branch, including Professor Veysel Şal and other specialists.
For fertility or gynecologic oncology cases, the medical file may need evaluation by more than one specialty. It is therefore useful to submit imaging, biopsy reports, hormone tests, and previous surgical reports before the appointment.
How Do Departments Work Together in Complex Cases?
Example: A Patient With Colon Cancer
The patient’s journey may begin with endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging, followed by review of the results by a medical oncologist and surgical oncologist. In some cases, surgery may be the first treatment, while other cases may require additional treatment before or after the operation.
This is where having oncology, endoscopy, surgery, pathology, and imaging within the same hospital can be beneficial.
Example: A Patient Who Needs a Liver Transplant
The process begins with evaluating the liver disease and liver function, followed by assessment by the organ transplant team for both the patient and donor when applicable. After surgery, intensive care, medication management, and laboratory monitoring become part of the same treatment pathway. Memorial’s website confirms the presence of a specialized liver transplant center at this branch.
Example: A Patient With a Hematologic Malignancy
Evaluation begins in the Hematology Department to confirm the diagnosis and determine the treatment plan. When bone marrow transplantation becomes an appropriate option, the case can be transferred to the transplant center within the same branch without separating the two care pathways.
Medical Technologies at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital
PET-CT and 3 Tesla MRI
Memorial states that the hospital’s imaging infrastructure includes PET-CT and 3 Tesla MRI, along with a range of other radiology systems. PET-CT is particularly used in the diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of selected cancers, while MRI provides detailed soft-tissue imaging for a wide range of conditions.
Dual-Energy CT
Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital also includes Dual-Energy CT technology, which is highlighted on the official page among the hospital’s advanced imaging technologies.
Elekta Versa HD Signature
Elekta Versa HD Signature is listed among the hospital’s latest officially announced technologies and is used in radiation therapy according to the treatment plan established by the radiation oncologist.
Hybrid Operating Room
Among the hospital’s fifteen operating rooms is one hybrid operating room that combines a surgical environment with advanced imaging and interventional technologies, allowing it to be used for procedures that require this type of integration.
HoLEP
Memorial lists HoLEP among the advanced technologies available at Bahçelievler. This urologic technique is used to treat selected cases of enlarged prostate according to the urologist’s assessment.
A Hospital Designed Around the Patient Environment
Green Spaces
The hospital includes approximately 8,000 square meters of green space. Memorial states that plants and landscaping were intentionally incorporated into the facility’s design rather than added merely for decorative purposes.
Natural Light and Art
The hospital design incorporates natural light and artwork in different areas, particularly waiting spaces and areas where patients and their families may spend longer periods of time.
Patient Rooms and Waiting Areas
Memorial states that patient rooms, clinics, and waiting areas were designed with the comfort of patients and accompanying family members in mind, with attention to colors, lighting, and interior spaces.
These features relate to the patient experience and treatment environment and should not be presented as factors that guarantee better medical outcomes.
Accreditation, Quality, and Sustainability
JCI Accreditation
Memorial currently lists Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital among its hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International – JCI for healthcare quality and reliability.
Accreditation indicates compliance with institutional quality and safety requirements, but it does not guarantee a specific treatment outcome for every patient.
LEED Platinum Certification
The building also holds LEED Platinum certification, which is entirely different from medical accreditation. It relates to sustainability, energy and water efficiency, materials, and the indoor environmental quality of the building.
Memorial states that Bahçelievler Hospital was the first full-service hospital in the world to receive LEED Platinum certification.
For this reason, it is preferable to present JCI and LEED separately in the page design: the first is related to institutional healthcare quality, while the second relates to sustainability and facility design.
Doctors at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital
The hospital includes physicians specializing in organ transplantation, oncology, hematology, cardiology, surgery, gastroenterology, gynecology, and many other medical fields. Memorial’s current official pages display independent teams for several centers within the branch.
Names currently listed in major treatment pathways include Prof. Dr. İbrahim Kemal Astarcıoğlu in surgery and organ transplantation, Prof. Dr. Ali İrfan Emre Tekgündüz in hematology and bone marrow transplantation, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yıldız in cardiology, Prof. Dr. Burak Onan in cardiovascular surgery, Prof. Dr. Kezban Nur Pilancı in oncology, and Prof. Dr. Fazilet Öner Dinçbaş in radiation oncology.
When selecting a doctor, it is preferable to consider the physician’s experience with the specific condition rather than relying solely on their general specialty or academic title. The physician’s current availability at the branch should also be confirmed when booking, as doctor lists may change.
Which Patients May Consider Memorial Bahçelievler?
This branch may be worth considering for patients who need liver or kidney transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, multidisciplinary cancer treatment, surgical oncology, robotic surgery, radiation therapy, or advanced endoscopy. Having 49 intensive care beds and 15 operating rooms also allows the hospital to manage a broad range of surgical and complex medical cases.
However, the size of the hospital or the number of technologies it has does not automatically make it the best choice for every patient. The required physician or the program most closely related to the patient’s condition may be available at another Memorial branch, so the selection process should begin with the diagnosis and the expertise required.
What Should You Send to the Hospital Before Traveling?
The required medical file varies depending on the condition. Oncology patients usually need to provide the biopsy report, recent imaging, and details of previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Organ transplant cases require organ function reports, laboratory tests, and donor information when relevant.
For cardiac conditions, echocardiography, catheterization, and previous cardiac imaging reports are important, while spine cases generally require MRI or CT images and previous surgical reports.
Submitting the medical file does not mean the treatment plan is final. The physician may request additional examinations after arrival or reassess the diagnosis before confirming treatment.
Cost of Treatment at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital
There is no single price list that applies to all patients. Treatment costs vary according to the physician, diagnosis, required examinations, type of surgery or treatment, technology used, anesthesia, medical supplies, and the number of hospital or intensive care days.
Memorial provides an option on the hospital’s official page to request an estimated treatment cost, while the International Patient Center can also provide cost estimates after reviewing the case.
Ideally, the quotation should specify the physician, procedure, required examinations, surgical and anesthesia fees, medical supplies, number of hospital nights, expected intensive care stay when applicable, and services that are not included.
International Patient Services
Patients can begin the process before traveling by submitting their medical reports. Memorial’s International Patient Center provides services including medical opinions and treatment plans, cost estimates, interpretation, appointment coordination, admission and discharge procedures, follow-up, and airport transportation. Ground or air ambulance services may also be arranged when required.
Tabibak Healthcare helps organize the medical file, direct it to the appropriate department and physician, follow up on the response and treatment quotation, and coordinate the treatment journey as an independent medical coordination provider separate from the hospital.
Treatment Steps Through Tabibak Healthcare
- Submit the Medical File: Medical reports, biopsy results, imaging, and previous examinations.
- Identify the Medical Pathway: Select the specialty and physician most relevant to the patient’s condition.
- Send the File to the Hospital: Request an initial evaluation when available.
- Review the Treatment Plan: Confirm the recommended treatment or procedure and required examinations.
- Receive the Cost Estimate: Review what is included and excluded from the quotation.
- Confirm the Appointment: Verify the physician and date before traveling.
- Coordinate the Treatment Journey: Arrange appointments, interpretation, and transportation according to the required services.
- Follow-Up: Organize final medical reports and post-treatment communication after returning home.
Memorial Bahçelievler vs. Şişli vs. Ataşehir
| Branch | Key Features | May Be Suitable When |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial Bahçelievler | Organ transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, comprehensive oncology center, Da Vinci surgery, advanced endoscopy, hybrid operating room, and LEED Platinum certification. | The patient needs multiple specialties within one hospital, particularly for organ transplantation, oncology, bone marrow transplantation, or advanced surgery. |
| Memorial Şişli | The first hospital established by the Memorial Group, with multiple multidisciplinary centers and long-standing experience within the network. | The required physician or specialized center is located at the Şişli branch, or the patient’s condition is associated with a specific medical team working there. |
| Memorial Ataşehir | Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, with services in cardiovascular surgery, organ transplantation, oncology, IVF, and robotic surgery. | The patient prefers the Asian side of Istanbul or the required physician and specialty are available at this branch. |
Note:
There is no single Memorial branch that is best for every case. Hospital selection depends primarily on the physician, exact specialty, type of treatment, and the treatment plan recommended for the patient.
