About Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul

Group Florence Nightingale has been running since 1989. It started as a 50-bed private heart hospital in Sisli. Over 35 years it expanded into one of Turkey's most established private hospital networks - 5 hospitals, 2 medical centers, and Demiroglu Bilim University (which includes a medical faculty, nursing school, and vocational health school) across Istanbul.

The group was among the first in Turkey to receive JCI accreditation and has held it continuously. In 2015, it received QHA (Quality Healthcare Advice) Trent accreditation from an independent British accreditation body - one of the few Turkish hospital groups with both JCI and QHA certification simultaneously. ISO accreditation has been in place since early in the group's history.

Group Florence Nightingale treats 70,000 inpatients and 250,000+ outpatients annually. Total capacity across the network: 804+ patient beds, 141 ICU beds, 40 operating rooms. More than 20,000 procedures are performed per year, including 1,000 paediatric cardiac surgeries and 2,000 adult cardiac surgeries. The cardiac team has a documented 99% success rate across 41,000+ cardiac and vascular surgeries over 30 years.

The flagship Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital (Sisli) opened its current building in 2013 as Turkey's first "Green Hospital" - constructed with environmentally safe materials developed with Istanbul University of Science, no toxic emissions even in case of fire, LEED-concept design. The building covers 50,254 sqm across 18 floors with a helipad.

The oncology department has treated 8,000+ cancer cases with 50,000+ chemotherapy sessions and 160,000+ radiotherapy sessions since it began in 1977 with the motto "Every Patient Is Special." The Breast Health Center - opened in 1992 under Prof. Dr. Vahit Özmen - received the Centre of Excellence Certificate from the Senologic International Society in 2019. The Scoliosis and Spine Surgery Department received the Fully Endoscopic Spine Surgery Centre of Excellence designation in 2022. The Interventional Radiology Unit received Centre of Excellence status in 2016.

Hospital Profile

Treatments at Florence Nightingale Hospital Istanbul

Oncology & Cancer Treatment

The oncology program has been running since 1977. That's 48 years of cancer care. Over that time the department has handled 8,000+ cancer cases, 50,000+ chemotherapy sessions, and 160,000+ radiotherapy sessions. Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale was the first hospital in Turkey to introduce PET-MR (the most advanced oncology imaging system combining PET and MRI). The Breast Health Center holds the Senologic International Society Centre of Excellence certificate. TheraSphere radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) - which delivers high-dose radiation precisely to the tumour without affecting healthy tissue - is available in the radiology center. Da Vinci robotic surgery for oncological procedures is available. Gamma Knife is also in use. For cancer treatment in Turkey, Florence Nightingale's 48-year oncology history and PET-MR capability are clear differentiators among hospitals in Istanbul Turkey.

Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery

99% surgical success rate across 41,000+ cardiac and vascular surgeries over 30 years. 1,000 paediatric cardiac surgeries and 2,000 adult cardiac surgeries are performed annually across the network. The group first performed liver transplants, heart transplants, open fetal surgery, and robotic heart surgery in Turkey as private sector firsts. All surgical procedures are conducted in fully laminar airflow operating rooms. The cardiac team has been running for 35 years with an interdisciplinary approach consistently recognised for its outcome record.

Spine & Orthopaedics

The Scoliosis and Spine Surgery Department received the Fully Endoscopic Spine Surgery Centre of Excellence designation in 2022. Prof. Dr. Azmi Hamzaoglu - trained at Istanbul University, worked at Minnesota Center for Spine Surgery (USA, considered one of the best in the world for spinal surgery), and continued at Japan - founded the Orthopedic Clinic and Turkey's first Spine Surgery Center at Florence Nightingale. The Self-Sliding Rod Technique (his own method) reduces repeated operations by maintaining long-term spinal impact. The Tethering method corrects spinal deformities in growing children without full movement restriction. EOS imaging system - first introduced in Turkey at this hospital - uses very low-dose 2D/3D X-ray for full orthopedic body imaging, minimizing radiation exposure. For orthopaedic and spine surgery in Turkey, Florence Nightingale's CoE certification and Prof. Hamzaoglu's global training are specific markers.

IVF & Reproductive Medicine

IVF, infertility management, hormonal and reproductive endocrinology. Dr. Bülent Baysal - member of ESHRE, ASRM, Secretary-General of Turkish Society of Reproductive Medicine; specialises in obstetrics, gynaecology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility. For IVF treatment in Turkey, the fertility team works within a hospital network with a Neonatal ICU, which is relevant for high-risk pregnancies following IVF.

Gynaecology & Obstetrics

Hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, fibroid management, oncological gynaecology, labour and delivery. Prof. Dr. A. Cem Iyibozkurt - recognised internationally for gynaecological surgery, particularly complex laparoscopic procedures for endometriosis and ovarian conditions - is a practicing consultant at Florence Nightingale Istanbul.

Neurology & Neurosurgery

Neurology, neurosurgery, stroke management, epilepsy, and brain tumour surgery. All operating rooms are connected via audiovisual to a 300-person conference hall and international medical centers - enabling remote consultation and live surgical broadcasting for complex cases.

Nephrology & Kidney Transplant

Kidney transplant, nephrology, and dialysis. The group was the first private institution in Turkey to perform living donor kidney transplants. Transplantation units are certified by the Turkish Ministry of Health.

Interventional Radiology

The Interventional Radiology Unit holds Centre of Excellence status (2016). Liquid biopsy (CTC - Circulating Tumor Cells) for early cancer detection is available - this can detect tumours as small as 5mm, before they are visible on traditional imaging.

Bariatric Surgery

Gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, obesity management. Bariatric surgery in Turkey at Florence Nightingale is supported by the full clinical depth of the network, including endocrinology and nutritional medicine.

Technology & Equipment

• PET-MR - First in Turkey at Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale; advanced oncology and neurology imaging

• Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System - Across multiple branches; 300+ robotic urological surgeries per year

• Gamma Knife - Radiosurgery

• TheraSphere - Radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

• EOS Imaging System - First in Turkey; low-dose 2D/3D orthopedic imaging

• 3 Tesla MRI - High-resolution neurological and musculoskeletal imaging

• Voluson E10 Ultrasound - Advanced obstetric and gynaecological imaging

• GE E95 Echocardiography Device - Cardiac imaging

• Liquid Biopsy (CTC) - Early cancer detection in bloodstream

• Laminar Airflow OTs - All 11 operating rooms at Sisli are equipped

Key Doctors at Florence Nightingale Hospital Istanbul

All Group Florence Nightingale physicians are licensed by the Turkish Medical Council. Many hold Board Certification in the US, Australia, or Europe. Credentials are reviewed by the Credentials and Bylaws Committee before appointment and again every 3 years.

Nurses are recertified every 5 years. ICU nurses carry additional specialist certifications.

International Patient Services

The Center for International Patients (CIP) at Group Florence Nightingale offers a one-stop service, available 24/7.

Pre-Travel: Physician review of medical records, formal second opinion, and treatment plan before departure. Coordination: Native-speaking multilingual translators meet patients at the hospital and provide 24/7 direct assistance for medical and non-medical needs. Visa: The CIP team informs and assists with visa procedures. Transfers: Complimentary interpreter and airport transfer services during the Istanbul stay. Urgent Cases: In critical cases, the CIP guarantees same-day privileged medical second opinion and appointment, with all inquiries responded to within 24 hours. Post-Treatment: Correspondence between home country physician and Florence Nightingale treating doctor is facilitated.

Why Choose Florence Nightingale for Treatment in Turkey

99% cardiac surgical success rate over 41,000+ surgeries. Not a recent achievement - sustained over 30 years. For cardiac patients evaluating hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey, longevity matters.

PET-MR - first in Turkey. Available at Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale. For oncology and neurology patients, PET-MR provides more detailed diagnostic information than PET-CT alone.

Spine Surgery Centre of Excellence (2022). EUROSPINE-type certification for fully endoscopic spine surgery. Prof. Hamzaoglu's credentials include training at what is considered the world's top spine center in Minnesota.

48 years of oncology history. The department began in 1977. Institutional oncology knowledge accumulated over nearly five decades translates directly into better clinical decision-making on complex cases.

Green Hospital - first in Turkey. The Sisli building is constructed without materials that release toxic substances. For long-stay patients, the building environment is a practical health consideration, not just aesthetic.

Nurse re-certification every 5 years. ICU nurses hold specialist certifications. This is not standard across hospitals in Istanbul Turkey and reflects an institutional standard for nursing quality.

How DivinHeal Connects You

Step 1: Upload reports or WhatsApp them directly. 

Step 2: DivinHeal coordinates with Florence Nightingale's CIP team for a case review and cost estimate. 

Step 3: Right branch and specialist matched based on your diagnosis and case complexity. 

Step 4: Visa support, airport transfer, and accommodation arranged. 

Step 5: Coordinator accessible throughout. Remote follow-up post-treatment via DivinHeal.

Patient Reviews

"I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and needed surgery urgently. After connecting through a medical coordinator, I found Prof. Dr. Cem Iyibozkurt at Florence Nightingale Istanbul. Within a week, laparoscopic robotic surgery was scheduled. The hospital was fantastic - nurses and staff took great care. I'm really grateful."

"Cardiologists at Florence Nightingale are exceptional. The interdisciplinary approach over 30 years and 41,000 surgeries, makes this one of the top cardiac institutions. The 99% success rate speaks for itself."