First and Only Perfusion Doctoral Program Among Foundation Universities at Üsküdar University!

Üsküdar University continues to attract attention with its pioneering programs in the field of health sciences. The Perfusion Doctoral Program, which is the first and only among foundation universities, aims to train experts who will guide the academic and technological development of the field. 
Prof. Ali Kocailik, Head of the Perfusion Department, stated, “Our priority topics are artificial organ technologies, new generation device designs, and patient safety protocols. Our doctoral program will specifically train the minds that will produce these new generation technologies.”
 

Prof. Ali Kocailik, Head of the Perfusion Department at Üsküdar University, evaluated the emergence process of the Perfusion Doctoral Program, its contributions to the field of health, and its future goals.

Perfusion technology is developing at a breathtaking pace

Explaining the needs that led to the program's inception, Prof. Ali Kocailik said, “Perfusion technology is developing at a breathtaking pace globally. This field of science now plays a vital role not only in open-heart surgeries but also in artificial organs and advanced life support systems. This rapid growth in the sector created a need for experts equipped with the strongest scientific foundations, and most importantly, a lack of competent academicians to train these experts. As Üsküdar University, we launched our doctoral program, the first and only among foundation universities in Turkey, to fill this significant gap.”

Perfusionists are now at the center of the patient's struggle to survive

Prof. Ali Kocailik pointed out that the role of perfusion specialists in cardiovascular surgery and intensive care processes has changed significantly in recent years, stating, “Previously, perfusionists were seen only as technical specialists managing heart-lung machines in the operating room. Today, however, they are at the very center of the patient’s struggle to survive, managing artificial lung and heart support systems, which we call ECMO, in critical intensive care processes. Their role has transformed from a technical task to a multidisciplinary clinical partnership.”

Development of domestic and national health technologies is targeted

Emphasizing that the program will make significant contributions in terms of health services and clinical research, Prof. Kocailik stated, “Thanks to our doctoral program, entirely evidence-based methods—that is, scientifically proven methods—will be developed in operating rooms and intensive care units. This will directly minimize the risks of medical errors, maximizing patient safety. Furthermore, we will lead clinical research for the development of domestic and national health technologies.”

Artificial intelligence and digital health are transforming perfusion applications

Highlighting future perfusion applications, Prof. Kocailik said:

“Our priority topics are artificial organ technologies, new generation device designs, and patient safety protocols. Today, artificial intelligence and digital health are completely transforming perfusion applications. Thanks to smart sensors and data analytics, we can instantly predict all of a patient's vital data during surgery and foresee risks in advance. Our doctoral program will specifically train the minds that will produce these new generation technologies.”

We aim to make Turkey a prominent center in perfusion science

Prof. Ali Kocailik concluded his words by stating that they aim to increase Turkey's scientific power in this field:

“Our graduates will not only be clinical leaders in hospitals; they will also be academicians training new generations at universities and consultants guiding health policies. Our goal with this program is to make Turkey a globally recognized academic center in perfusion science. In short, the heart of perfusion beats in Üsküdar, and the health leaders of the future are being trained here.”