Istinye University Hosts International Planetree Human-Centered Care Conference

International Planetree Human-Centered Care Conference Held at Istinye University

On September 20, the “International Planetree “ Human-Centered Care Conference was hosted at Istinye University, in collaboration with OHSAD and Istinye University, attracting high-level participation from healthcare professionals and leaders.

The conference focused on sustainable strategies for the future of healthcare, with a strong emphasis on the role of human-centered approaches in ensuring quality, compassionate, and effective patient care.

“We Need to Touch the Human Spirit

In his opening remarks, Dr. Reşat Bahat, President of OHSAD, stressed the irreplaceable role of people in healthcare systems:

“Any healthcare system that does not place humans at its center is flawed. Focusing on patients and distributing healing for their benefit is what truly matters. It is not only about modern hospitals, advanced treatments, or high-quality equipment”we must touch the human spirit. In the future, artificial intelligence and software will handle many processes, but what will remain for us is the ability to connect with the human spirit.

“Our Goal is Sensitive, Human-Centered Healthcare

A key highlight was the panel discussion “Challenges and Strategies to Overcome Challenges, chaired by Meri İstiroti, Liv Hospital Group Coordinator. She noted the increasing need for empathetic and inclusive healthcare models:

“Developing an empathetic approach across all hospital disciplines”whether for adults or pediatric patients”and involving patients and their families in treatment processes is the motto of this new era. This conference is an opportunity to learn from hospitals already on this journey and explore how organizations can better support their staff. Our ultimate goal is to provide more sensitive and human-centered healthcare services.

Global and Local Perspectives

Micheal Guilano, President of Planetree International, expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Türkiye in advancing this mission:

“Our work spans 35 countries, with the goal of humanizing healthcare services. By learning from hospitals in Türkiye, we aim to support the scaling of humane and patient-centered care globally.

The event also featured contributions from Prof. Dr. Serdar Kahraman (Brain and Nerve Surgery Specialist, Liv Hospital Ulus) and Op. Dr. Adil Tanık (Group Medical Director, Liv Hospital), who shared their insights and experiences with the participants.

A Step Toward the Future of Healthcare

The International Planetree “ Human-Centered Care Conference served as a platform for knowledge exchange, best practices, and collaborative strategies, reinforcing the idea that while technology advances rapidly, human empathy, compassion, and sensitivity will remain at the heart of healthcare.