Tugba Kaplan, MD

• Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey, MD, 2007
• Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, Residency, Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, 2014
• Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA, Clinical Observer, Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, 2016
• Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, MD, USA, Residency, Internal Medicine, 2024

Dr. Tugba Kaplan, MD, brings a rich tapestry of clinical expertise and academic rigor to her role as Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Maryland Midtown Campus. Her medical journey began at Cukurova University in Adana, Turkey, where she earned her MD. After graduating, she fulfilled her mandatory service as a Primary Care Physician in Ankara, Turkey, managing a wide range of medical cases and emphasizing preventive care through vaccinations, screenings, and health education.

Transitioning to specialization, Dr. Kaplan pursued further training as a Resident Physician in Pulmonology and Critical Care, gaining extensive hands-on experience managing a wide spectrum of pulmonary and critical care conditions. She specialized in advanced mechanical ventilation strategies, hemodynamic monitoring, and life-saving interventional pulmonology procedures, showcasing her proficiency in delivering critical care under challenging circumstances. Her dedication to staying abreast of the latest medical advancements led her to actively participate in conferences and continuous professional development, ensuring her practice remained grounded in evidence-based, compassionate care.

In recognition of her potential as a clinician-researcher, Dr. Kaplan was awarded a prestigious governmental grant in 2015 to conduct groundbreaking research on lung cancer as a clinical observer/research fellow in the United States. This experience at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) also provided her with well-rounded exposure to advanced bronchoscopy procedures, exceptional ICU management of critically ill patients, and outpatient care for chronic pulmonary diseases. Her contributions were underscored by her co-authorship of a peer-reviewed article on innovative diagnostic techniques in pulmonary medicine. Overall, Dr. Kaplan's experience at GBMC has significantly enriched her knowledge, skills, and readiness to pursue a career in the US focused on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

Dr. Kaplan further solidified her expertise during her residency in Internal Medicine at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, MD, USA, from 2021 to 2024. Throughout her residency, she demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning and excellence in patient care, enriching her medical knowledge and clinical competencies across diverse patient populations and complex medical scenarios.

Institutionally, Dr. Kaplan has made significant contributions as a member of the Luminis Health Sepsis Performance Improvement Committee. Her proactive role in developing and implementing protocols for early sepsis recognition and management, aligned with national guidelines, has positively impacted patient outcomes.

Dr. Kaplan's clinical expertise is augmented by her commitment to medical education. She has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring medical students, residents, and undergraduate students, helping them navigate their academic and professional journeys. Her research interests include asthma, COPD, lung cancer, health outcomes of marijuana use, and the impacts of electronic nicotine delivery systems on respiratory health.

Dr. Kaplan's career trajectory is a testament to her unwavering dedication to advancing medical practice and education. Her multifaceted experiences, from primary care to advanced critical care and research, uniquely positions her to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals and deliver exemplary, patient-centered care in academic and clinical settings.

Asthma, COPD, Lung Cancer, Health Outcomes of Marijuana Use, and the impacts of electronic nicotine delivery systems on respiratory health, Health Disparities

Yildiz Gulhan P, Arbak P, Kaplan B, Kaplan T, Gulhan M. Assessment of symptoms of dust exposed employees with niosh questionnaire. Eur Respir J. 2017;50(Suppl 61):2654.

Hakim R, Sabath B, Kaplan T, Yung R. Use of Narrow Band Imaging in the Diagnosis of Hypovascular Endobronchial Sarcoidosis. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2017;24(4):315-318.

Akinci Ozyurek B, Ozmen O, Sahin Ozdemirel T, Erdogan Y, Kaplan B, Kaplan T. Relation between neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and primary tumor metabolic activity in patients with malign pleural mesothelioma. Clin Respir J. 2018;(2):646-651.

Akinci Ozyurek B, Sahin Ozdemirel T, Buyukyaylaci Ozden S, Erdogan Y, Ozmen O, Kaplan B, Kaplan T. Does advanced lung inflammation index (ALI) have prognostic significance in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer? Clin Respir J. 2018;(6):2013-2019.

Akinci Ozyurek B, Sahin Ozdemirel T, Buyukyaylaci Ozden S, Erdogan Y, Kaplan B, Kaplan T. Prognostic Value of the Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) in Lung Cancer Cases. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2017;18(5):1417-1421.