An Ounce of Prevention: Dr. Yildiz Zorba

Treating every patient like family is just how Yildiz Zorba, M.D., operates. “I want all my patients to feel comfortable and heard,” she says. It’s a standard she set for herself that dates back to her childhood in Turkey, where she dreamed of a career in medicine.

She went on to become the first doctor in her family. “I chose medicine because I wanted to make a real difference,” says Dr. Zorba, who earned her medical degree from Gazi University Medical School in Turkey. “I love the combination of science, lifelong learning and human connection.”

Moving to a new country and building a career in medicine took determination, resilience and a willingness to embrace new challenges. Dr. Zorba came to the U.S. after graduating, did her residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, and joined Hackensack Meridian Health in 2018.

“I have had the privilege of caring for patients from many different backgrounds,” she says. “This has strengthened my ability to provide patient-centered care.” The variety of patients she gets to help in the U.S. is what she treasures most. “I’m so glad to be in New Jersey, at Hackensack, caring for patients from many different backgrounds and communities,” she says.

Dr. Zorba, who now sees patients at Hackensack’s new Clifton office, believes prevention is key and that a physician should do more than diagnose and treat medical conditions. “I see my role as supporting patients through some of life’s most important moments,” she says. She also values what a large academic hospital offers. “Hackensack is one of the best university hospitals,” she says.

For Dr. Zorba, good health is built through small, consistent habits, including regular physicals, preventive screenings and recommended vaccinations. Prevention is her focus: “When you’re sick, you’re already sick. It’s too late,” she says. That is why she urges her patients to focus on the basics.

“I talk to my patients about avoiding smoking and alcohol, and I encourage them to exercise as much as they can,” Dr. Zorba says. “It’s hard in a busy life to always practice good habits, but we work together on how to have a balanced lifestyle and how to eat healthy foods, too.”

When Dr. Zorba counsels patients, she does it from a place of understanding. A married mother of three kids, ages 1, 11 and 12, she knows how hard it can be to keep up with the basics. “With my baby, it’s hard for me to get a good night’s sleep,” she says. “I ask my patients to try to get six to eight hours of sleep every night, but I understand that’s not always possible.”

When she does have time to spare, Dr. Zorba spends it at her children’s school activities. Traveling the world with her family is another priority, with Japan and Australia high on the list.

Through it all, the work itself is what grounds her. “Primary care is where I feel I can make the greatest difference,” she says. “I love building long-term relationships with my patients and being part of their health journey.”

How I Feel Confident About My Health

“For me, time-restricted eating has been sustainable. I believe the best approach is one that supports healthy nutrition and can be maintained over time.”

Next Steps & Resources

• Meet our source: Yildiz Zorba, M.D.
• Learn more about primary care services at Hackensack Meridian Health.