The conference was held with great success and significant participation. Hippocratic Week – Hippocratic School, which organized the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, in collaboration with the Athens Medical Association and the Hellenic Association of Physicians and Dentists of New England.
The event was held under the auspices of the Holy Orthodox Archdiocese of America and was held in Malioteio Cultural Center of Boston, with the cooperation of Medical Schools of the National University of Greece, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Department of Medicine of the School of Health Sciences of the University of Thessaly, the European University of Cyprus and the University of Cyprus, as well as with the participation of Federation of Greek American Societies of New England.
The main theme of the conference was "The meeting of the Father of Medicine Hippocrates with the Boston Medical Community of Greeks", highlighting the timeless connection of Greek medical heritage with the modern scientific community and the Greek diaspora.
Its President World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians and the Athens Medical Association, Dr. G. Patoulis, both in his greeting and in his keynote speech, referred to the Institute's international activities and the essential role of Hippocratic Week as an institution that unites students, universities and doctors from all over the world. He placed particular emphasis on the importance of the initiative for young doctors, noting that through such actions, scientific cooperation, the exchange of knowledge and contact with the timeless ideals of medical science are cultivated. At the same time, he praised the important role of the Greek diaspora, as a bridge connecting Greece with the international scientific community, while underlining the need for unity among Greek doctors wherever they operate. Referring to the principles of Hippocratic Ethics, he emphasized that respect for the patient, selfless service, dedication to science and a human approach are foundations that remain absolutely relevant and necessary in modern medical practice.
The opening of the conference was blessed by e. Vasilios Bembis, conveying his wishes and blessings His Eminence Archbishop of America, Mr. Elpidophoros.
Greetings were delivered by the Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. M. Themistocleous, the Consul General of Greece in Boston, Mr. S. Tegos, the Vice President of the Hellenic Association of Physicians and Dentists of New England, Mr. I. Glavas, the General Secretary of the Federation of Greek American Societies of New England and O. Fotou, the Executive Director of the Malioteio Cultural Center, Ms. Ch. Kourkoundi, the Lecturer at the European University of Cyprus and Head of Hippocratic Week Dr. B. Polydorou, as well as the Secretary General of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians Dr. A. Polydorou.
The first section of the conference included important scientific presentations by distinguished speakers, including: Dr. G. Patoulis, Dr. V. Polydorou, Dr. S. Kalis, Dr. A. Touroutoglou, MIT Professor K. Daskalakis, Dr. N. Makris, Dr. L. Georgoudis and Dr. K. Psimopoulos, who developed contemporary issues of medical science and innovation.
The second section was dedicated to Greek Culture and the Greek Diaspora, with speakers including: Father Vasilis Bembis, Mrs. Ch. Kourkoundi, Mrs. E. Vidalis and Mr. I. Glavas, who highlighted the importance of preserving cultural identity and strengthening the ties of the Greek diaspora with Greece.
The third section of the conference was extremely important, which was dedicated to presentation of the Medical Schools of Greece and Cyprus by the students themselves who participated in the program. The students presented the English-language study programs of their universities, the academic and research opportunities they offer, as well as the opportunities for international study and cooperation that are developing in the Greek and Cypriot academic arena.
From the Medical School of the National University of Athens, the students Mr. S. Kefalidis and Mrs. A. Adamopoulou, from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ms. H. Raptis and Y. Kara, from the Department of Medicine of the University of Thessaly, Mr. K. Georgakopoulos and Mrs. A. Hadjimichael, from the European University Cyprus Dr. V. Polydorou and the students, etc. K. Boukouvalas and Mrs. E. Boukouvala, while from the University of Cyprus, Ms. N. Anastasiou and Mrs. K. Zonia.
A special section of the conference was dedicated to the particularly critical demographic issue of Greece. In this context, online interventions were made by obstetrician-gynecologist and Vice President of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, Dr. K. Pantos, as well as the lawyer of Genesis Athens, Ms. E. Sfakianoudis, who developed the contemporary dimensions of the issue, its social and institutional implications, as well as proposals for its substantive treatment.
The conference concluded with a particularly moving ceremony, during which the students took the oath of the authentic Hippocratic Oath. The Oath was read by the Lecturer of the European University of Cyprus, Dr. B. Polydorou, while the commemorative diplomas were awarded to the students by the Secretary General of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, Dr. A. Polydorou.
The event confirmed the timelessness of Hippocratic thought, the strength of the Greek medical tradition and the importance of cooperation between academic institutions, scientific bodies and the Greek diaspora.
