The event was successfully completed. Medical Tourism Conference on the topic "Oncology & Medical Tourism - A New Era for Greece"", organized by the Greek Health Tourism Council – ELITOUR, in collaboration with the Hellenic Anti-Cancer Society and the Hellenic Society of Radiation Oncology.
The event took place in the packed "Michalis Vlastarakos" hall at the offices of the Athens Medical Association, under the auspices of the ISA and the Medical School of the National University of Athens, and with courtesy of Vianex Pharmaceutical Companies, Winmedica, Pharmaserve Lilly, Astra Zeneca and MassiveBio, bringing together leading scientists, academics, institutional representatives and professionals from the fields of health, the pharmaceutical industry and tourism.
The conference was opened by the President of ISA and Elitour, Dr. George Patoulis, who stated "Oncology is one of the most crucial and rapidly evolving fields of medical science, gaining strategic importance in the context of the development of Medical Tourism. Greece has high-level scientific potential, modern healthcare infrastructure and internationally recognized medical schools and research centers. Combined with the country's unparalleled natural environment and rich cultural heritage, these elements create a unique ecosystem of comprehensive care for oncology patients from all over the world. The interconnection of Oncology with Medical Tourism is not just a future perspective; it is a substantial opportunity for Greece to emerge as an international model of health safety, medical innovation and well-being. At the same time, it is part of a national strategy that strengthens sustainable development, protects the country's scientific fabric and upgrades the health services provided for the benefit of all citizens."
The conference highlighted the strategic importance of Oncology as a driving force for the country's Medical Tourism, paving the way for new collaborations, investments and innovative actions in the health sector.
Greetings were delivered by the Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, who, after congratulating Mr. Patoulis, emphasized that he has long supported Medical Tourism. As he noted, this support is reflected in a series of legislative initiatives that have been implemented with a view to developing and strengthening the Medical Tourism sector. The Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Marios Themistocleous, after thanking Mr. Patoulis for the invitation, stated that today's event is a very important initiative for the promotion of Oncology and Medical Tourism in Greece and that through this conference we can advertise our country for the excellent doctors we have in the field of Oncology. The President of the Medical School of the National University of Athens, Mr. Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, expressed his joy at being "in the home of doctors", underlining that the Medical School of the National University of Athens is the "mother" of young doctors and scientists. As he noted, Oncology is at the center of the School's interest and activities, both at the research and clinical levels. The President of the Hellenic Anti-Cancer Society, Mr. Evangelos Filopoulos, expressed his warm support for initiatives that highlight Medical Tourism, noting that he will stand as a helper and companion by Mr. Patoulis' side, aiming at the further development of Medical Tourism in Greece - especially in the field of Oncology, where the country has high-level scientific potential and infrastructure. The member of the Hellenic Society of Radiation Oncology, Ms. Constantia Papalla, which represented the President Mr. George Koukourakis, congratulated all the organizers and especially the President of the ISA Mr. Patoulis who attempted to approach a special topic, such as that of oncology, where there is scope for cooperation between scientific societies, from Greece and abroad. Finally, the Deputy Commander of the 1st Ministry of Health, Mr. Stavros Tsantis, who represented the Administrator, Ms. Olga Balaoura, after congratulating the organizers, stated that Greece has well-trained medical and nursing staff, modern structures and a deep tradition of a human-centered culture in Oncology.
Important speeches were given, among others: from the Academic community, Ms. Eleni Goga, Professor of Pathology - Oncology at the University of Athens, Ms. Amanda Psirri, Professor of Pathology - Oncology, University of Athens, Ms. Maria Tolia, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology, Medical School of the University of Crete, Mr. Dimitris Papageorgiou, Associate Professor of Nursing, University of Peloponnese, from the field of Pharmaceutical Companies, Ms. Stavroula Koilakou, Head of Medical & Scientific Affairs of VIANEX, Mr. Christos Antonopoulos, Director of Oncology - Hematology at AstraZeneca, Ms. Maria Christopoulou, Pathologist – ICU specialist, Senior Medical Advisor of Pharmaserve – Lilly, Mr. Christos Sotiriou, General Manager of Winmedica, Mr. George Kakoulides, MassiveBio's representative in Greece and from the Hospital sector, Mr. Christos Emmanouilidis, Director of the Second Oncology Clinic of the International Oncology Center of the Athens Medical Group, Ms. Flora Stavridis, Director of the Fourth Pathology - Oncology Clinic of Hygeia Hospital, Ms. Maria Kaparelou, Oncologist, Curator of the Oncology & Hematology Team, "IASO" General Clinic, and Mr. Christos Panopoulos, Director of the "Euroclinic" Oncology Clinic. The three sections were coordinated by journalists Mr. Stavros Monemvasiotis, Mrs. Emilia Stathakou and Mrs. Magda Tsegou, while the commentary on the sections by Mr. Ioannis Hadjistefanou, Maxillofacial Surgeon, Ms. Constantia Papalla – Secretary General of the EAE, Ms. Despina Katsochi, Radiation Oncologist, Mr. Stefanos Lambropoulos, Oncologist, and Ms. Vanessa Delihristou, Secretary General of Elitour.
Particularly important was the participation of members of the Board of Directors of ELITOUR in the presidencies of the conference. Among them: the Vice-Presidents Mr. Konstantinos Pantos, Mrs. Christina Tambourea, K. Konstantinos Kouskoukis, and Mr. Gregory Kyriakou, Member of the Board of Directors of Elitour.
The event was attended by, among others, Ms. Eleni Vidali, President of the Greater New England Community, Mr. Costas Haniotakis, President of the Union of Greek Societies of Chicago, the Deputy Mayor of Nea Smyrni, Mr. Panagiotis Giatzidis, members of the Board of Directors of ISA, the Vice President Mr. Fotis Patsourakos, the Secretary General Mr. Efstathios Tsoukalos, the Treasurer Mr. John Kechris, the Second Vice President, Mrs. Polytimi Leonardo, the Acting Secretary General, Mr. Andreas Foustanos, the Deputy Treasurer, Ms. Lillian Markakis, the member Ioannis Datseris, and the Vice President of the Disciplinary Committee, Mr. Christopher Tzermias.
In the context of the Conference, a particularly important moment preceded it, with the twinning ceremony between the Athens Medical Association and the Kos Medical Association and its president, Ms. Katerina GavalaThis initiative sealed the timeless connection of Medical science with the island of Hippocrates, highlighting the historical and symbolic role of Kos as the cradle of medical tradition. The event was honored with greetings by: Vasilis Ypsilantis, Member of Parliament for the Dodecanese (New Democracy) and First Dean of the Hellenic Parliament, George Nikitiadis, Member of Parliament for Dodecanese (PASOK – KINAL), the Nikos Manousis, Neurologist - Psychiatrist, former Scientific Director of the "Galini" Psychiatric Clinic and Vice President of the Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, while the presence of Mr. was important. Nikos Flytzanis, President of the Athens Koan Union "Hippocrates", Mr. Ioannis Karaitianou, President of the Hellenic Gerontological and Geriatric Society, Professor of Surgery, University of Athens and President of the Association of the Carpathians, and Mr. Konstantinos Pantou, Vice President of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, and the Secretary General Mr. Antonios Polydoros.
The conference was also broadcast online, allowing Greek expatriates from America and Canada to attend.
From the Elitour Press Office
