The visit of Dr. G. Patoulis, President of the Athens Medical Association (AMA) and Elitour, to Boston, USA, was successfully completed as part of the 11th International Summer University under the theme “Greek Language, Culture, and Media.” The event, held at the Maliotis Cultural Center of the Hellenic College and the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology from May 24 to May 29, aimed to highlight Greece’s cultural and linguistic heritage.

During the visit, Dr. Patoulis met with the President of the Federation of New England, Ms. Eleni Vidalis, former President of the Federation, Mr. Vasilis Kafkas, members of the Greek-American community at St. John the Baptist parish, and the administrative board and director of the Greek School of the St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Community, Ms. Maria Kyriakantoni-Bakolas. The Greek School remains a vibrant hub of Hellenism, keeping the flame of language, history, and faith alive within New England’s diaspora. Discussions focused on strengthening ties between Greece and the diaspora and promoting the significant role of the Greek community in the region.

Furthermore, meetings were held with several distinguished Greek physicians in Boston, including Ms. Alexandra Touroutoglou, President of the Boston Hellenic Medical and Bioscientific Society and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, Ms. Christina Tsardikos, university surgeon specializing in plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgery from Argentina, Mr. George Tsokos, Chief of Rheumatology and Professor at Harvard Medical School, Mr. Steven Mattheos, Orthopedic Surgeon, Mr. Konstantinos Douglas, Ophthalmologist, Mr. Nikos Daskalakis, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School; and internationally renowned Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, Mr. Konstantinos Daskalakis. These engagements highlighted the contributions of Greek scientists to the international scientific community and strengthened collaboration between Greece and the diaspora in health and science.

While in the United States, Dr. Patoulis had the honor of meeting His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at the Maliotis Cultural Center. Their discussion addressed issues concerning the Greek-American communities, the Greek language, and cooperative efforts to support the important work carried out by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Dr. Patoulis also updated His Eminence on topics related to collaborations between the Greek-American scientific community and scientists from Greece through joint initiatives under the Archbishop’s blessing.

In his address at the conference, Dr. Patoulis emphasized the global promotion of Hippocratic ethics and the Hippocratic Oath as foundational principles for the development of Health and Wellness Tourism. He underlined that Greece, as the birthplace of Hippocratic thought, can become a global reference point for providing comprehensive health and wellness services, attracting visitors worldwide. Speaking at the 11th International Summer University, he highlighted the undeniable international growth of Health and Wellness Tourism and emphasized that combining health and hospitality offers a unique value proposition that can bring multiple benefits to Greece’s economy, society, and healthcare system.

During the conference, Dr. Patoulis was awarded for his social contributions within and beyond Greece by the Dean of the School of Education Sciences at the University of Ioannina, Ms. Nikoleta Tsitsanoudi, and the Executive Director of the Maliotis Cultural Center, Ms. Chrysoula Kourkoundi.

The thematic program of the 11th International Summer University featured speakers from Elitour, including the First Vice President, Dr. K. Pantos, Dr. Antonios Polydorou of the Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute, Academic and Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics and Endocrinology G. Chrousos, Mr. S. Prapas, Director of the Cardiac Surgery Clinic at Henry Dunant Hospital, Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the Department of Nursing, University of Ioannina, Ms. N. Zagorianakou, and journalist-communications expert Dr. V. Bafataki, who also coordinated the presentations.