The 9th Panhellenic Conference on Thermal Medicine, organized by the Hellenic Academy of Thermal Medicine in collaboration with the Greek Health Tourism Council (Elitour), the Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute (GDHI), and the Hellenic Society for Reproductive Medicine, concluded successfully from May 29 to 31 at the Caravel Hotel. The conference was held under the auspices of the Ministries of Health, Culture, and Sports, the Athens Medical Association, and the Greek National Tourism Organization.
The conference was inaugurated with a greeting by the Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, who emphasized the Ministry’s positive contribution to the development of Thermal Tourism and the establishment of Thermal Medicine as Epigenetic Medicine.
Dr. George Patoulis, President of ISA, Elitour, and GDHI, noted during the opening that Thermal Medicine, along with Health and Wellness Tourism, constitutes a highly promising sector with immense growth potential in Greece and worldwide. He further highlighted that Health Tourism serves as a powerful pillar for promoting Greece globally, creating jobs through investments expected in the coming years, and facilitating the return of distinguished scientific professionals who have emigrated abroad, thereby addressing the brain drain of young Greek scientists.
Professor Konstantinos Kouskoukis, President of the Hellenic Academy of Thermal Medicine, President of the World Academy of Chinese and Complementary Medicine, Vice President of GDHI and Elitour, and Vice President of the Hellenic and International Society for Gene and Molecular Medicine and Research, declared the conference an exceptional success with international reach. He emphasized that Thermal Medicine, as a Complementary Medicine practiced exclusively by specialized physicians, opens new horizons. In addition to its therapeutic and preventive aspects, it also possesses Epigenetic Action. Professor Kouskoukis stressed that Greece must lead the field of Thermal Tourism and Wellness, leveraging its extensive wealth of thermal springs in terms of quantity, quality, and diversity. He underscored the need for sustainable, year-round tourism within Greece’s unique bioclimate, offering experiential opportunities for visitors who admire Greece’s historical and cultural heritage. He also stated that the goal is for Greece to become a global Health Resort and Medi Spa, providing top-tier services in Therapy, Prevention, Epigenetic Repair, Rehabilitation, Recovery, Longevity, and Well-being. He highlighted that Greece is one of the world’s five Blue Zones.
Distinguished professors from Greece and abroad presented significant contributions on Thermal Medicine, focusing particularly on its Epigenetic Action, which repairs genetic mutations causing severe diseases, within the framework of Personalized Precision Medicine.
Prominent speakers included:
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Professor Demosthenes Sarigiannis, Environmental Engineering Professor, AUTH; President & Director, National Research Foundation
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Professor George Patrinos, Pharmacy Professor, University of Patras; General Director & Director of Research, Hellenic Pasteur Institute
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Professor Ioannis Giannios, Genomics Professor; Honorary President, Hellenic Academy of Thermal Medicine; President, MSc in Genomic Medicine and Health, University of South Wales
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Professor Aristides Tsatsakis, Emeritus Professor of Toxicology, University of Crete; Researcher
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Professor George Koliakos, Emeritus Professor, Medical School, AUTH; Researcher
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Professor Kimon Volikas, Geriatrics Professor, Specialist in Internal Medicine
Other notable presentations were given by:
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Mr. Alexandros Yatzidis, Surgeon; CEO of IEKETY & PESKAET; Secretary, Hellenic Academy of Thermal Medicine
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Ms. Christina Papanikolaou, Former Secretary General of Public Health, Ministry of Education
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Mr. Panagiotis Zirogiannis, President, EDIP
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Professor Stephanos Geroulanos, Surgery Professor, University of Zurich; Former Chair, Medical History, University of Ioannina; Former President, Hippocratic Foundation of Kos
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Professor Ioannis Nestoros, Psychology Professor, University of Crete; President, Spinoff “Modern Amphiareia”
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Dr. Grigorios Kyriakou, Oncological Surgeon; Member, Elitour
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Dr. Victoria Polydorou, Cardiologist and Fetal Cardiologist; Lecturer, European University of Cyprus
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Dr. Maria Simaskou, Otolaryngologist; PhD, MSc
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Dr. Konstantinos Noutsis, Dermatologist; Former Director, Dermatology Clinic, “Evangelismos” General Hospital of Athens
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Mr. Nikolaos Kouremenos, Well-being Specialist
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Dr. Demosthenes Papamethodiou, Neurologist; MSc in Genomic Medicine and Classical Homeopathy; President, Hellenic Society of Homeopathic Medicine
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Dr. Myrto Sotiropoulou, Gynecologist
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Dr. Eustratios Papadellis, Orthopedic Surgeon; PhD, EKPA; Consultant, King’s College
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Dr. Emmanouil Kouskoukis, Neurologist; MSc in Occupational Hygiene and Safety, DUTH
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Ms. Ioanna Kyrligkitsi, Physiotherapist; MSc in Health Unit Management, Hellenic Open University
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Mr. Isidoros Mentis, Pharmacist; MSc in Health Economics, EKPA
The event’s success was significantly supported by the members of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Academy of Thermal Medicine, including Vice President Mr. Ilias Kavkas, Secretary General Mr. Dimitrios Begkas, Secretary Mr. Alexandros Yatzidis (Editor-in-Chief, Medlabnews – Medical News), and Treasurer Mr. Emmanouil Kouskoukis.
