The Medical Tourism Conference entitled “Oncology & Medical Tourism – A New Era for Greece”, organized by the Greek Health Tourism Council – ELITOUR in collaboration with the Hellenic Cancer Society and the Hellenic Society of Radiation Oncology, was successfully concluded.
The event took place in the fully attended “Michalis Vlastarakos” hall at the premises of the Athens Medical Association, under the auspices of the AMA and the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), and with the generous sponsorship of the pharmaceutical companies Vianex, Winmedica, Pharmaserve Lilly, AstraZeneca, and MassiveBio. It brought together leading scientists, academics, institutional representatives, and professionals from the fields of health care, the pharmaceutical industry, and tourism.
The proceedings were opened by Dr. George Patoulis, President of the Athens Medical Association and ELITOUR, who stated:
“Oncology is one of the most crucial and rapidly developing fields of medical science, acquiring strategic importance in the framework of Medical Tourism. Greece possesses a highly qualified scientific workforce, modern healthcare infrastructures, 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 around the world. The interconnection of Oncology and Medical Tourism is not merely a future prospect; it represents a tangible opportunity to position Greece as an international model of health security, medical innovation, and well-being. At the same time, it integrates into a national strategy that strengthens sustainable development, safeguards the country’s scientific fabric, and upgrades the quality of healthcare services for the benefit of all citizens.”
The conference highlighted the strategic significance of Oncology as a driving force for the development of the country’s Medical Tourism, paving the way for new collaborations, investments, and innovative initiatives in the health sector.
Greetings were extended by the Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, who, after congratulating Mr. Patoulis, stressed that he has consistently supported Medical Tourism. As he noted, this support is reflected in a series of legislative initiatives aimed at fostering and strengthening the sector. Deputy Minister of Health Mr. Marios Themistokleous, after thanking Mr. Patoulis for the invitation, stated that the event represents a highly important initiative to promote Oncology and Medical Tourism in Greece, adding that through such conferences the country can be showcased internationally for its excellent oncologists.
The President of the Medical School of NKUA, Mr. Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, expressed his joy at being “in the doctors’ home,” underlining that the School constitutes the “cradle” of new doctors and scientists. He emphasized that Oncology is at the core of the School’s research and clinical activities. The President of the Hellenic Cancer Society, Mr. Evangelos Filopoulos, expressed his warm support for initiatives that highlight Medical Tourism, stressing that he will stand as an ally alongside Mr. Patoulis with the goal of further developing Medical Tourism in Greece — particularly in Oncology, where the country has high-level scientific expertise and infrastructure.
Ms. Konstantia Papalla, member of the Hellenic Society of Radiation Oncology, representing its President Mr. George Koukourakis, congratulated all organizers and especially Mr. Patoulis for addressing such a critical issue as oncology, where fertile ground exists for cooperation between scientific societies from Greece and abroad. Finally, the Deputy Governor of the 1st Regional Health Authority, Mr. Stavros Tsantis, representing Governor Ms. Olga Balaoura, congratulated the organizers and noted that Greece has highly trained medical and nursing personnel, modern structures, and a deep tradition of patient-centered culture in oncology.
Significant presentations were delivered by: from academia, Prof. Eleni Goga (Professor of Pathology–Oncology, NKUA), Prof. Amanda Psyrri (Professor of Pathology–Oncology, NKUA), Assoc. Prof. Maria Tolia (Radiation Oncology, University of Crete), Assoc. Prof. Dimitrios Papageorgiou (Nursing, University of the Peloponnese); from the pharmaceutical sector, Ms. Stavroula Koilakou (Head of Medical & Scientific Affairs, Vianex), Mr. Christos Antonopoulos (Director of Oncology–Hematology, AstraZeneca), Ms. Maria Christopoulou (Pathologist, ICU specialist, Senior Medical Advisor, Pharmaserve–Lilly), Mr. Christos Sotiriou (General Director, Winmedica), Mr. George Kakoulidis (Representative of MassiveBio in Greece); and from hospitals, Mr. Christos Emmanouilidis (Director, 2nd Oncology Clinic, International Oncology Center, Athens Medical Group), Ms. Flora Stavridi (Director, 4th Pathology–Oncology Clinic, Hygeia Hospital), Ms. Maria Kaparelou (Oncologist, Oncology & Hematology Unit, IASO General Clinic), and Mr. Christos Panopoulos (Director, Oncology Clinic, Euroclinic).
The three sessions were moderated by journalists Mr. Stavros Monemvasiotis, Ms. Emilia Stathakou, and Ms. Magda Tsegkou, with commentary provided by Mr. Ioannis Chatzistefanou (Maxillofacial Surgeon), Ms. Konstantia Papalla (General Secretary, Hellenic Cancer Society), Ms. Despina Katsokhi (Radiation Oncologist), Mr. Stefanos Lampropoulos (Medical Oncologist), and Ms. Vanessa Delichristou (General Secretary, ELITOUR).
Particularly important was the participation of ELITOUR Board members in the presidium of the conference, including Vice Presidents Mr. Konstantinos Pantas, Ms. Christina Tambourea, Mr. Konstantinos Kouskoukis, and Board Member Mr. Grigorios Kyriakou.
Among those present were Ms. Eleni Vidali, President of the Greater New England Greek Community; Mr. Kostas Chaniotakis, President of the Union of Hellenic Societies of Chicago; Deputy Mayor of Nea Smyrni, Mr. Panagiotis Giatzidis; members of the AMA Board of Directors, including Vice President Mr. Fotis Patsourakos, General Secretary Mr. Efstathios Tsoukalos, Treasurer Mr. Ioannis Kehris, 2nd Vice President Ms. Polytimi Leonardou, Deputy Secretary General Mr. Andreas Foustanos, Deputy Treasurer Ms. Lillian Markaki, member Mr. Ioannis Datseris, and Disciplinary Committee Vice President Mr. Christoforos Tzermias.
A particularly significant moment of the conference was the twinning ceremony between the Athens Medical Association and the Medical Association of Kos, represented by its President Ms. Katerina Gavala. This initiative sealed the enduring link of medical science with the island of Hippocrates, highlighting the historic and symbolic role of Kos as the cradle of medical tradition. The ceremony was honored with greetings by Vasilis Ypsilantis, Member of Parliament for Dodecanese (New Democracy) and First Dean of the Hellenic Parliament; George Nikitiadis, MP for Dodecanese (PASOK–KINAL); Nikos Manousis, Neurologist–Psychiatrist, former Scientific Director of “Galini” Psychiatric Clinic and Vice President of the Hippocratic Foundation of Kos; as well as Mr. Nikos Flytzanis, President of the Kos Union of Athens “Hippocrates”; Mr. Ioannis Karaitianos, President of the Hellenic Gerontological and Geriatric Society, Professor of Surgery at NKUA and President of the Pan-Karpathian Association; and Mr. Konstantinos Pantas, Vice President of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, together with its Secretary General Mr. Antonios Polydorou.
The conference was also broadcast online, enabling Greek expatriates from the United States and Canada to follow the proceedings.
