In a solemn atmosphere, the ceremony for the oath-taking of distinguished doctors under the Hippocratic Oath was held at the Asclepieion of Kos, in the presence of prominent institutional, scientific, and academic figures, thereby strengthening the connection between modern medicine and the principles and values of the Hippocratic tradition. The event was co-organized by the Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute, the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, the Municipality of Kos, the South Aegean Region, the Athens Medical Association, and the Kos Medical Association.
The President of the Athens Medical Association and the Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute, Mr. George Patoulis, congratulated the new doctors, emphasizing that this ceremony is a key objective for disseminating knowledge about the ancient roots of medicine and passing on the values of Hippocratic Medicine to current and future doctors worldwide, as well as to medical associations around the globe. He further noted, “Our goal and vision are to expand the circle of distinguished doctors participating in this oath-taking ceremony, attracting top students from major international universities.”
Mr. Patoulis also highlighted the strategic connection between Health Tourism and Hippocratic Medicine, stressing that the dissemination of knowledge about the ancient Greek roots of medicine and the transmission of the values of Hippocratic philosophy are key pillars for international collaboration and promoting Greece as a leading destination for medical tourism. The Master of Ceremonies for the oath-taking event was Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fetal-Maternal Medicine, and President of the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, Mr. Nikos Papantoniou.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Athens, Mr. Stavros Avgoustides, thanked Mr. Patoulis for organizing the significant event and delivered an emotional speech reflecting on fifty years since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
At the conclusion of the event, a cultural program dedicated to Cyprus followed, featuring performances by singers Michalis Violaris and Konstantina Konstantinou, as well as an orchestra composed of Konstantinos Chatzichristodoulou, Dimitrios Savvaidis, and Spyros Vlachos. The artistic direction of the program was handled by Mr. George Pagiatis, with the event hosted by visual artist Skevi Giapani.
Earlier in the day, the conference proceedings related to the Hippocratic Week took place, with top students from foreign universities attending significant lectures from the Greek scientific and academic community. It is also worth noting the decisive participation of foreign universities throughout Hippocratic Week, with representatives from Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds in England, as well as from Belgrade and the United States.
Greetings were delivered at the conference by the Mayor of Kos, Mr. Theodosis Nikitaras, the Metropolitan of Kos and Nisyros, His Eminence Nathaniel, the Deputy Governor of Kos, Ms. Konstantina Svynou, the President of the Kos Medical Association, Ms. Katerina Gavala, and the President of Special Olympics, Mr. Dionysios Kodellas. Virtual greetings were also extended by the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms. Elena Rapti, the Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Dimitris Vartzopoulos, the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mr. Gerasimos Siassos, the President of the European Association of Professors Emeriti, Mr. George Christodoulou, the Professor of Cardiology and Vice President of the Athens Medical School, Mr. Konstantinos Tsioufis, and the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Democritus University of Thrace, Mr. Theodoros Konstantinidis.
Important speeches and contributions were made by Professor of Medicine and Vice President of the International Foundation of Kos, Mr. Stefanos Geroulanos, the Secretary General of the International Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, Mr. Antonios Polydorou, and the Secretary General of the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, Mr. George Tallaros.
Among those in attendance were, Vice President B’ of the International Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, Mr. Konstantinos Kouskoukis, the General Secretary of the International Vexillum Sciacca Awards, Ms. Vasiliki Bafataki, Surgeon and Professor of Anatomy, Mr. Dimitris Filippou, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Endocrinology at the University of Athens, Mr. George Chrousos, Fetal Cardiologist and Lecturer at the European University of Cyprus School of Medicine, Ms. Viktoria Polydorou, Nursing School graduate Ms. Anastasia Koilou, and the Director of EDDYPY, Mr. George Stefanakos.
