The Hippocratic Week, held from October 13 to 20 in Kos, was completed with great success in the context of the Oath-taking ceremony of top medical graduates from Greek and international universities, who swore the authentic Oath of Hippocrates, the Father of Western Medicine. On Sunday, October 20, the closing ceremony of the Hippocratic Week took place in Kos, the birthplace of Hippocrates, and the event is scheduled to be held again next year.
On the morning of the same day, a commemorative race in honor of Hippocrates was organized by the Athens Medical Association as part of its centennial anniversary, in collaboration with Special Olympics Hellas and the Hellenic Red Cross. The race course, which was run by athletes from various primary schools of Kos, as well as individuals with disabilities from the Special Olympics, started at the Hippocratic Mansion and proceeded to the Asclepeion, with the finish line at the Hippocratic Mansion. The President of the Athens Medical Association (AMA) and ELITOUR, Mr. George Patoulis, along with the Secretary General of the Global Doctors Hippocratic Institute (GDHI), Mr. Antonios Polydorou, ran symbolically alongside the young athletes. Dr. Patoulis then awarded medals to the winners and the other participants for their efforts, along with the President of Special Olympics Hellas, Mr. Dionysios Kodellas, and the Ambassador of Cyprus to Greece, Mr. Stavros Avgoustides.
After the race, a twinning ceremony was held between the Medical Association of Kos and the Medical Associations of Paphos, Argolis, and Arcadia, and a memorandum of cooperation was signed by the President of the AMA and the Global Doctors Hippocratic Institute, Dr. Patoulis, with Ms. Konstantia Papalla, representative of the Hellenic Cancer Society, regarding cancer prevention issues, with the Hellenic Diaspora Doctors Association (HEDIDA) and its President, Ms. Athena Angelopoulou, and with the representative of the Medical Association of North Rhine-Westphalia, Mr. Savvas Apostolidis, concerning the networking of medical associations abroad. Following this, honorary awards were presented by the President of the AMA, Mr. Patoulis, to the Ambassador of Cyprus in Athens, Mr. Avgoustides, the President of Special Olympics Hellas, Mr. Kodellas, the President of the Medical Association of Kos, Ms. Katerina Gavala, Ms. Angelopoulou, President of HEDIDA, Mr. Savvas Apostolidis, representative of the Medical Association of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Ms. Natassa Giannakopoulou, Station Manager of Aegean Airlines in Kos, for Aegean’s generous sponsorship in covering the travel expenses of Greek and foreign students who came to Kos to take the Hippocratic Oath.
Later in the day, a seminar dedicated to Medical Tourism in the South Aegean was held. Dr. George Patoulis, President of AMA, ELITOUR, and the Global Doctors Hippocratic Institute, opened the seminar, stating that Medical Tourism – Health and Wellness Tourism – represents a sector with immense prospects and growth potential, both globally and in Greece. Among other things, he emphasized the following:
“We clearly believe that Health Tourism, Medical Tourism, Wellness, and Longevity are strong pillars for development in our country, as the investments to be made in the coming years worldwide will be significant, and this must form the basis for absolute cooperation between the state, local authorities, scientific organizations, and entrepreneurs.”
Dr. Patoulis also highlighted the extensive efforts made by the Greek Health Tourism Council to promote and showcase Health and Wellness Tourism, stressing that Greece should lead the world not only in terms of the number and availability but also the quality of its thermal springs.
Significant speeches were also delivered by the following: Mr. Konstantinos Kouskoukis, Vice President C of ELITOUR, Professor of Medicine and Vice President of the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, Mr. Stephanos Geroulanos, Professor of Anatomy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mr. Dimitrios Filippou, Secretary General of the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, Mr. George Tallaros, President of the Medical Association of Kos, Ms. Katerina Gavala, Director of the Hellenic Intermunicipal Network of Healthy Cities, Mr. George Stefanakos, Fetal Cardiologist and Lecturer at the European University of Cyprus, Ms. Victoria Polydorou, Graduate of Nursing, Ms. Anastasia Koilou, and Director of Swisstec Medical in Switzerland, Mr. Marinos Mylonas.
Attendees included the President of the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, Mr. Nikos Papantoniou, Secretary General of the Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute and board member of Special Olympics Hellas, Mr. Antonios Polydorou, Vice President of the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, Mr. Nikolaos Manousis, and the President of the Medical Association of Paphos, Mr. Christos Georgiadis, among other presidents.
