First global Hellenic Medical Teleconference on the coronavirus
NEW YORK – The First Global Hellenic Medical Teleconference on COVID-19, held on June 20, organized by the Federation of Hellenic Medical Societies of North America in collaboration with the General Secretariat of Greeks Abroad, and the Hellenic Medical Society of New York (HMSNY) was a great success.
Dr. Spyros Mezitis, MD, Ph.D., President of the Federation and endocrinologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City moderated the meeting. Professor Emeritus John Chrysoulakis, General Secretary of Greeks Abroad of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was instrumental in putting the teleconference together.
One hundred physicians from 25 countries, including many University Professors and physicians from several hospitals and 10 Presidents of Hellenic medical societies from around the world, participated.
The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis prefaced the teleconference with the good news of Greece controlling the pandemic and opening to tourism. He invited all doctors and bioscientists of Hellenic descent to Athens, Greece next summer for a Global Hellenic Medical Conference.
The Deputy Minister of Greeks Abroad Kostas Vlasis, University Professor and orthopedist and member of the Greek Parliament congratulated the Hellenic doctors for being at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19 and for their support for Greek issues.
The Governor of Attica and President of the Medical Society of Athens Dr. George Patoulis spoke on the importance of the global networking of physicians of Hellenic descent.
The speakers and the discussants of international acclaim were exceptional and showcased the power of Hellenic physicians on the world stage.
- Greek-American Dr. George Yancopoulos, co-founder, President, and Chief Scientific Officer of the pharmaceutical company Regeneron, presented the novel genetic method of developing humanized antiviral antibodies in mice that are being used in experimental studies to block COVID-19 action on human lung cells.
- Dr. Stefanos Kales, Professor of Occupational Health at Harvard Medical School, reviewed the spread of COVID-19 in the United States and its deadly impact on nursing home residents. He analyzed the effect of several factors including climate/temperature, population density, and timely protective measures in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. He appeared optimistic about the gradual decline of the pandemic and the reduction of COVID-19 mortality.
- Dr. Manolis Kogevinas, President of the Barcelona Institute of Global Health, presented data on the initial failure of controlling the pandemic in Spain and the subsequent control measures. He noted that the pandemic has moved to countries/continents of weak health systems and problematic hygienic conditions such as South America and Africa. He concluded that the protection of biodiversity will prove a critical factor in future pandemic prevention.
- Dr. Sotirios Tsiodras, Harvard-trained Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Athens, Greece, and Chief of the Hellenic Center for Disease Control, spoke on the successful control of the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece through early lockdown, strict adherence to protective measures, increase in hospital ICU beds and population discipline. He questioned the effectiveness of the vaccines under development and how acceptable they will be by the general population. Dr. Tsiodras believes that tourism with testing and social tracing will be successful.
- Dr. Spyros Zakynthinos, Professor of Pulmonology and Intensive Care Medicine at the University of Athens and Chief of the ICU at Evangelismos Hospital in Athens, presented slides showing lower 39% mortality compared to other hospital ICUs globally that he believes is due to Greece's early lockdown.
- Dr. Theoharis Theoharides, Professor of Pharmacology/Immunology at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, commented on his work in controlling the COVID-19 cytotoxic storm.
- Dr. George Dangas, Professor of Cardiology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and Past-President of the HMSNY commented on recent studies associating COVID-19 infection with heart disease.
- The neurosurgeon Dr. Demetris Sigounas, Professor at George Washington University, noted that we will be seeing more cerebrovascular events in patients who have suffered from COVID-19 infection.
- The interventional cardiologist Dr. Elias Iliadis, President of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of New Jersey spoke on the networking of Hellenic physicians worldwide and the successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece.
- The surgeon Dr. Panagiotis Manolas, HMSNY President spoke about the contributions of the HMSNY physicians in informing and helping the Greek-American community to confront the COVID-19 pandemic and in establishing an e-platform for Hellenic professional organizations to communicate and collaborate globally.
- The gynecologist Dr. Lorraine Chrysomallis, HMSNY Vice President announced the continuing medical education program with COVID-19 tele-lectures featuring Dr. Coritsides and Dr. Tassiopoulos on Friday, July 3, 8:30 AM New York time. Other HMSNY doctors who have presented in the media include Dr. Ann Kolokathis, Dr. Andrew Glyptis, Dr. George Syros, Dr. Elias Iliadis, Dr. George Dangas, Dr. George Tsioulias, Dr. Helen Gouzoulis, Dr. George Liakeas, Dr. John Stathopoulos, Dr. Vasilis Latoussakis, Dr. Nicholas Mezitis, and Dr. Spyros Mezitis.
- Dr. Kyriaki Sonidou, President of the Hellenic Medical Society of the United Kingdom, greeted all teleconference participants and commented on Greek physicians on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic in Great Britain.
- Dr. Marinos Pirpiris, President of the Hellenic Medical Society of Australia, thanked the teleconference organizers and presented the COVID-19 situation in Australia.
- Dr. Alexis Theodorou, President of the Hellenic Medical Society of Rheinland/Westphalen in Germany, commented on the COVID-19 situation in Germany and plans to visit Greece in the summer.
- Dr. Olga Sarantopoulou, President of the Austrian Society of Hellenic Professionals and Entrepreneurs and Vice President of the Hellenic Medical Society of Austria, congratulated Professor Emeritus John Chrysoulakis, Secretary-General for Greeks Abroad of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Spyros Mezitis, President of the Federation of Hellenic Medical Societies of North America for this seminal initiative in bringing the Hellenic physicians together worldwide to network and collaborate, and exchange views in order to help Greece. She noted that this undertaking should continue on a global basis and that Hellenic scientists must participate in the future policy planning for Greece.
Conclusions of the First Global Hellenic Medical Teleconference on COVID-19 include:
- 1. The Hellenic physicians and bioscientists are at the forefront of research and management of COVID-19.
- 2. The Hellenic physicians and bioscientists globally are a great asset for supporting Greece.
- 3. All speakers agreed that protective measures including strict hygiene, social distancing, and wearing masks when in proximity in closed spaces are imperative in controlling the spread of COVID-19.
- 4. The Hellenic medical organizations were successful in communicating globally in order to collaborate in saving human lives.
- 5. Greece is working hard to provide a safe environment for Greeks from Abroad and tourists visiting the country.
The Organizing Committee for the First Global Hellenic Teleconference greatly appreciates the exemplary technical support of Dr. Elias Iliadis of the Federation of Hellenic Medical Societies of North America and Ms. Alexandra Demetriou, MS Microbiology, Boston, who assisted from the United States.
Read more at thenationalherald.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Manu5
- 1) Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
- 2) Greece shows new costumes for revamped Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony
- 3) Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
- 4) Dodecanese Federation marked 76th Anniversary of Unification with Greece
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
14/03 19:32
No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
14/03 18:36
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
14/03 14:48
14/03 12:54
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
13/03 22:23
13/03 20:11
Prices of basic lenten products either lower or equal to last year's in Greece
13/03 19:15
US Ambassador to Athens: Greece secures NATO readiness via Alexandroupolis
13/03 17:19
13/03 12:26
Greece shows new costumes for revamped Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony
12/03 22:46
Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
12/03 21:38
The President of the Hellenic Republic to visit Slovakia on March 13-15
12/03 20:29
First afternoon surgeries in Greece kick off at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki
11/03 23:58
Greek Foreign Minister: We stand behind Montenegro's European perspective
11/03 23:47
Visa Express for Turkish citizens to commence on five Greek islands in March
11/03 19:40
11/03 18:49
Microsoft Data Center construction kicks off in Spata next to Athens Airport
11/03 17:53
Dodecanese Federation marked 76th Anniversary of Unification with Greece
09/03 22:23
08/03 14:27
Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth
08/03 14:24
Traffic restrictions expected in Athens mid-morning to evening on Friday due to protests
08/03 14:24
Applications to out-of-court settlement more than doubled in Greece in February
08/03 13:18
Metro station 'Maniatika' near Piraeus Port to be closed on Saturday and Sunday
07/03 14:12
Athens wins World Travel Award 2024 as the top city-break destination in Europe
06/03 22:51
WTTC data show Greece and Portugal lead league for growth in tourist arrivals
06/03 20:28
Greek Tourism Minister at ITB: 2024 will be another excellent year for sector
06/03 19:47
Greek Foreign Minister to meet UAE Minister of Industry and Technology on Friday
06/03 18:43
European Union actions of 274m euros to support cultural heritage in Greece
06/03 16:37
'Odontotos' rack railway temporarily stopped until landslides issue is resolved
06/03 14:40
Minister: Bringing about the return of Greeks abroad 'a moral duty'
05/03 14:28
Archdiocese of America Eparchial Synod to meet on March 14-17 in Florida
05/03 14:21
05/03 14:11
ITB BERLIN 2024 opens with excellent bookings after global rise in travel in 2023
05/03 12:24
Greek PM at Athens supermarket: Consumers 'can already see lower prices on the shelf'
04/03 22:02
Greek Health Minister: Afternoon surgeries at state hospitals to begin shortly
04/03 21:47
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Whitestone Community marks 49th Anniversary
04/03 20:27
Labor chief: Greece to train 500,000 workers in digital, green skills by 2025
04/03 19:44
Foreign Ministry to organize event on 'Women, Peace, and Security' on Friday
04/03 15:12
Athens Riviera | The summer experience with Athens as a background
29/02 22:54
Consumers to see price cuts up to 18.1% in 3,000 Greek supermarket products as of Friday
29/02 21:44
Greece and Germany set up Working Group on shipping cooperation
29/02 21:30
Wyndham Rewards’ Member Month offers 5 weeks of deals, discounts, and bonus points
29/02 21:03
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion near Athens to get new lighting system
29/02 21:02
29/02 20:47
Greece is represented by 60 firms at GULFOOD 2024 exhibition
29/02 19:58
Greek government gives 1+1 month extension for cash register-integrated POS terminals
29/02 19:49
Archangel Michael Church Dance Program shines at Folk Dance Festival in SF
29/02 15:39
'Renovate-rent' programme to be launched, Minister tells Greek Parliament
29/02 12:39
Rio-Antirrio ferry line in central Greece closed due to strong winds
28/02 21:34
Weather with heavy rain and storms in Greece as of Sunday night
28/02 17:31
CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe
28/02 17:04
New Wyndham Hotels Market Managing Director of Central and Eastern Europe
28/02 12:21
Minister: Transactions with the Greek State will be further simplified in 2024
28/02 11:57
27/02 17:25
UN Tourism hails Saudi Arabia's historic milestone of 100 million tourists
27/02 15:00
Greek Prime Minister: Relations with Armenia can become even more productive
27/02 14:26
Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world
27/02 13:15
Price cuts of up to 15% in important product categories in Greece after March 1
27/02 12:46
Athens taxi drivers' protest rally in progress from Athinon avenue to Messogion
26/02 18:30
Annual Summit of Women Political Leaders (WPL) to be held in Athens in April
26/02 18:27
Culture Ministry: Schwartz Mansion in Ampelakia near Larisa to get new lighting
26/02 17:25
Greek president organizes reception for diplomats at Presidential Mansion
26/02 16:33
Trapped rack-railway passengers returned safely to Diakopto in Peloponnese
26/02 16:21
Public transport, ferry and taxi strikes in Athens on Wednesday
25/02 12:30
Greek island of Ikaria among the Blue Zones for Health Eating and Longevity
24/02 20:39
Greek PM meets Qatar Emir: Focus on bilateral cooperation and investments
24/02 18:25
Prescription cannabis for medicinal use legally available in Greece for the first time
24/02 17:19
MInister: The aim is to make fishing and fish-farming a key pillar of the economy
23/02 23:36
Greek Prime Minister arrives in Doha to be received by Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi
23/02 23:26
The Festival of Greek Dances takes place in the Metropolis of San Francisco
23/02 21:32
Revealing "70 Years of Friendship: Greece's photo journey through the Korean War"
23/02 17:15
16 Greek firms showcase at international fashion exhibitions in London
23/02 14:09
Flights to and from Heraklion airport in Crete resume on Saturday
22/02 18:15
Bill for non-state, non-profit universities being tabled in Greek Parliament on Thursday
22/02 18:13
Temporary residence for displaced Ukrainians extended in Greece to March 2025
22/02 18:10
American Hellenic Institute Golden Jubilee celebration Includes concert on April 12
22/02 18:09
Tourism Minister stresses importance of strong relationship of Greece with Serbia
22/02 17:58
Education protest rally ends and traffic resumes in Athens city center
21/02 19:47
Twistic and WeavAIR startups clinch the UN Tourism Hospitality Challenge
21/02 18:34
21/02 18:13
Traffic in Athens returning to normal after tractors depart from the Greek capital
21/02 13:01
Greek Tourism Minister in Belgrade for International Exhibition
21/02 00:55
Resilience through diversity and investments the aim of UN Tourism visit to Jamaica
20/02 23:38
Rally concludes with farmer tractors leaving Athens on Wednesday morning
20/02 20:43
Greek Prime Minister on official visit to India as of Wednesday
20/02 16:51
Minister: Greece wants to become India's gateway to the European Union
19/02 21:19
DEFEA Conference to be held at Stavros Niarchos Foundation in Athens on May 15
19/02 19:06
Traffic restrictions for farmers' rally in central Athens on Tuesday
19/02 18:11
Greece wins top tourist destination award at Grand Travel Awards in Sweden
19/02 14:23
Health Minister: Option of afternoon surgeries at public hospitals start in Greece
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
Report: School of St. Nectarios of Roslindale, a Beacon of Greek language and heritage
Greek Prime Minister to meet Bulgarian counterpart at Maximos Mansion
Saint Thomas Hellenic School organizes Parent Teacher Organization Fundraiser
Greek retail sector turnover exceeds last year's figures with €4 billion in December
IOBE forecasts 2.4% growth and 10.5% unemployment in Greece during 2024
Greek Migration and Asylum Minister meets Ukrainian Minister of the Cabinet
3-year stay and work permits approved for 30,000 undocumented migrants in Greece
Construction of Greece-Cyprus-Israel interconnection cable commences
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
Greek president organizes reception for diplomats at Presidential Mansion
TUI chief forecast: Tourism sector in Greece to break all records during 2024
Athens International Airport makes spectacular debut on Athens Stock Exchange
Rally concludes with farmer tractors leaving Athens on Wednesday morning
Minister: Greece to support Bulgaria and Romania in joining the Schengen zone