Opening of the 33rd Panhellenic Surgical Congress by the Greek Minister of Health, Mr M. Chrisochoidis

On Saturday, 12 November 2023, during a ceremony held at the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre, the Greek Minister of Health, Mr M. Chrisochoidis, officially declared open the 33rd Panhellenic Surgical Congress which is Chaired by the Dean of the NKUA’s School of Health Sciences, Professor of Surgery, Dr E. Pikoulis. Attending and addressing the ceremony was the Rector of NKUA, Professor G. Siasos, the Archbishop of Athens’ representative, Reverend Father K. Stoumpos, the Greek Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Ms M. Kefala, the Chair of the NKUA’s School of Medicine, Professor N. Arkadopoulos, the President of Cyprus Surgical Society, Mr C. Charalambous, the President of the Surgical Society of Northern Greece, Mr C. Papavasileiou, the President of the Panhellenic Medical Association, Mr A. Exadaktylos, the President of Athens Medical Association and Regional Governor of Attica, Mr G. Patoulis, and the President of the European Union of Medical Specialists, Mr V. Papalois.

During the opening ceremony, the Minister of Health, Mr M. Chrisochoidis, the Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Ms M. Kefala, and the Rector of NKUA, Professor G. Siasos, presented awards to three students from the NKUA’s School of Medicine who won a model knowledge quiz for University students.

Held on a biennial basis, this well-established congress brings together over 1,300 surgeons, 30 exhibitors, distinguished scientists from 10 countries, and over 450 medical students from all over Greece and the NKUA’s ‘Medical Degree – English Program’ for five days of productive conversation covering a variety of topics related to the surgical profession.

The 600 high-level lectures, transnational round-table discussions, specialized hands-on workshops, and presentations of cases, in combination with more than 1,000 papers, posters, and video projections, serve as a multifaceted scientific platform for issues specific to modern surgery and its recent advancements.

As part of the congress, a ‘Surgical Research Day’ event is being organized for the first time to teach young surgeons the latest principles of writing research proposals. The event features scientists with experience at the national and international levels.

The congress, which is Chaired by the Dean of the NKUA’s School of Health Sciences, Professor of Surgery, Dr E. Pikoulis continues until Wednesday 15 November 2023.

Congress’ official website (in Greek): https://www.execongress2023.gr/