What to Pack for an Australian Adventure with Hellenes & Hip

We, accompanied by Hippocrates, the Father of Clinical Medicine, embarked on a journey from Bucharest to the th stop of the Global Doctors Hippocratic Institute, the exciting and vibrant Melbourne – the veritable heartbeat of the Greek community of Australia. Alongside us were esteemed physicians and scientists including Dr. Georgios Patoulis, the President of the International Institute of Greek Doctors and the Regional Governor of Attica, Dr. Konstantinos Pantos, the renowned scientist-pioneer of IVF, as well as Dr. Antonios Polydorou and Dr. George Antonakis. This voyage led us all to the Hellenic Diaspora World Congress (HMSA).

Amidst the stunning backdrop of Melbourne, we were delighted to have been invited to attend the Hellenic Centre from the th-th November, with participants including the esteemed Hellenic Medical Society of Australia and the Global Doctors Hippocratic Institute. There was a palpable air of excitement for our arrival, due to the generous hospitality of the Greek community led by President Vassilis Papastergiadis. Despite the substantial -hour flight from Athens to Australia, the stopover at Doha Airport in Qatar (which this year hosts soccer’s World Cupdid not dampen our spirits. This enthusiasm was affirmed and rewarded upon landing, as it was met with warm reception from the local Greek community and the vibrant energy of the city.

At the first moment of our arrival, we were all reminded of the passion and purpose behind this -stop campaign of the Global Doctors Hippocratic Institute: to transform the new generation into one that keeps our ancestors’ memory and wisdom alive. The global conference included presentations and interactive talks of academic, medical, and scientific matters, conducted by esteemed Australian and international scientists. Ultimately, the aim of these important actions and international collaborations was to make great strides towards a more harmonious future.

The University of Melbourne, Athens, and Patras united in agreement for the purpose of transforming the respective institutions into an international scientific center for the augmentation of medical schools around the world. This cooperative venture was officially proclaimed with the signing of a pact to provide guidance and educational opportunities for Greek students through embrace of Hippocratic Medical Philosophy and Ethics. Subsequently, Greece’s Secretary General of the Ministry of Health Mr. Marios Themistocleous and the President of the Hellenic Medical Association of Australia Professor Marini were both present to celebrate the momentous occasion.

At a ceremony held at the University of Melbourne Medical School, His Excellency Vassilis Papastergiadis, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, and the Consul General of Melbourne Manolis Kakavelakis, unveiled a bust of Hippocrates. This event marked the beginning of a global exchange, championed by the Global Doctors Hippocratic Institute, to foster a shared ethos based on the ‘sacred oath’ – the Hippocratic Oath. As officially announced by Dr. Patoulis and Dr. Polydoros, this initiative will take place in the summer of , with the swearing-in of students graduating from the University of Melbourne on the island of Kos.

The Doctors Hippocratic Institute, with the name of ‘Hippocratic Values and Medicine’, will be taking place in the city of Melbourne. With a population close to five million, the city is situated in the state of Victoria, being the second largest city in Australia after Sydney. Of this population, roughly a quarter consists of foreigners, with a further , reported to be of Greek origin. Serving as a modern multicultural megalopolis, this city boasts big blocks which form the business district and are crowned by various skyscrapers.

What we can learn

We are on the brink of a new era in healthcare, one where technology and collaboration will be at the forefront of medical innovation to further our quest for perfection in patient care. It is only fitting that this monumental event happened here in Melbourne, where Hippocrates’ legacy has been celebrated since the establishment of the Global Doctors Hippocratic Institute. The unveiling of the bust symbolizes our commitment to his vision of medicine and bodes well for a prosperous future, as we look towards a summer where students graduating from the University of Melbourne will swear-in on the island of Kos and follow in his footsteps. The future of patient care is indeed in good hands.