In a splendid and moving ceremony held in the sacred grounds of the Asclepieion of Kos — the birthplace of Medicine and homeland of Hippocrates — the oath-taking ceremony of distinguished medical graduates from Greek and international medical schools took place as part of the Hippocratic Week (Hippocratic School, Symposium, and Oath Ceremony). The event, attended by leading institutional, scientific, and academic figures, highlighted the timeless connection between modern medical science and the values and principles of Hippocratic philosophy, reminding all that ethics, knowledge, and devotion to humanity remain at the core of the medical profession.
The ceremony was organized by the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, the Municipality of Kos, the Athens Medical Association, and the Kos Medical Association, under the auspices of the Presidency of the Hellenic Republic, with Aegean Airlines serving as the Official Air Transport Sponsor. For the first time, the rendering of the Hippocratic Oath at the Asclepieion of Kos was broadcast live worldwide, following permission granted by the Ephorate of Antiquities, which, as every year, supported the event.
This year’s Hippocratic Week and Hippocratic School, with activities held in Athens, Larissa, and Kos, brought together forty students and professors from fifteen medical schools across Greece, the United States, Argentina, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Austria, Oman, Tunisia, Cyprus, and India — a testament to the international resonance of the institution. The Hippocratic School operated under the auspices of the Medical Schools of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, chaired by Professor N. Arkadopoulos, and the University of Thessaly, represented by Mr. A. Zimbis, with a structured educational program implemented within their respective universities.
Dr. George Patoulis, President of the Athens Medical Association and the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, expressed his profound honor and emotion at participating in the oath ceremony of distinguished graduates at the Asclepieion of Kos, emphasizing that “this ceremony is a hymn to excellence, knowledge, and ethics — values established by Hippocrates that continue to guide modern medicine.”
Dr. Patoulis further stated that the institution, which the Athens Medical Association has supported since 2011, plays a decisive role in promoting the Hippocratic Ideal and medical excellence internationally, pledging to continue advancing the legacy and work of Hippocrates for future generations of physicians.
The Hippocratic Week continued with a two-day scientific symposium at the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, attended by Deans of Medical Schools from Greece, the United States, and the United Kingdom, two members of the Academy of Athens, as well as numerous internationally acclaimed speakers.
Greetings during the ceremony were extended by the Mayor of Kos, Mr. Theodosis Nikitaras, and the former President of the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, Professor Stefanos Geroulanos. The Master of Ceremonies was the President of the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mr. Nikolaos Papantoniou, who stated, among other things, that the Hippocratic Week serves as a “passport” of extroversion and recognition for the dissemination of Hippocratic Ideas across the globe. It is completed each year here in Kos, the birthplace of the Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, reminding us that medicine, beyond being a science, is a torch of ethics, philosophy, humanity, and deontology.
This year’s participation was greater than ever before — both in the number of physicians taking the Oath at the Asclepieion and in the number of participants from Greek and foreign universities. The live enactment of the Oath’s recitation constituted a global event destined to reach the ends of the earth as a universal message. The rendering of the Hippocratic Oath took place in ancient Greek by Mr. Minas Chatziantoniou, while an English rendering was performed by Ms. Victoria Polydorou, Lecturer at the European University Cyprus.
Earlier that same day, the conference proceedings on the Hippocratic Week were held, during which distinguished students from international universities attended significant lectures delivered by members of the Greek scientific and academic community. Greetings were extended by His Eminence, Metropolitan Nathanael of Kos and Nisyros; Member of Parliament for the Dodecanese (PASOK–KINAL), Mr. G. Nikitiadis; the Prefect of Kos, Ms. K. Svynou, representing the Regional Governor of South Aegean, Mr. G. Hatzimarkos; the Mayor of Kos, Mr. Th. Nikitaras; the President of the Athens Medical Association and President of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, Mr. G. Patoulis; the President of the Kos Medical Association, Ms. K. Gavala; the President of the Kalymnos Medical Association, Mr. G. Apostolatos; the Rector of the Agricultural University of Athens, Mr. S. Kintzios; and the Honorable Imam of Kos, Mr. I. Trampa.
Messages were also sent by Members of Parliament for the Dodecanese, Mr. V. Ypsilantis and Mr. E. Konsolas (New Democracy), by the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mr. G. Siasos, as well as by Presidents of Greek Medical Associations from New York, Boston, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Cyprus, and Germany.
In attendance were members of the Board of Directors of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, including Vice Presidents Mr. K. Pantos and Mr. K. Kouskoukis, Secretary General Mr. A. Polydorou, and from the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, President Mr. N. Papantoniou, Vice Presidents Mr. S. Geroulanos and Mr. N. Manousis, Secretary General Mr. G. Tallaros — who presented the history of the Oath’s rendering at the Asclepieion of Kos — and Treasurer Mr. F. Kalloudis.
Also present were academics and deans of medical schools from Greece and abroad, presidents of Greek medical associations, presidents of Greek and Cypriot diaspora medical associations, professors, and representatives from Manchester, Birmingham, Cyprus, Argentina, the United States, and other parts of the world.
The Hippocratic Week concluded with a commemorative race in honor of Hippocrates, organized in cooperation with Special Olympics, the Hellenic Red Cross, the Athens Medical Association, the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, the Hellenic Health Tourism Council, the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, and the primary schools of Kos.
