Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and University of Patras Embark on Groundbreaking Research and Teaching Collaboration Championed by John G. Rangos Sr.
The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the nation’s top ranking medical institution, and Greece’s top ranking University of Patras has embarked on a groundbreaking research and teaching collaboration. The collaborative agreement (MOU) between the two institutions was signed on April 11, 2008, at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, and was championed by Mr. John G. Rangos Sr.
This educational collaboration is the first of its kind for Johns Hopkins University in Europe and represents a great honor for Greece. It signifies Johns Hopkins Medicine’s commitment to service and sets a standard of excellence in medical education, biomedical research, and clinical care for mankind.
Over the years, leading businessman and philanthropist John G. Rangos, Sr. has invested more than $10 million in Johns Hopkins University. He has now pledged $120,000 to kick-start the first international medical/research exchange between Johns Hopkins Medicine and the University of Patras. Mr. Rangos is a member of the Johns Hopkins Medicine Board of Visitors and a long-time benefactor of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
In an interview given to the National Herald weekly publication, Mr. Rangos lauded this groundbreaking collaboration and reflected on the perpetual ideals of Hellenism and the great minds of ancient Greece.
“The most exciting part of this for me was the Greek aspect. Here you have Greece – where the oracles of Western medicine began, all the way back to the Hippocratic Oath – coming together with Johns Hopkins, a colossus of the modern medical world. I was just thrilled to see both Greek and American genius interface like that,” said John G. Rangos Sr.
Dr. Myron L. Weisfeldt, Director of Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Dr. Vassilis Koliatsos, Associate Professor of Neuropathology at Johns Hopkins, and head of the Johns Hopkins Hellenic faculty including a team of Greek doctors, recently visited Greece to meet with the University of Patras administration officials, academics and Greek government representatives in order to present the collaboration objectives. The official visit to Greece took place on October 15-16, 2008.
"This is a tremendous opportunity and great honor for John Hopkins School of Medicine to share new ideas with such an outstanding University, as that of Patras," said Dr. Weisfeldt, Director of Johns Hopkins Medicine, in a statement for Johns Hopkins. “We are expecting a fruitful and productive collaboration for Hopkins as well as for Patras."
Dr. Dimitrios Dougenis, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vice-Rector of the University of Patras, and Chairman of the Hellenic Hopkins initiative hopes that the curriculum, beyond medicine and related disciplines generally covering the fields of Bio-engineering and Bio-mechanics, will gradually expand to other scientific fields covering a wide-range of disciplines taught at the University of Patras.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) specifies six objectives comprised of an exchange of faculty, students and staff; brief visits of teaching, scientific and research staff related to specific studies and lectures; development of undergraduate and postgraduate student training; administrative staff exchanges geared to evaluation and improvement of curriculum; initiation of joint research programs in areas of mutual interest; and cooperation in cultural and athletic events. The main Scientific and Research disciplines include:
- Neurosciences and Brain Imaging
- Clinical Immunology / Allergy
- Public Health
- Bioengineering – Biomedicine
- Imaging in Cardiology (non-invasive coronary angiography, study of heart function by CTA 320/MRI)
- Research Methodology / Biostatistics
- Biological indicators and genetic approach to neuro-psychiatric diseases
“This collaboration is of particular importance for the University of Patras and for Greece. It was based upon its very good reputation and international recognition, its clinical research, teaching abilities, and the experience of its Medical School academic staff,” said Dr. Dimitrios Dougenis, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Vice Rector of the University of Patras. Adding, “The collaboration represents a great opportunity for the University of Patras scientific personnel, undergraduate and postgraduate students, to come into contact with one of the world’s top universities.”
More information at: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org and http://www.upatras.gr.
Welcome remarks by John G. Rangos Sr. on the occasion of the first official visit to Greece by Johns Hopkins Medicine. Mr. Rangos' video message was presented during special events organized by the University of Patras, held on October 15-16, 2008 in Patras and Athens.
Johns Hopkins Medical School and University of Patras Cooperation brochure
"The most exciting part of this for me was the Greek aspect. Here you have Greece – where the oracles of Western medicine began, all the way back to the Hippocratic Oath – coming together with Johns Hopkins, a colossus of the modern medical world. I was just thrilled to see both Greek and American genius interface like that."
{ John G. Rangos Sr. }