October 27, 2008

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Delegation Concludes First Official Visit to Greece

University of Patras Embarks on Groundbreaking Research and Teaching Collaboration with Johns Hopkins

October 27, 2008 – The University of Patras recently announced the validation of its educational and research collaboration with John Hopkins University School of Medicine. The collaborative Agreement (MOU) between the two institutions was officially signed on April 11, 2008, in Baltimore, MD. An official visit to Greece by the Johns Hopkins Hellenic doctors delegation with Dr. Myron L. Weisfeldt, Director of Johns Hopkins Medicine, took place on October 15-16, 2008.

Dr. Weisfeldt, head of the delegation and Dr. Vassilis Koliatsos, head of the Hellenic faculty at Johns Hopkins, along with a team of Greek doctors met with University of Patras Rector, Professor Stavros Koubias, and visited the University Hospital in order to meet with its scientific personnel and view the existing infrastructure. On October 15, 2008, a reception ceremony was held at the Great University Hall where goals and aims of the collaboration were presented to government representatives and local authorities.

The General Secretary of the Regional Authority of Western Greece, Mr. Spiridinos addressed the audience. A special video message by leading Greek-American businessman and philanthropist John G. Rangos, Sr., responsible for championing the University educational collaboration, was also presented. The meeting also determined the basis for an efficient scientific and pioneering collaboration in the fields of health and related scientific fields. In honour of the Johns Hopkins delegation, a music concert associated with traditional dancing performed by students was held at the University conference and cultural centre.

"This is a tremendous opportunity and great honour for John Hopkins School of Medicine to share new ideas with such an outstanding University, as that of Patras," said Dr. Myron L. Weisfeldt, Director of Johns Hopkins Medicine. “…We are expecting a fruitful and productive collaboration for Hopkins as well as for Patras."

On October 16, 2008, the collaboration initiative between the two Universities was presented in Athens to educational, research and political authorities at a special presentation ceremony scheduled at the Kostis Palamas Hall cultural centre of the University of Athens.

The ceremony included brief talks by Dr. Stavros Koubias, University of Patras Rector; Dr. Dimitrios Dougenis, Vice Rector and Chairman of the Hellenic Johns Hopkins Initiative; Dr. Charalambos Gogos, Vice Dean, Medical School, University of Patras, Dr. Koliatsos on behalf of the Johns Hopkins-University of Patras committee, and Dr. Myron L. Weisfeldt of Johns Hopkins Medicine, who also introduced a video greeting by John G. Rangos, Sr., a member of the Johns Hopkins Medicine Board of Visitors and a longtime benefactor of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Greece’s Vice Minister of National Education and Religious Affairs Mr. Spyros Taliadouros also addressed the audience and greetings by Minister of Health and Social Solidarity Dimitris Avramopoulos were read. Also present were Greek Parliament Members Natasa Ragiou and Nick Papadimatos who also addressed the audience. Other rectors and vice rectors were in attendance and made brief remarks.

The University of Patras expresses its great pleasure to have hosted Dr. Weisfeldt and the delegation of Greek doctors and gratefully acknowledges Mr. John G. Rangos Sr. and his pioneering vision and kind help in this first-ever educational collaboration for Johns Hopkins Medicine and Greece. We hope that the curriculum, which beyond Medicine and related disciplines generally covers the fields of Bioengineering and Biomechanics, 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 included in the Agreement are:

1. Neurosciences and Brain Imaging
2. Clinical Immunology / Allergy
3. Public Health
4. Bioengineering – Biomedicine
5. Imaging in Cardiology (non invasive coronary angiography, study of heart function by CTA 320/MRI)
6. Research Methodology / Biostatistics
7. Biological indicators and genetic approach to neuropsychiatric diseases

This collaboration, of particular importance for the University of Patras and for Greece, was based upon its very good reputation and international recognition, its clinical research, teaching abilities and experience of its Medical School academic staff. The collaboration represents a great opportunity for University of Patras scientific personnel and undergraduate and postgraduate students to come into contact with one of the world’s top universities.

Beyond the relevant Ministries of Education, Health and Development, the University of Patras appeals to all those in the corporate and philanthropic world who could contribute to the success of this cooperation. Our main goal has always been the promotion and improvement of fundamental and advanced research in Health Sciences, as well as constantly upgrading the Health Services offered to patients in Western Greece and the Peloponnese in Greece. More information at http://www.upatras.gr/index/events/type/event/id/177.

On behalf of the University of Patras,

Dimitrios Dougenis
Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Vice-Rector