The Identity of the Hellenic College of Orthopaedic
Surgeons
The establishment of the Hellenic College of Orthopaedic Surgeons (HCOS) was undertaken to address a significant gap in the postgraduate education of physicians in our specialty. At the same time, it set an important precedent in promoting initiatives aimed at aligning educational programs with the standards and expectations of the international scientific community.
The initiative for the founding of the College undoubtedly belongs to Apostolos Kavadias (1917–1989), a noble visionary who foresaw the emerging challenges and set developments in motion at an early stage.
From the very first meeting of its founding members, the intentions of this new institution were clearly defined. The College consistently develops educational programs throughout Greece, supports their implementation, and supervises their effectiveness. It also places under its auspices specialized scientific events aligned with its objectives. Furthermore, the publication of scientific books, the development
of research programs, and the execution of scholarly projects constitute additional core pursuits of the College.
The official founding date of the HCOS is considered to be December 15, 1983, when the first Governing Committee was formed, with Professor Georgios Chartofylakidis as President, Konstantinos Giotis as Vice President, Apostolos Kavadias as Secretary General, Anastasios Giannikas as Treasurer, and Michalis Ierodiakonou as Special Secretary.
From its inception, the College established and institutionalized the conduct of annual examinations for the awarding of the “College Diploma.” According to the 1988 Regulations, “the Diploma constitutes an additional scientific and professional distinction for every Orthopaedic Surgeon who earns it.”
The science we serve continuously re-examines its principles, redefines its questions, reframes its challenges, and persistently seeks new solutions. Through this lens, lifelong learning becomes an unavoidable necessity for those who aspire to remain at the forefront of developments rather than trailing behind them. Participation in the activities of the College must therefore evolve into a way of life for today’s Orthopaedic Surgeon.
The philosophy guiding the College is rooted in the belief that visionaries of the future are steadily increasing, while nostalgics of the past are diminishing. The challenging times in which we live demand prudence, focus, and discipline—virtues that inherently characterize practitioners of the Hippocratic art. After all, when in the modern history of our country have times not been challenging?
Dr. Nikolaos G. Markeas
ΠΗΓΕΣ
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