President’s Message
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It is with great pleasure and a strong sense of responsibility that I assume the position of President of the Hellenic Association of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (HAOST) for the year 2026.
I would like to sincerely thank you for this honour. On behalf of the newly elected Board of Directors, I wish you and your families good health, the fulfillment of your personal and professional aspirations, and a peaceful and prosperous 2026.
HAOST has followed a long and distinguished path in serving Orthopaedics and Traumatology in our country. The history of our Association is not merely a point of reference; it constitutes the cornerstone and guiding compass for the future of modern Greek Orthopaedics.
Following in the footsteps of our predecessors, we will continue to serve with consistency and responsibility our scientific, educational and institutional mission, while further strengthening our relationship with society. A central pillar of our activities remains the education of residents, as well as the continuing professional development of young certified orthopaedic surgeons. A landmark educational milestone will be the hosting of the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EBOT) examinations in the Greek language, which will be conducted for the first time in our country in November 2026 in Athens. Special emphasis will once again be placed on educational initiatives, including the
comprehensive Orthopaedic Review Course, specialized educational programs delivered both live and online, and participation in hands-on surgical training activities.
At the same time, HAOST will continue to provide tangible support to young colleagues through scholarships and educational fellowships abroad, promoting scientific dialogue, collaboration and continuous professional advancement. We encourage our younger colleagues to actively participate and contribute, making our Association even stronger.
The highlight of our annual activities will be our Annual Congress. The 82nd Panhellenic Congress of HAOST will take place from October 14 to 17, 2026, at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron Mousikis). The Congress aspires to serve as a meeting point for the Greek and international orthopaedic community, showcasing contemporary and innovative topics, including artificial intelligence, robotic technologies, personalized arthroplasty, regenerative therapies, emerging perspectives in spine surgery, management of surgical complications, and the holistic treatment of fractures, among others.
We will continue to strengthen our connection with Greek orthopaedic surgeons of the diaspora, as well as with internationally distinguished scientists whose work inspires us with pride.
With firm belief in the value of scientific excellence, innovation, and above all constructive dialogue among our members, we move forward into the new year with the vision of a HAOST that is open, modern, supportive, and meaningfully responsive to the needs of the orthopaedic community and society as a whole.
I wish you all a creative and productive year.
With sincere regards,
Efstathios Th. Chronopoulos
Professor of Orthopaedics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
President, HAOST 2026
