Where were you born and where did you grow up?
Like many first generation Hellenic-Americans in New York City, I was born and raised in Astoria, NY, where I was immersed in our rich Hellenic culture. As a teenager, my educational pursuits afforded me the opportunity to explore new places. At the age of 13, I attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan. Then at the age of 16, I left home to go to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. During this time, I developed friendships with individuals of different ethnicities through whom I was able to learn about and appreciate various cultures.
Who or what were the main influences in your life?
There are many teachers, professors, and medical attending physicians who have helped guide me to where I am today. Undoubtedly, the greatest influence in my life came from my parents. It may sound cliché but they instilled in me a strong work ethic and the belief that I could achieve anything if I worked hard enough. I am still impressed with how they were able to make a better life for our family, especially since they came to this country with so very little.
Why did you become a doctor?
When I was a young boy, I had my appendix removed. This initial exposure to doctors piqued my curiosity as to how doctors did what they did and so I wanted to learn more. I also wanted to help people as I had been helped myself. During my education, I always was very interested and excelled at the sciences. I found that I could best apply my scientific knowledge and skill to the assistance of others in the field of medicine. To be honest, the first year of medical school was very trying for me and I started to question my career choice. However, once I began to experience patient care activities, I truly believed that the practice of medicine was my life's calling.
As a new generation doctor, how do you evaluate the state of health care in the US?
The United States is the world leader in health care and medical research. People from all over the world come to the US seeking medical care which is not available in their own country. I am not talking only about cutting edge procedures. In my field, I have seen patients leave their country and come to the US in order to receive life-sustaining hemodialysis which has been available here for over 50 years. The health care industry currently is in a major state of flux. The doctor-patient relationship has been undermined to a “provider-consumer” one. With this mentality, doctors and patients are being subjected to interference from outside entities such as insurance companies. Unfortunately, the effect is that physicians are losing their ability to make decisions that they feel are medically appropriate resulting in diminished quality of care for patients. The practice of medicine is being transformed from art into algorithms. I am hoping that this trend comes to an end before our health care system becomes one of mediocrity.
If you were a patient, what would the ideal doctor look to you like?
I believe the most important quality the ideal doctor should have is compassion. A compassionate doctor will treat you like you were a member of his/her family. The ideal doctor will clearly explain to patients about their illness, its treatment, and its prognosis. The ideal doctor would demonstrate patience and answer all questions posed by the patient and the patient's family. This level of concern diminishes the possibility of errors resulting from carelessness. If there is a poor prognosis or a bad outcome, he or she can console the patient and the patient's family. The ideal doctor will have a strong base of medical knowledge and also keep up with the medical literature. I strive to provide this level of care in my daily practice.
Has your Hellenic heritage influenced your professional conduct and in what ways?
I am very fortunate to be of Hellenic descent since the basic rules of conduct of my profession were laid out by a Hellene, Hippocrates. It is amazing that despite the advances in technology and understanding of medicine over the past 2000 plus years, most of the principles of the Hippocratic Oath remain very relevant today. One example is the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality. Additionally, the most fundamental doctrine is to work solely for the benefit of my patients, which is of utmost relevance in these times.
As a successful American you could and perhaps have joined major organizations that are focused more on mainstream society. Why HMS?
The Hellenic Medical Society offers the chance for me to associate with other physicians with whom I share a similar heritage. This affords the opportunity for me to learn from and about prominent Hellenic physicians, both past and present, through lectures and symposia, such as the annual Papanicolau Symposium. I also appreciate the opportunity to partake in many Hellenic cultural events which are sponsored by the Hellenic Medical Society, sometimes in association with other Hellenic professional societies.
What qualities do you most admire or value in others?
Perhaps the most important quality I value in others is honesty. The truth is sometimes very difficult to tell and not always what other people want to hear. However, I believe that telling the truth in such situations will breed trust. Trust is paramount in maintaining all types of relationships, including the doctor-patient relationship. I also admire people who demonstrate motivation in their profession. Seeing that type of energy motivates me even more.
Who are your heroes in real life?
There are plenty of people in the world, most unknown to me, who have sacrificed of themselves for the benefit of others. To me, that is what defines a hero. Unfortunately, most of these people do not get the publicity or recognition that they deserve. If I had to choose one well-known person to name as a hero though, it would be Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. He has struggled to maintain the Orthodox Church in Constantinople despite the harassment, oppression and dangers he faces there. He has been a champion of peace, especially between religions. He is famously quoted as saying, “war in the name of religion is war against religion.” Additionally, he has been called “the Green Patriarch” based on his commitment to help preserve the environment.
Where would you like to be in your professional and personal life 20 years from now?
I would like to continue to advance in my professional rank and be able to assist many more patients over the next 20 years. I will also seek to become more of a proponent for my patients especially at the political level. I would also like to play more of a role in organizations I care about such as the Hellenic Medical Society. As far as my personal life in 20 years, I’d like to continue to strengthen the great friendships I currently have and to develop new ones. Last but not least, I hope to be blessed with a loving, caring, and supportive wife who will be my partner in life and in raising a healthy and happy family.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
In the past few years, I have become much more active with various Hellenic groups such as the Hellenic Medical Society of New York, the New Jersey Hellenic Health Professionals Association, the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Section, and the New York City Greek Film Festival. I also like to stay physically active with regular exercise and sports whenever the opportunity arises. Religion has also become a bigger part of my life and I attend Church services and programs regularly. I enjoy Hellenic music and dancing as well. Perhaps one thing that few people know about me is my passion for alternative/independent rock music.
What is your idea of happiness?
Simply stated, happiness is the ability to enjoy time spent with loved ones.
