Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Neptune New Jersey and grew up in Freehold New jersey which was during those years, a blue collar town in which we owned the local American Diner “Tony’s Freehold Grille”. I was the third child of Greek immigrants and taught to value education and pursue excellence while maintaining respect for our peers.
Who or what were the main influences in your life?
A person most influential in my life was my mother and her very strong Christian beliefs. She constantly put others before herself and instilled her values in us. She dreamed of becoming a physician which was very difficult as an immigrant. She was proud of her parenting of her sons as her greatest accomplishment.
Why did you become a doctor?
I was always intrigued by the human body and its ability to heal itself as well as our capacity to alter disease process through medicines or procedures. From an early age, I enjoyed the scientific method and thought that a medical career offered the best opportunity to pursue both interests. I volunteered on the local rescue squad to test my endurance in the medical field and found that all those years paid off through learning to deal with a variety of patrons with respect and compassion while serving their needs. Overall, this career fulfills my body and soul.
As a new generation doctor, how do you evaluate the state of health care in the US?
The US has the most advanced health care system in the world with most if not all innovation arising from here. However, the cost of health care has spiraled out of control and the physicians have been greatest negative impacted by the latest proposed reforms without adequate discussion. Measures to control cost such as Tort reform and pursuit of fraud should be top priorities while improved quality and access have not been adequately promoted. Overall, despite challenges, I still remain optimistic and anticipate a healthy discussion among all parties.
If you were a patient, what would the ideal doctor look to you like?
My ideal physician is knowledgeable, personable and my advocate for me in the overall health care system. A Greek American physician would add an extra dimension to our interaction and would help him understand my unique diseases (ie eating liver soup at 1 am after Easter may contribute to cholesterol and gastric problems…).
Has your Hellenic heritage influenced your professional conduct and in what ways?
My Greek heritage has also been a driving force for excellence in my life, both personally and professionally. I believe our heritage can be manifested in modern life through our drive to excel professionally and in American society while promoting our traditions for our youth. In my field of Cardiology, there are noted Greek experts which have become my role models and helped focus my career. I believe that our minority status as a European immigrant has driven us (the Diaspora) to excel in the American landscape.
As a successful American you could and perhaps have joined major organizations that are focused more on mainstream society. Why HMS?
I have been part of the Hellenic Medical Society in each of the areas I have trained and worked. Similar to the Orthodox Church for some, I have sought out other Greek American organizations for acceptance and sense of belonging. I am strongly committed to promoting the youth of our society in health care careers with both financial and referral support to encourage a stronger Greek Presence. In the HMS Philadelphia, we use the pillars of “Fellowship, Scholarship, and Philanthropy” as the driving force of our medical society and in every endeavor we pursue.
What qualities do you most admire or value in others?
My parents were focused on interpersonal interactions and valued mutual respect very highly as I still do. I believe in our fast paced society the ability to adapt and re-invent oneself is valuable. Lastly, I believe true altruism is missing in modern society and should be cherished when observed.
Who are your heroes in real life?
I would consider individuals of great moral character to be my heroes: Nelson Mandela who fought social injustice for 20 years with non-violence and prevailed. People who face adversity and respond with greatness: Stephen Hawkins, Phd. Medical breakthroughs which affect millions: Georgios Papanikolaou, MD.
Where would you like to be in your professional and personal life 20 years from now?
Professionally, I would envision myself as chief of an academic cardiology division of a major teaching university hospital. This would entail publishing several papers per year and contributing to medical science. Personally, I envision 20 more years with a wonderful person, Katherine Dedes Iliadis, and hopefully relishing the successes of our children and their families.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Our family enjoys our beach home in Bethany Beach, Delaware, both summer and off season. I pursue golf and tennis as much as possible.
What is your idea of happiness?
Happiness is loving the person you are or are becoming. Happiness is making the people around you succeed and improve their lives.
