Position: Cardiologist, Section of Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Medical Director, Mechanical Circulatory Support Program Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic
Education: Heart Failure and Transplant Fellowship: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Cardiology Fellowship: Albert Einstein Medical Center, Internal Medicine Residency: Lehigh Valley Hospital, Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Undergraduate: Saint Joseph’s University
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in the beautiful city of Paris, France, to parents who were born and raised in Agios Georgios Sikousis, Chios, Greece. Like many Greek families at that time, my father’s family immigrated to the United States and my mother’s family immigrated to France, where eventually my parent’s married. At the age of 6, my family moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where I lived until moving to Philadelphia to attend college. Lancaster is where my parents and brother still call home. Cleveland, Ohio is where I now call home.
Who or what were the main influences in your life?
My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic, unwavering values, and a belief that I could accomplish anything with hard work. There are many professors, friends, colleagues, and patients that have also touched my life, but a few shine. Dr. Susan Brozena and Dr. Mariell Jessup, two intelligent, compassionate, and successful female cardiologists have been mentors to me and who I strive to emulate. My colleague, Dr. Randall Starling, a leader in the field of heart failure has been paramount in nurturing my career. Life experiences have also impacted me, including a visit to Egypt as a medical ambassador, volunteering, and experiencing the beauty of the Greek culture and the traditions of the Orthodox faith.
Why did you become a doctor?
My father suffered a severe heart attack when I was 10 years old, which crippled him with heart failure for many years. He had countless hospitalizations for heart failure, arrhythmias, and near-death experiences. He was eventually placed on the waiting list for a heart transplant. He became too sick and needed a mechanical heart to sustain him until a transplant was available. In my last year of medical school, after a 6 month hospital stay, he received a heart transplant and has been doing well for the last 10 years. All of these experiences, along with the first-hand observation of care provided by exceptional physicians, verified my desire to enter the medical profession. My parents say that even at the age of 3, I emphatically stated I wanted to become a physician to help others – God works in mysterious ways!
As a new generation doctor, how do you evaluate the state of health care in the US?
We are fortunate to live in the United States, a world leader in health care and medical research. Despite political differences, the goal of modern-day society is to provide the best, most affordable health care to all individuals. Taking advice from our ancestors’ practice, it is crucial to practice a healthy lifestyle and promote the concept of preventative medicine. Focusing on risk factor modification with exercise, a healthy diet, and smoking cessation, we can decrease rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer, which will in turn decrease health care costs.
If you were a patient, what would the ideal doctor look to you like?
A great physician will be caring, knowledgeable, humble, empathetic, a patient-advocate who takes the time to answer questions, ease concerns, and educate. These are the reasons we entered the medical profession and thus, so important to uphold these standards.
Has your Hellenic heritage influenced your professional conduct and in what ways?
My Hellenic heritage and Greek Orthodox beliefs influence me on a daily basis. Most influential is the Hippocratic Oath: first do no harm, and allow this to be the guiding principle with each patient we encounter. There are also many wonderful examples of physicians in our Orthodox religion, such as Saint Panteleimon and Agoi Anargyroi, Saints Cosmas and Damianos, whose life stories allow us to practice medicine in a dutiful way.
As a successful American you could and perhaps have joined major organizations that are focused more on mainstream society. Why HMS?
In the medical profession, we join organizations to continue our education and foster collaboration with colleagues throughout the world. The following is the mission statement of the Hellenic Medical Society of New York: to be the bridge between our cherished heritage and future accomplishments. We are fortunate to have this exceptional Society that not only unifies Greek-American physicians in New York, but reaches across state lines and to Greece. During my medical school training, I was awarded scholarships by the Hellenic Medical Society, for which I remain grateful. As a past recipient, I have the duty to support the Society and its mission. I have traveled to Greece to speak at a cardiology conference and am honored to be involved in maintaining unity between Greece and the United States for continued medical innovation.
What qualities do you most admire or value in others?
Hard work, humility, humor, and high ethical standards are qualities I admire most. I admire my brother who embodies these, cares for family selflessly, and helped support me in my endeavors.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Leaving Greece during their teenage years, my parents immigrated with little education or resources, but with a tenacity to survive in a new country. My mother, raising two children and caring for my father, with barely a grasp of the English language, continued to persevere and instill in us the importance of an education and scholarly activities. My parents are my heroes and they continue to teach me humility, respect, patience, perseverance, and love.
Where would you like to be in your professional and personal life 20 years from now?
Professionally: continuing to provide the best possible care to patients, educating, mentoring young physicians, and being on the forefront of clinical research for advanced heart failure therapies.
Personally: to be blessed with a supportive husband, to raise a beautiful family, and to continue exploring this magnificent world.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Travelling and learning about other cultures are some of my passions. I also enjoy reading, photography, music, yoga, and cooking, with fondness of Greek specialties my parents taught me, including pastitsio, avgolemono soup, and baklava!
What is your idea of happiness?
Knowing that I made a difference in an individual’s life makes me happy, be it by caring for them and their family or listening to their stories. I am fortunate to have health, a wonderful family, caring friends, and to be a part of a wonderful profession which brings me much happiness.
