Dr. G. Vissarakis, ΜD
Doctor in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Medical Director
CARRER SUMMARY
Fifteen years of experience in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, working in leading position as Medical Director in the biggest and most specialized centers in Greece. A broad spectrum of experience in the field of Medical Rehabilitation from Sports & Exercise medicine, Champions League level football team, to Spinal cord injuries and neurological degenerative conditions. Highly motivated, confident individual with exceptional multi-tasking and organizational skills. Able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and relatives. Able to maximize the rehabilitation of patients and to ensure understanding of often complex clinical issues impacting recovery. Excellent client facing skills coupled with the ability to work closely with other health care professionals to assess patients’ needs and devise suitable treatment plans for them.
Able to successfully lead a multidisciplinary team of rehabilitation professionals under quality management systems and high impact recovery protocols.
Ready and qualified for the next stage in a successful career and looking forward to making a significant contribution as a leading clinician in a multidisciplinary environment.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, Stroke management, Spinal Cord Injuries,
- Sports Medicine
- Neurodegenerative conditions, Multiple Sclerosis,
- EMG (electromyography), NCS (nerve conduction studies)
- Peripheral joint injections, Trigger point injections,
- Interventional spinal therapeutics
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Botulinum Toxin and Spasticity clinic, Regenerative therapies (PRP, Stem cells), electromyography, pain management, ozone therapy
- Multidisciplinary team organisation, Quality Management Systems planning and monitoring.
QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION
2003 Greek Board Certification
Specialist in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Full registration
2002 Master of Science in Sports and Exercise Medicine University Of London, University College London (UCL) Dynamic Electromyography of the Deltoideus Muscle
1994 Degree in Medicine & Surgery Dimocritus University, Thrace, Greece
TRAINING IN REHABILITATION MEDICINE
Feb.02-May.03 Research Registrar in Spinal Injuries (15 Months) National Spinal Injuries Centre
Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Feb.01-Feb.02 Senior House Officer in Spinal Injuries (1 year) National Spinal Injuries Centre
Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Aug.00-Feb.01 Senior House Officer in Rehabilitation Medicine
(6 months) The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust Rehabilitation Department
Aug.99-Aug.00 Senior House Officer in Rehabilitation Medicine
(1 year) Defence Services Medical Rehabilitation Centre (D.S.M.R.C.) Headley Court, Epsom Surrey
Feb.99-Aug.99 Senior House Officer in Rehabilitation Medicine (6 months) Southern General Hospital NHS Trust
Physically Disabled Rehabilitation Unit (P.D.R.U.)
Aug.98-Feb.99 Rotating Trainee in Orthopaedics
(6 months) “A. Fleming” District General Hospital
Department of Orthopaedics
Nov.97-Jul.98 Rotating Trainee in Neurology
(8 months) “K.A.T.” General and Accident Hospital
Department of Neurology
Feb.97-Oct.97 Rotating Trainee in Internal Medicine
(8 months) “Sotiria” General and Chest Diseases Hospital
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Unit
GENERAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Oct.95-Feb.97 Trainee in Accident and Emergency Medicine (16 months) Health Centre “Astros Kynouria”
Department of Accident & Emergency
Apr. 94-Oct. 95 Trainee in General Medicine
(18 months) Military Hospital, Rhode Island, Greece
National Service – Infantry Medical District
Apr. 93-Apr. 94 Medical Practice - HO equivalent
(12 months) University of Thrace Hospital. Rotating through:
Internal Medicine (3 months), General Surgery (3 months) Pediatrics (3 months), Orthopaedics (1.5 months) Obstetrics & Gynaecology (1.5 months)
CAREER SUMMARY
Research Registrar in Spinal Injuries at the N.S.I.C. Stoke Mandeville Hospital. After completing my rotation as full time resident in the Stoke Mandeville National Spinal Injury Centre, I continued working as a clinical research registrar. My research focused on the effects of cannabinoids on spasticity in spinal cord injury patients. During the same period and under the supervision of Dr. Brian Andrews, I explored the effects of Functional Electrical stimulation – FES assisted rowing training on the lipid profile in patients with spinal cord injuries.
S.H.O. in Spinal Injuries at the N.S.I.C. Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Stoke Mandeville National Spinal Injury Centre is world-wide recognized for the high quality and innovative approach of spinal injuries. Part of my duties was the examination and initial treatment of patients with chronic or acute spinal cord injuries, attendance of the urodynamics sessions and operating theatre when required and assisting in the check-up and treatment plan of outpatients. There was also a strong emphasis in clinical education and research.
S.H.O. in Rehabilitation Medicine at the R.N.O.H. Trust. This post offered me experience in a wide range of soft tissue rheumatological, orthopaedic disorders, and obscure disabling disorders. There was a 16-care bed facility for intensive inpatient rehabilitation. Special interest of the Unit was back pain, particularly the problematic cases, chronic knee pain and peripheral nerve disorders, including causalgia, pain after avulsion injuries to the brachial plexus and Sudeck’s dystrophy as well as complex orthopaedic and neurological conditions.
S.H.O. in Rehabilitation Medicine at the RAF Rehabilitation Centre. The largest rehabilitation unit in the U.K., with 170 beds, specializing in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. There was also an active 20-bedded Neuro-Rehabilitation unit, which has an international reputation for its highly structured and innovative approach to traumatic brain injury. As part of my duties I was also attending the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic both at the Centre as well at the Guys & St. Thomas’s Hospital.
S.H.O. in Rehabilitation Medicine at the Southern General Hospital. The Physically Disabled Rehabilitation Unit was a 30 bedded unit, providing short-term intensive assessment and rehabilitation for adults with neurological illnesses, injuries and disorders. When on call, I was covering admissions at the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injury Unit.
Rotation through Orthopaedics at “A. FLEMING” Hospital. The Orthopaedics Department was a 20-bed unit, providing comprehensive service in both acute and selective orthopaedic cases. I attended in theatre sessions twice a week as 1st or 2nd assistant in a wide variety of cases including total hip & knee replacement, and unassisted in numerous smaller operations.
Rotation through Neurology at “KAT” Hospital. The Neurology Department is a 20-bed unit covering all Neurological admissions for southern Greece. I was responsible for the day-to-day care of patients on the wards and also worked in coοperation with the Neurosurgical team managing patients in the Stroke Unit.
Rotation through Internal Medicine at “Sotiria” Teaching Hospital. The Department consists of a 40-bed unit with an Intensive Care Unit of 10 beds and a Respiratory Rehabilitation Department. During my rotation I was responsible for the day-to-day care of the inpatients presenting Respiratory and Intensive Care cases. I regularly presented cases in the monthly medical audit meetings.
General Training in Accident & Emergency at Health Centre “Astros”. This Centre is situated in a suburban area and provides full Accident and Emergency, Medical, Surgical and Orthopaedic care in adults and children. The duties of the post included primary and inpatient care within the Hospital and also provided primary care at incident sites.
INDICATIVE SEMINARS CONFERENCES COURSES
2015 9th World Congress of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
Berlin, Germany
2015: 4th International Conference and Exhibition on Cell & Gene Therapy Chairing at Preconference Workshop
Athens, Greece
2014: XXII International Conference on Sports Rehabilitation & Traumatology Football Medicine Strategies,
Milan, Italy
2014: PRP & Regenerative Medicine Symposium TOBI Orthobiologic Institutes
Las Vegas, Nevada
2014: Masterclass in the Anatomy of Ultrasound Guided Intramuscular Injecting Royal Liverpool Hospital
Liverpool, United Kingdom
2014: IV Word Congress on Oxygen Ozone Therapy Scientific Oxygen Ozone Therapy Association
Roma, Italy
2013: Workshop in High Intensity Laser Therapy ASALaser
Florence, Italy
2012: Health Management, Interdisciplinary Team Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
London, Great Britain
2011: 6th Word Congress of the International Society of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine International Society of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine
San Juan, Puerto Rico
2011: Conservative Spinal Decompression Therapies SpineMed Therapy Association
Baltimore, USA
2010: Core Stability, Swiss Ball Exercise Protocols The Theraband Academy
London, United Kingdom
Prof. Serafeim Nanas, MD
Internist, Intensivist
Director of High Dependency Unit
Professor at Medical School of National & Kapodestrial University of Athens
Oct 2011 – present Professor (Full)
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Division of Intensive Care I
Athens, Greece
Nov 2009 – Nov 2011 Chairman
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Division of Intensive Care I
Athens, Greece
Jan 1996 – present Laboratory Head
Evgenidio Hospital, Ergospirometry and Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
Athens, Greece
Jan 1984 – Oct 1993 Director in ICU
ALEXANDRA General Hospital, Departement of Clinical Therapeutics
Athens, Greece
Oct 2008 Award: Award clinical research – ESICM - Stoutenbeek Award 2008
Main research and educational interests are:Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation after Intensive Care, Clinical Ergospirometry, Rehabilitation of Post intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) , Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, heart failure, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and rehabilitation in CHF patients,Pathophysiology of sepsis and microcirculation, NIRS-VOT, infections, sedation in ICU, and polyneuromyopathy of critically ill patients early mobilization and post ICU rehabilitation.
Experience
- Professor
Medical School of National & Kapodestrial University of Athens
October 2011 – Present (6 years 7 months) - Professor of Critical Care Medicine,
ICU Medical, rehabilitation after ICU, PIC syndrome, ICUaW, Dysphagia, exercise, clinical ergospri
April 1986 – Present (32 years 1 month)
Education
- McGill University
Critical Care Medicine, Intensive Care
1989 – 1991 - Northwestern University
Clinical Epidemiology & Preventive Cardiology
1979 – 1982
Rehabilitation Programme, Cardiovascular Risks Factors, Suden Death - High school First Gymnasio Larissis, Greece
Premedical School Education
1966 – 1971
Volunteer Experience & Causes
- Organizing Medical centers in Ouganta and North Tanzania, Viziting as Physician since 1999.
ΚΕΔΑΣ: Κέντρο Διεθνούς Αλληλεγγύης & Συνεργασίας " Οι Αγιοι Ανάργυροι Κοσμάς & Δαμιανός"
Health - Ιδρυτικό Μέλος, Πρώτος Προεδρος
Helenic Society of Clinical Ergaspirometry, Exercise & Rehabilitation, ΕΛΕΕΡΓΑ
2008Education
Σκοπός της Εταιρείας να προάγει την εκπαίδευση στην Αποκατάσταση.
Η διεπιστημονική προσέγγιση της αποκατάστασης ως μια απολύτως αναγκαια προυπόθεση για την ανάπτυξη των προγραμμάτων αποκατάστασης.
Η εκπαίδευση στην πρόληψη και αντιμετώπιση του συνδρόμου μετα νοσηλεία στην ΜΕθ (POst Intensive Care Syndrome PICS).
Causes Serafeim cares about:
- Education
- Health
- Disaster and Humanitarian Relief
- Science and Technology
- Social Services
Skills
- Clinical Research
- ICU
- Hospitals
- Critical Care Medicine
- Laboratory
- Research
- Teaching
- Education
- Public Speaking
- Microsoft Office
- Critical Care Medicine, Exercise Science, Mechanical Ventilation, Intensive Care
- Leadership
- English
- Rehabilitation
- Cardiopulmary Rehabilitation
Certifications
- Clinical Epidemiology
Northwestern University Medical School Chicago
April 1982 – Present
Athanasia Liozidou
BPsych, MPsych, MPHs
Athanasia Liozidou earned her 4 years Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. In 2012, she obtained her 3 years Postgraduate Degree in Clinical Neuropsychology (joint program of Athens Medical School and the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, USA). In 2015 she was admitted to the Postgraduate Program for Public Health of the National School of Public Health of Greece.
She has been trained at the 1st Psychiatry Dpt and the 1st Neurology Dpt of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) (Aeginitio Hospital-Greece) at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Memorial Hermann Hospital, Texas Medical Center in Houston (USA) at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston (USA), at the Cognitive Neuroscience Unit of McGill Neurological Institute and Hospital in Montreal (Canada), at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore (USA) and at the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the National School of Public Health of Athens.
She is a researcher and has clinical and academic appointments with various Institutions and Units in Greece. She is a Founding Member and the Secretary General of the Hellenic Neuropsychological Society (2015-present), a Regular Member of the Association of Greek Psychologists and a Regular Member of the International Neuropsychological Society.
Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Chief of Therapeutic Dpts
Efthymia Vagena has born in Nicosia, Cyprus at 1979. She had her bachelor degree in Exercise Science with specialization in Health and Diseases, in Athens University. In 2006 she completed her graduated studies in Boston (Northeastern University), USA on Clinical Exercise Physiology with Specialization in Rehabilitation.
Since 2006 she is working at Filoktitis Rehabilitation Hospital, in Athens, Greece as a Head of Aquatic Therapy Department. In 2011 she became Assistant Lecturer in International Aquatic Therapy Faculty in Water Specific therapy.
She is a Certified Pool Operator from NSPF (2010) and on 2015 became CPO Tutor with Swimming Teaching Association (UK).
In 2015 she was promoted as a Deputy Coordinator of Therapeutic Program at Filoktitis. She is now a PhD student in Athens Medical School in Aquatic Therapy.
Panagiotis Vorniotakis
Physician
Panagiotis C. Borniotakis graduated from Sofia University of Medicine, Bulgaria. He continued his education in Athens, where he specialized in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He has continuous clinical experience in orthopedic, neurological, geriatric and cardiology-cardiac surgery rehabilitation.
He works as a private physician, and he is a member of the Hellenic Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He has participated in numerous conferences, seminars on research and clinical practice.
He is a member of the medical team of the FILOKTITIS since April 2022.
Kosmas Mpotsas
Pathologist
Kosmas Botsas is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of L'Aquila (Università degli Studi dell'Aquila - Dipartimento di Medicina clinica), Italy. He continued his practical training at the San Salvatore Hospital Center in L'Aquila, Italy and completed his specialization as an Internist at the General Hospital "EVANGELISMOS" with additional practice in the following departments within the framework of the specialty: Intensive Care Unit of LAIKO Hospital, Diabetes clinic and obesity clinic at the 2nd Internist Clinic in KONSTANTOPOULIO, Cardiology clinic and Heart Attack Unit of the General Hospital "EVANGELISMOS", General Clinic "Piraiko Hospital S.A." as a full-time physician.
He holds a Diploma in Cardiometabolic Medicine and has been trained in Specialized Life Support (eACLS) by the Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the Medical School of the National Kapodistrian University of Athens.
He works as a private physician while he is the Scientific Head of the Internist Department of the WEST ATHENS private clinic, Scientific partner of the private clinic of the group of MEDICAL CENTER ATHENS, N. Psychiko, and of MEDISYSTEM Interamerican.
He has participated in a wide range of continuing postgraduate education events (seminars, conferences, workshops etc.) both in Greece and abroad.
Christina Kontogiorgou
Manager of Nursing Department
Christina Kontogiorgou is a specialist nurse with extensive experience in the management of critically ill patients and emergencies. She is a graduate of the School of Nursing Officers (SAN). She received her specialty in Surgical Nursing at the General Hospital EVAGGELISMOS while continuing her specialization and clinical training as a Trauma Nurse at the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems in Maryland, USA. She completed her specialization by receiving her Officer's Degree from the Air Force War School. He has extensive experience in training and developing training programs as well as in quality control nursing systems.
She has worked as Director of Nursing Services at the Institute of Neuroscience Kolkata in India, as Head of Training of the Marine Survival Training School (SETHE), as Head of the Air Force Medical Training Center, as Head of the 251 General Hospital of Aviation of Emergency Department Nursing Service and as the Head of the 251 General Hospital of Aviation ICU Nursing Service.
Her clinical interests are the nursing rehabilitation management of patients and critically ill patients coming from the Intensive Care Unit.