From Kos to Canada: CHMS Celebrates First Hippocratic Week – Recap
The Canadian Hellenic Medical Society proudly brought the international celebration of Hippocratic Week to Canada for the very first time, joining Greece in honouring the legacy of Hippocrates—the father of medicine. Through a combination of academic programming and community engagement, CHMS showcased its commitment to promoting medical ethics, Hellenic heritage, and professional collaboration.
Honouring Hippocratic Ideals in Modern Medicine
Online Presentation by Dr. Nikos Kastanos
As part of Hippocratic Week, CHMS hosted a virtual keynote lecture titled “The Art of Healing: Hippocratic Values in a High-Tech World”, delivered by Dr. Nikos Kastanos, founder and President of the Hippocratic Movement based in Greece.
Dr. Kastanos explored the relevance of Hippocratic philosophy in modern medicine, emphasizing that true healing extends beyond clinical treatment to include compassion, integrity, trust, and moral responsibility. He highlighted the timeless distinction between “treating disease” and “healing the human being,” a core teaching of the Hippocratic tradition.
A full recording of Dr. Kastanos’ presentation is available exclusively to CHMS members in the Member Dashboard.
Successful In-Person Celebration: Hippocratic Week Social
To complement the academic event, CHMS hosted its inaugural in-person Hippocratic Week Social, at Toronto’s Danforth, on Thursday night, which brought together over 30 members for an evening of connection and shared purpose.
The evening opened with remarks by Dr. David Rossolatos, Vice President of CHMS, who reflected on the historical significance of Hippocratic Week and its origins on the island of Kos, Greece. He also outlined future CHMS goals, including in person Canadian participation in next year’s international Hippocratic Week events in Kos and the development of educational and cultural exchanges with Greece.
“Hippocratic Week will act as a bridge connecting Greece and Canada for Hellenic physicians—uniting our shared values, fostering collaboration, and reaffirming our commitment to the ethical and humanistic foundations of medicine,”
— Dr. David Rossolatos, Vice President, CHMS
A highlight of the evening was a special appearance by Dr. George Oreopoulos, son of the late Dr. Dimitrios Oreopoulos—a pioneering Greek-Canadian physician and nephrology expert whose legacy continues to inspire the CHMS community. Dr. Oreopoulos shared memories of his father’s dedication to medical ethics rooted in Hippocratic principles and spoke to the importance of preserving this tradition among Greek physicians in Canada.
Guests enjoyed meaningful discussion, networking, and celebration of shared Hellenic identity in medicine.
More photos from the event are available now in the Member Dashboard.
A Historic First Step
This milestone marks a historic moment for CHMS and the Hellenic medical community in Canada. For the first time, Hippocratic Week—traditionally celebrated in Greece—has been officially recognized and brought to life on Canadian soil.
CHMS is already preparing for expanded participation in 2026, including:
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Cultural and educational collaborations with Greek medical institutions
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Member delegation to Hippocratic Week in Greece next year
Members interested in getting involved in next year’s planning efforts are invited to contact the CHMS Board.
Read more about the Hippocratic Week 2025 celebrations that took place in Greece featured below: