Meet our 2026 Dr Oreopoulos & Dr Psarakis Scholarship Recipients

We are proud to introduce the 2026 recipients of the Dr. Dimitrios Oreopoulos Memorial Scholarship and the Dr. Stella Psarakis Memorial Scholarship—two outstanding medical students whose dedication, academic excellence, and commitment to the Hellenic community embody the spirit of these awards. This year, we are honoured to recognize Asimina (Mina) Jordanides of Queen’s University (Class of 2027) and Falia Pantieras of the University of Ottawa (Class of 2028). These scholarships celebrate not only their achievements, but also the enduring legacy of Dr. Oreopoulos and Dr. Psarakis in inspiring the next generation of physicians. We look forward to formally presenting these awards at the 25th Hellenic Professionals Gala next week, on February 28th, 2026, where we will gather as a community to celebrate excellence, heritage, and service.

Asimina is a third-year medical student at Queen’s University, based out of the Lakeridge Health Campus. Asimina also completed her Bachelor’s of Health Sciences at Queen’s University on the Honour’s List with Distinction. In medical school, Asimina has also been recognized for her outstanding academic efforts with the Edgar Forrester Scholarship, awarded to the student with the highest academic standing. Outside of the classroom, Asimina has served as the Vice President for her Campus Student Council and a Program Ambassador. She is also involved in scholarly efforts, obtaining a summer studentship award to conduct research that examines cancer drug funding decision making. During her time as an undergraduate student, Asimina was a Public Relations Chair for the Queen’s Hellenic Students’ Association and she continues her Hellenic involvement with volunteer efforts through St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto. In her future practice, Asimina aims to combine culturally sensitive care with evidence-based medicine, treating patients as a whole person, preserving dignity, and addressing underlying social determinants of health.

Falia is a second-year medical student at the University of Ottawa. Falia also completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Health Sciences, where she graduated summa cum laude. During medical school, Falia has been involved in various scholarly research efforts spanning disciplines such as cardiology, otolaryngology, and paediatrics. Furthermore, Falia is currently serving as an executive on the uOttawa Medicine Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine Club, where she leads wellness and educational initiatives to promote nutrition and sustainable lifestyle practices for her medical student community. She is also invested in mentorship initiatives whereby she engages with the Altitude Mentorship Program to provide guidance to students aspiring to pursue medical studies. Lastly, Falia is greatly invested in her local and international Greek community. She has longstanding involvement with the Maids of Athena Organization, whereby she assumed increasing responsibility as Grand Treasurer for multiple years, overseeing international finances for philanthropic and educational initiatives. As a medical professional, Falia hopes to carry her values forward into a career that is rooted in service in mentorship, making meaningful contributions to both her profession and the communities she serves.