Health professionals for Smoking cessation

Elli Malakounidou is a Pulmonologist - Tuberculosis Specialist who maintains a private practice in Patras. She graduated in 2008 from the Medical School of the University of Crete and has since served in various medical positions, specializing in Pulmonology - Tuberculosis. Her training includes service as a physician in the "Home Help" program, as a rural doctor at the General Hospital of Pyrgos, and in the remote healthcare region under the jurisdiction of the Andritsaina Health Center. Additionally, she has worked as a resident and specialist at the General Hospital of Aigio, the General Hospital "Agios Andreas" of Patras, as well as in the Intensive Care Unit of the University General Hospital of Patras. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she initially worked in the Intensive Care Unit of the University General Hospital of Patras and subsequently served as the lead attending physician in the COVID-19 pulmonology clinic of the same hospital, significantly contributing to patient care and the management of the health crisis. Concurrently, she has participated in various scientific studies published in international medical journals. Finally, her extensive experience in the medical community is further enhanced by her many years of involvement with respiratory diseases and her continuous education in this field.

Loukogiannaki Souzana - Human Kinetics is a Physiotherapist specializing in acupuncture and operates a private physiotherapy and biomedical acupuncture center in Pefki. She holds a physiotherapy degree from the Technological Educational Institute of Athens and completed a research postgraduate program in Exercise and Quality of Life at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science of Democritus University of Thrace. Furthermore, she was trained in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy using the McKenzie method at the Hellenic McKenzie Institute and has obtained certification in the Scenar - Cosmodic method from LET Medical Research Lab in the United Kingdom. Subsequently, she specialized in Biomedical Acupuncture at the Laboratory of Musculoskeletal and Respiratory Physiotherapy of the University of West Attica. She further completed advanced training in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. In addition, she has received certification in Therapeutic Exercise Health Qigong Ba Duan Jin and Taiji Eight Routines & Five Steps through a training program held at the Tai Ji Health Center of the Laboratory of Musculoskeletal and Respiratory Physiotherapy of the University of West Attica, in collaboration with the Shanghai Qiging Research Institute at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as in the Humantecar - Synergistic Healthcare Methodology. Previously, she worked as a Physiotherapist at the Creative Adult Employment Laboratory in Korydallos and as a lecturer in pedagogy and coaching at the Omega Vocational Training Institute. At the center, she manages cases encompassing the entire spectrum of acupuncture; it is noteworthy that she specializes in medical acupuncture, sports injuries, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

Karipi Christina is a Pulmonologist - Tuberculosis Specialist and maintains a private practice in Nea Smyrni. She completed her medical studies at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She specialized in Pulmonology - Tuberculosis at the 4th Pulmonology Clinic of the Thoracic Diseases Hospital "Sotiria". Subsequently, at the same hospital, she participated in the Smoking Cessation Clinic of the 6th Pulmonology Clinic and served as Scientific Collaborator at the 4th Pulmonology Clinic. Additionally, she has worked as a chief physician of medical research protocols at the biotechnology company Regulon. Finally, she has participated in nationwide and pan-European conferences covering all fields of Pulmonology - Tuberculosis and medicine in general, and she continuously updates herself on all developments in her specialty.

Dr. Sarma Niki is a Pulmonologist - Sleep Medicine Specialist and maintains a private practice in Melissia. She holds a PhD from the University of Kiel in Germany and graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Dr. Sarma specialized in Pulmonology at major hospitals in Greece and Germany, such as the Athens Chest Diseases General Hospital "Sotiria," the "Fachkrankenhaus Kloster Grafschaft GmbH," and the "Lungenclinic Großhansdorf" in Hamburg. Additionally, she specialized in Sleep Medicine at the Sleep Clinic of the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf "UKE" and has worked as a Pulmonologist in the private practice "Alsterpneumologie." To date, she continues as an external collaborator of the 4th Pulmonology Clinic at the "Errikos Dynan" Hospital Center.

Koutzoglou Despoina is a Pulmonologist - Tuberculosis Specialist and operates a private practice in Chania. She studied at the Medical School of the University of Bologna in Italy (ALMA MATER STUDIORUM UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA). Furthermore, she specialized at the Pulmonary Clinic of the General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases of Athens "Sotiria" and is a member of the Hellenic Respiratory Society and the European Respiratory Society. She also has clinical experience and training, and at her practice she manages pulmonary diseases such as respiratory infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking cessation, chronic cough, dyspnea, preoperative evaluation, among others.

Angeliki Xatzimanoli, MSc is a Psychologist, certified Psychotherapist, and maintains a private practice in Ilisia. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire and graduated from the Department of Social Policy at Panteion University. Additionally, she has a master's degree in "Addiction Treatment - Addictology" from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in collaboration with the Medical School of Athens. Currently, she is training in "Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling" at the Center for Systemic Study and Therapy of Athens (Ke.S.Me.Th.). Throughout her career, she has volunteered with the Non-Governmental Organizations "ActionAid Hellas" and the International Cybersecurity Institute (CSI). She served as a Psychologist for the NGO "The Home Project" and collaborates as an external associate with the Center for Special Therapies "Oikogeneia." She also writes voluntarily for the website ''efiveia.gr,'' focusing on family and its connection and collaboration with the online therapy platform Terappin. She has been trained in the application of the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy protocol (TF-CBT). She provides psychological support to children, adolescents, and adults. It is noteworthy that she participated in authoring the European program "TRACeD," within the framework of actions for the awareness and prevention of online gender-based violence. In her private practice, she undertakes the assessment, monitoring, and psychotherapeutic treatment of various psychological difficulties, such as anxiety disorders, depressive episodes, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, as well as issues related to interpersonal relationships and self-esteem.

Spyropoulos Konstantinos is a Professor of Pulmonology (Emeritus Professor at the Medical School of the University of Patras), Affiliated Physician at Hygeia Hospital and the General Clinic OLYMPION Treatmen Center in Patras. He is a Certified Physician by the Ministry of Health in the field of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Study. He maintains a private practice in the center of Patras. He graduated from the Medical School and holds a PhD from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with distinction "Excellent". He has served as Visiting Assistant Professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine in the USA and Fellow at the Brompton and London Chest Hospital in London. From 1990 to 2019, he was an Associate Professor of Pathology - Pulmonology at the Medical School of the University of Patras. He served as Professor at the Medical School of the University of Cyprus and is an Honorary Doctor of the University of Nicosia. He is the author of 14 medical books, which have been used as textbooks in various Medical Schools. He has published 120 full articles in reputable international journals and 33 in Greek medical journals. Additionally, he has been honored with awards and commendations for his scientific work. He has 80 presentations at international medical conferences and has been an invited speaker at 40. Finally, he serves as a reviewer for numerous international medical journals.

Pataka Athanasia is a Pulmonologist - Tuberculosis Specialist and Professor of Pulmonology at the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with a private practice in Thessaloniki. Simultaneously, she works at the Respiratory Failure Clinic at the General Hospital of Thessaloniki "G. Papanikolaou". She also holds the European Diploma in Adult Respiratory Medicine, within the framework of Harmonized Education in Respiratory Medicine for European Specialists (HERMES), as well as being an Expert Somnologist certified by the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS) specializing in Sleep Disorders. She has specialized at the Department of Sleep Medicine of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in Scotland, where she studied and analyzed cases of respiratory disorders and other disorders during sleep. Additionally, she completed further training in diagnostic bronchoscopy at the Bronchoscopy Laboratory of the University Pulmonology Clinic of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has a notable teaching record participating in courses for residents as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students of Aristotle University. She possesses significant research contributions with participation in numerous conferences, seminars, and workshops either through lectures or poster presentations, contributed to the authorship of the books "Pulmonology" and "Internal Medicine," which are taught to medical students at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has presented 98 papers at Greek and international scientific conferences and has been honored with 6 awards. Finally, she has published articles in Greek and international medical journals and participates in clinical protocols both Greek and international, concerning sleep, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and smoking.

Odysseas Pazionis is an Acupuncturist and maintains a private practice in Neo Iraklio. He holds a medical degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Neurology at the General State Hospital of Athens. He completed a postgraduate program in Medical Acupuncture and in the Rehabilitation of Neurological Disorders and was trained in "Advanced Life Support in Adults and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation" by the European Resuscitation Council. Additionally, he specializes in acute and chronic pain and smoking cessation. He is a collaborator at the Medisalus Diagnostic Center, a consulting neurologist at the "G. Karavis" Center for Acupuncture Application and Research, and has served as a neurologist at Hygeia Hospital as well as an external associate in the Demyelinating Diseases Department and the General Neurology Clinic of the General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas." He is an instructor in Medical Acupuncture at the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of West Attica and at the international postgraduate center Acuscience, educating physicians in the treatment of headaches and sleep disorders. He applies acupuncture particularly in the treatment of migraines/headaches, smoking cessation, and the management of chronic or acute pain. Finally, he is a member of the Hellenic Neurological Society, the Hellenic Society of Medical Acupuncture, the Hellenic Headache Society, and the Panhellenic Association Against Epilepsy.

Sapardanis Iordanis is a Pulmonologist - Tuberculosis Specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience in clinics and hospitals. He maintains a private practice in Pefka, Thessaloniki. He has an extensive range of publications as well as many years of experience in: interventional pulmonology, lung oncology, management of cancer patients, thoracic puncture, ascitic fluid analysis, chemotherapy regimens for lung cancer, diagnostic and therapeutic examinations, bronchoscopy (diagnostic - therapeutic), endoscopic swallowing evaluation, transthoracic ultrasound, pleural effusion drainage, smoking cessation clinic, management of ulcers and pressure sores (surgical debridement, application of V.A.C, use of growth factors for ulcer treatment, application of hyaluronic acid, selective surgical cleaning using ultrasound (25KHz) and normal saline hydrojet), etc. He is characterized by persistence, patience, resourcefulness, cooperativeness, excellent communication skills with patients and their companions, and above all, a genuine care for people. The clinic offers free parking and emergency parking spaces directly outside, as well as an additional open parking lot nearby. It is easily accessible for individuals with mobility issues, elderly patients, and others. Finally, the clinic is also easily accessible by public transportation.

Dr. Xristopoulos Antonios is a Specialist Pulmonologist, PhD holder from the Medical School of the University of Patras and former Assistant Professor of Pathology at the Higher Technological Educational Institute of Patras. He has worked as a registrar in the ICU and pulmonary laboratory of the ONASSIO Cardiac Surgery Center as well as a Clinical Chest Physician at King’s College Hospital in London. He has also completed postgraduate studies (Master’s degree) in “Thoracic Oncology” at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He is a Scientific Collaborator at the University Pulmonology Clinic of the University General Hospital of Patras. The physician is certified by Harvard Medical School (accreditation 2014), the United Kingdom’s General Medical Council (RN 7523439), and the Global Health Network {ICH GOOD CLINICAL PRACTICE E6 (R2) 94%}. He has undertaken a series of further training programs at specialized centers abroad with practical training, certified by the European Respiratory Society (ERS), of which he is a Golden Member. Dr. Xristopoulos is the Director of the Bronchial Asthma Department at the Medical Center of Athens in Marousi and is the scientific head of the ASTHMA CLINICS, where he oversees a fully equipped modern laboratory for respiratory function testing, sleep studies, and respiratory allergy assessments. The ASTHMA CLINICS feature specialized allergy and asthma departments and a severe bronchial asthma unit, where patients with difficult-to-treat asthma are evaluated for the initiation of new injectable biological therapies and the monitoring of asthma during pregnancy, as physiological changes during gestation may exacerbate asthma.

Mixa Foteini is a Pulmonologist - Tuberculosis Specialist and maintains private practices in Petroupoli and Ilion. She holds a degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Pulmonology - Tuberculosis at the 4th Pulmonology Clinic of the General Chest Diseases Hospital of Athens "Sotiria". She completed a postgraduate specialization program in Thoracic Oncology entitled "The Significance of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Development in the Symptomatology and Clinical Outcome of Patients with Lung Cancer". Additionally, she is a Scientific Collaborator at the Oncology Unit of the 3rd University Clinic of the General Chest Diseases Hospital of Athens "Sotiria" and regularly attends numerous seminars and conferences in Greece and abroad as part of her ongoing professional development.

Mpaniotis Ioannis is an Internist and Acupuncturist who maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. He holds a degree from the Medical School of Bucharest and completed his specialization in Internal Medicine at the General Hospital of Giannitsa and the General Hospital of Thessaloniki "Agios Dimitrios." Additionally, after two years of training, he obtained certification in Medical Acupuncture and has completed further training at the Hospital of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Beijing and the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. From 2007 to 2013, he provided his services as a Specialist Internist at the IKA Pylea Axiou of Thessaloniki, as a Medical Inspector at the Naval Veterans Fund, the hotel employees' fund (TAXY), as well as in private clinics in Thessaloniki. Currently, he voluntarily covers the KAPI centers of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, examining and providing services to the vulnerable elderly population. Finally, he has participated in numerous national and international conferences and is a member of the Medical Society of Pathology and other medical associations.