General surgeon with experience in Obesity in Cholargos

Dr. Ioannis Virlos is a General Surgeon who maintains a private practice in Glyfada. He graduated from the Medical School of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, obtaining his medical degree in 1990. In 2000, he earned a Master’s degree in Surgical Sciences (MSc in Surgical Sciences) as well as a Diploma from Imperial College London (Diploma Imperial College), United Kingdom. In 2009, he was awarded a Doctorate (Medical Doctorate) from the University of Manchester, UK.He has been a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd.) since 1998 and of the Intercollegiate Board in Surgery of the United Kingdom (FRCS (Gen Surg)) since 2008. Since 2011, he has been a Fellow of the European Board of Surgery in the field of Colorectal Surgery (FEBS (Coloproctology)).Dr Ioannis Virlos is a specialized colorectal and bariatric surgeon, also trained in minimally invasive surgery — both laparoscopic and robotic. He has received training not only in Greece but also in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Belgium.After completing his military service in 1992, he trained in General Surgery in hospitals in Athens and the United Kingdom between 1992 and 1999, obtaining his specialty title in General Surgery in 1999. From 2002 to 2012, he served as a surgical consultant in hospitals in the UK, Australia, Belgium, and Greece. Specifically, he worked at the following hospitals in the UK: North Middlesex, Arrowe Park, Derriford, Torbay, Exeter, Cheltenham, and North Bristol, as well as at Sir Charles Gairdner University Hospital in Perth, Australia, and Sotiria Hospital in Athens (as Senior Consultant).During the same period, he received advanced training in laparoscopic colorectal surgery and laparoscopic bariatric surgery at Singleton Hospital in Swansea, UK, and Heilighart Ziekenhuis in Roeselare, Belgium.From 2012 to 2021, he worked as a Consultant Surgeon at the following hospitals in the UK: Ealing Hospital, Homerton University Hospital, John Radcliffe & Churchill Hospitals in Oxford, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Northampton General Hospital, and University Hospitals of Derby and Burton. He returned to Greece in 2021.Since 2023, Mr. Virlos has been the Director of Surgery at Metropolitan General Hospital in Athens. He also serves as the General Secretary of the Hellenic Society of Coloproctology. Finally, for the period 2025–2028, he will represent Greece at the European Society of Coloproctology.

Garzonis Spyros is an Internist - Diabetologist and maintains a private practice in Cholargos. He graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Internal Medicine at the General Hospital for Chest Diseases of Athens "Sotiria". Additionally, he received further training in Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Foot at the Diabetology Center of the General Hospital of Athens "Laiko," where he remained as a collaborator for over 10 years. He holds official specialization in Diabetes Mellitus. He has a particular interest and involvement in diabetes technology and insulin pumps. He has participated as a volunteer physician in a Doctors Without Borders - Greece mission in Zambia and in programs within Greece. Finally, he is a member of the Hellenic Diabetological Association, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, the Hellenic Society for the Study of Diabetic Foot Disorders, the Hellenic Society of Internal Medicine, and Doctors Without Borders - Greece.

Η Εύα Καρανίκκη είναι Κλινική Διαιτολόγος – Διατροφολόγος, πτυχιούχος του Τμήματος Επιστήμης Διαιτολογίας - Διατροφής Χαροκοπείου Πανεπιστημίου, από το οποίο αποφοίτησε με υποτροφία. Ασκεί το επάγγελμα από το 2017, διαθέτοντας σημαντική εμπειρία τόσο σε κλινικό όσο και σε ιδιωτικό επίπεδο.

Είναι αριστούχος του μεταπτυχιακού προγράμματος ΕΚΠΑ στη Νεοπλασματική Νόσο, ενώ είναι υποψήφια διδάκτωρ στο ίδιο πανεπιστήμιο με αντικείμενο τη θρεπτική υποστήριξη χειρουργικών ασθενών με καρκίνο γαστρεντερικού συστήματος. Παράλληλα, ασχολείται κλινικά και ερευνητικά με την παχυσαρκία και τη βαριατρική χειρουργική.

Έχει πέντε χρόνια εμπειρία ως διαιτολόγος σε Γενικό Νοσοκομείο της Αθήνας, με πλήθος σύνθετων περιστατικών.

Έχει ιδιαίτερη κλινική εμπειρία σε χειρουργικούς ασθενείς, ογκολογικούς, σε ασθενείς που ταλαιπωρούνται από υπερβαρότητα ή παχυσαρκία , σε ασθενείς με ΙΦΝΕ και λοιπά νοσήματα γαστρεντερικού και άτομα με διαβήτη, καρδιοπάθεια και νεφροπάθεια.

Συμβάλει ενεργά στην εκπαίδευση φοιτητών Διαιτολογίας (Χαροκόπειο- σεμινάρια πρακτικής άσκησης) και Ιατρικής (ΕΚΠΑ- μαθήμα κλινικών), καθώς επίσης και ιατρών (ΠΜΣ Χειρουργική Ανώτερου Πεπτικού, Μετεκπαιδευτικά μαθήματα ΕΚΠΑ, Μαθήματα ειδικευομένων Ελληνικής Χειρουργικής Εταιρίας). Παράλληλα, το επιστημονικό της έργο περιλαμβάνει δημοσιεύσεις σε διεθνή επιστημονικά περιοδικά και ομιλίες σε σημαντικά για τον κλάδο ελληνικά και ευρωπαϊκά συνέδρια.

Το συγγραφικό της έργο περιλαμβάνει κεφάλαια σε εξειδικευμένα ιατρικά συγγράμματα Χειρουργικής (2023, 2026) με αντικείμενο την κλινική διατροφή χειρουργικών ασθενών και τη διατροφική υποστήριξη σε παθήσεις παχέος εντέρου, καθώς επίσης συν-έγραψε τον Οδηγό Διατροφής για τον Όμιλο «Αγκαλιάζω».

Με επιστημονική κατάρτιση και εξατομικευμένη προσέγγιση, παρέχει ολοκληρωμένη διατροφική υποστήριξη, προσαρμοσμένη στις ανάγκες κάθε ατόμου.

Ioanna Papadopoulou is a General Surgeon and maintains private practices in Cholargos and Glyfada. She performs exclusively laparoscopic surgery for benign and malignant conditions of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder and bile ducts, as well as all types of abdominal wall hernias. She received her Medical Degree from the “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi in 2012. She completed her rural service at the General Hospital of Messinia – Kyparissia Nursing Unit in 2013–2014. In 2021, she obtained her surgical specialty certification.

During her specialty training, she served at the 417 Army Fund Nursing Institution (N.I.M.T.S), where she specialized in advanced laparoscopic surgery for malignant colon diseases, obesity, reflux, and hernias, as well as thyroid malignancies. Additionally, at the Sismanogleio General Hospital of Athens, she participated in a large volume of colon and thyroid cancer surgeries. Considering that the present of surgery lies in laparoscopic and robotic techniques, she attended advanced laparoscopic seminars organized by ELPEN under the auspices of the Hellenic Surgical Society from 2016 to 2018.

In 2021, she completed further training in Surgical Oncology, earning a Master of Science (MSc) degree from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Finally, in 2023, she received additional training in the latest methods for managing complex diaphragmatic hernias and reflux at the Symposium on Innovation in Surgery in Malta.

Kiousi Katerina is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains private practices in Paiania and Cholargos. She holds a degree in Nutrition Science from the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom and a postgraduate degree in Education and Public Health Promotion from King’s College London. Additionally, she holds a Diploma in Basic Clinical Practice and Health Investigation from seminars attended at the International Academy of Health Investigation, Brookwood. She has gained significant professional experience and currently serves as the scientific director of the dietetics center at Voulioukaleio Clinic in Aigaleo and as an External Associate of boarding schools. In her private practices, she provides comprehensive nutrition programs tailored to individual needs. Finally, she has attended numerous industry conferences and is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians - Nutritionists.

Specialist Internist - Diabetologist Papadopoulos Paris maintains private practices in downtown Athens and Cholargos. He is a graduate of the English-speaking department of the University of Belgrade. He specialized in Internal Medicine initially at the 7th IKA Therapeutic Hospital and subsequently at the Konstandopouleio - Patision General Hospital of Nea Ionia, where he actively participated in the activities of the Diabetology Center. He holds a two-year postgraduate degree focused on Diabetes Mellitus from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, and possesses the internationally recognized SCOPE (Specialist Certification of Professional Education) certificate for Obesity management, awarded by the World Obesity Federation. His name is included in the official list of healthcare professionals with international certification in Obesity management. He has served as Consultant of the Diabetology Unit and the Obesity Unit at the Athens Medical Center and as Head of the Internal Medicine Department at a private clinic in Peristeri. The physician offers high-level specialized and personalized medical services aimed at the best possible care for each patient, understanding their individual needs. He has extensive experience in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of diseases across the full spectrum of Internal Medicine, with a particular interest in Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, Gestational Diabetes, Prediabetes, and Metabolic Syndrome. He has participated in multicenter domestic and international medical studies related to Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity. Finally, the physician regularly attends international and domestic conferences as part of his continuous professional development.

Mousiolis Dimitris MD, MSc, cPhD is a General Surgeon with a private clinic in Ilion. He graduated from the Medical School of Plovdiv University and obtained his specialty in General Surgery from the General Hospital of Athens "Elpis". He holds a postgraduate diploma in Liver - Biliary - Pancreatic Surgery from the Medical Department of Democritus University of Thrace and a Diploma from the Hellenic School of Mastology. Additionally, he has received specialized training in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bariatric surgery, vascular access, sentinel lymph node biopsy, as well as in Laparoscopic & Robotic General Surgery. He specializes in the modern management of perianal diseases and has received specialized training in the minimally invasive treatment of perianal conditions (hemorrhoids, pilonidal cyst, perianal fistulas, anal fissures, condylomas) using specific surgical lasers (LHP, SiLAC, FiLaC) as well as in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease with the use of ultrasound. To date, he is a collaborating General Surgeon at the Medical Center of Athens, the Bioclinic of Athens, and the Affidea - Euromedical Group. He has published scientific articles in reputable international medical journals and participates in specialized medical events in Greece and abroad. Finally, the doctor is a member of the Medical Association of Athens, the Hellenic Surgical Society, the Hellenic Scientific Society of Robotic Surgery, the Clinical Robotic Surgery Association, as well as the European Resuscitation Council.

Anna Georgiou BSc, MSc is a Dietitian-Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in Agia Paraskevi. She holds a degree from the Dietetics department of Queen Margaret University in Scotland and a postgraduate degree in "Applied Dietetics and Nutrition" from Harokopio University of Athens. She has worked as a Clinical Dietitian at the Athens Medical Center, and currently, in addition to her private practice, she works as a Dietitian-Nutritionist at IASIS Medical Diagnostic Centers. Finally, she is a regular member of the Hellenic Association of Dietitians-Nutritionists.

Zaxarodimos Nikolaos is a Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist, a doctoral candidate at the Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life of the Agricultural University of Athens, and maintains a private practice in Agia Paraskevi. He graduated from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Technological Educational Institute of Crete and holds a master's degree in "Molecular and Applied Physiology" from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with a research specialization in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Simultaneously, he collaborates with medical clinics, hospitals, and fitness centers, offering personalized nutrition programs and body composition analyses. His professional experience includes salaried practice at the General Hospital of Athens "Laiko," participation in research projects and scholarships within the framework of the "Research – Create – Innovate" initiatives, and active involvement with publications in international journals and conferences both in Greece and abroad. He also has experience as a lecturer and trainer for students, as well as extensive volunteer work in nutritional education activities. Furthermore, the specialist is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists and ACSM Exercise is Medicine Greece. Finally, at his dietetic office in Agia Paraskevi, he provides nutritional guidance for conditions such as diabetes, obesity, autoimmune diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, and muscle strengthening.

Η Λάσπα Έλενα είναι Ενδοκρινολόγος - Διαβητολόγος και διατηρεί το ιδιωτικό της ιατρείο στο Χαλάνδρι. Μέσω πανελληνίων εξετάσεων εισήχθη στην Ιατρική Σχολή Αθηνών το 1990. Μετά από γραπτό διαγωνισμό έλαβε και διατήρησε για όλη τη διάρκεια των σπουδών την υποτροφία του κληροδοτήματος "Αντωνίου Παπαδάκη". Μετά την αποφοίτηση της τον Ιούλιο του 1996 εκπλήρωσε την υπηρεσίας υπαίθρου, στην διάρκεια της οποίας πήρε απόσπαση για τις εφημερίες της στην μονάδα εμφραγμάτων του Γενικού Νοσοκομείου Πρεβέζης. Εν συνεχεία ειδικεύτηκε για 2 έτη στην παθολογία ως προαπαιτούμενη εκπαίδευση για την κύρια ειδικότητα. Εξειδικεύθηκε στην ειδικότητα της Ενδοκρινολογίας στο Πανεπιστημιακό Νοσοκομείο Ιωαννίνων υπό τη διεύθυνση του καθηγητή Α.Τσατσούλη. Ολοκλήρωσε το τελευταίο τμήμα της την ειδικότητας στο St.Mary’s Hospital του Λονδίνου, όπου εξειδικέυθηκε στο υπερηχογράφημα τραχήλου και στις καθοδηγούμενες υπερηχογραφικά παρακεντήσεις όζων θυρεοειδούς αδένα. Παράλληλα με την κλινική της δραστηριότητα στο Λονδίνο, συμμετείχε σε ερευνητικά προγράμματα μελέτης της μεταβλητότητας παραγόντων κινδύνου για την εμφάνιση διαταραχής ανοχής γλυκόζης και αθηροσκληρωτικής νόσου. Μετά το πέρας της ειδικότητας παρέμεινε επιστημονικά ενεργή με την συμμετοχή της σε έρευνες του Πανεπιστημιακού Νοσοκομείου Ιωαννίνων για τον καρκίνο του θυρεοειδούς, για τις ανάγκες της οποίας ανέλαβε μεγάλο αριθμό παρακεντήσεων όζων θυρεοειδούς. Έχει συμμετάσχει ως κλινικός ερευνητής στην Διεθνή κλινική μελέτη Lantus HOE901/3505: ATLANTUS. Επίσης συμμετείχε ως ομιλητής σε πλήθος ελληνικών και διεθνών συνεδρίων. Διεθνή επιστημονικά περιοδικά έχουν φιλοξενήσει δημοσιεύσεις της. Το 2015 έγραψε το κεφάλαιο "Παραθυρεοειδείς αδένες και μεταβολισμός των οστών" στο διαδικτυακό πόνημα "Σύγχρονο εγχειρίδιο Ενδοκρινολογίας". Το 2016 έγραψε το κεφάλαιο "Pseudohypoparathyroid States" στην Εγκυκλοπαίδεια Ενδοκρινικών Νοσημάτων (Encyclopedia of Endocrine Diseases). Το 2019 ολοκλήρωσε το εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα «Health Coach» του Κέντρου Επιμόρφωσης και Δια Βίου Μάθησης του Εθνικού Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Είναι ένα πρόγραμμα το οποίο προσφέρει γνώσεις και εφόδια «προπονητή υγείας» ,ώστε ο ιατρός με μοντέλα ειδικής προσέγγισης και μεθοδολογίας να ενδυναμώσει τον κάθε άνθρωπο να αλλάξει βλαπτικές συνήθειες και συμπεριφορές και να επιτύχει τους στόχους υγείας που θέτει. Είναι μέλος της Ελληνικής Ενδοκρινολογικής Εταιρίας και της Ελληνικής Εταιρίας Μελέτης Μεταβολισμού των Οστών. Μετά από εξετάσεις έγινε δεκτή ως μέλος της Ευρωπαϊκής Εταιρίας Ενδοκρινολογίας, Διαβήτη και Μεταβολισμού (Fellow of the European Board of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism).

Panagiotakopoulou Xristina is a Psychologist - Systemic Family Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Papagou, where she provides individual sessions for adults, couples, and families. She studied Psychology at the Open University of the United Kingdom and subsequently specialized in Systemic Psychotherapy at SKEPSYS (Systemic Center for Training and Psychotherapy). Additionally, she has been trained in the Systemic Appreciative Approach, which is a method for exploring people's strengths, abilities, and resources. She has also received training in psychological support for children, adolescents, families, and communities in bereavement. She possesses notable experience as well as voluntary contributions, having collaborated voluntarily with SYNYPARXI to provide counseling support services. She voluntarily cooperates with the Municipal Polyclinics of Papagou - Cholargos to provide counseling support services and organizes and coordinates adult education groups aimed at their empowerment. Finally, she publishes monthly articles on relevant topics in the magazine Asfalistiki Agora.

Thomopoulou Aleksia is a Dietitian - Nutritionist who operates two private dietetic clinics, located in the Marousi area and Neos Psychiko. She completed a postgraduate program in International and Public Health and Nutritional Program Design at the University of Westminster in London, having previously studied at the Department of Nutrition of the University of Surrey, United Kingdom. Her extensive professional experience is noteworthy, as she has worked as a Dietitian in hospitals, companies, medical centers, and associations across Greece. Specifically, she was employed in the Oncology Department of the Medical School of Athens at the General Thoracic Diseases Hospital "Sotiria," where she specialized in the nutritional support of patients with neoplastic diseases. Additionally, she collaborated with the Home Care company “Medella” as a Scientific Advisor on issues related to cancer and the nutritional support of oncology patients. Simultaneously, she voluntarily provided her services as a Dietitian for the Hellenic Society of Palliative and Symptomatic Care for Cancer Patients (PARI.SY.A.) and the cancer patients’ association "K.E.F.I." Finally, she has been a collaborator of the Gastroenterology Department of the Athens Medical Center and the "THORAX" Institute. Throughout her career, she has participated in conferences—many of which she has addressed as a speaker—focusing on the nutrition of oncology patients.

Xantzaridis Petros is a Military Dietitian - Nutritionist, founder and Director of the Clinical Diet dietetic office in Agia Paraskevi. He was admitted to the Veterinary Medicine Department of the Military School of Officers Corps (SSAS) in Thessaloniki and was commissioned as an Officer of the Hellenic Army in 1996, having been honored with scholarships and commendations from the State Scholarships Foundation (I.K.Y.). In 2000, he was admitted to the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics of the School of Food Technology & Nutrition at ATEI Thessaloniki and graduated in 2003, again receiving scholarships from I.K.Y. In 2009, he was selected by the Health Directorate of the General Staff of the Army as a recipient of an honorary educational scholarship in the field of Dietetics. The prestigious New York University in the United States selected him among numerous candidates from around the world and accepted him into the Graduate Program of Clinical Nutrition, from which he graduated in 2010 with a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition, receiving favorable reviews from leading international Nutrition professors. Since 2005, he has served for several years as Director of the Dietetic Department of the 401 General Military Hospital of Athens. His daily management of clinical cases at the 401 General Military Hospital of Athens, his extensive experience, and the breadth of his studies allow him to have a comprehensive understanding of the food chain, nutritional risks, and their proper management both preventively and in clinical settings. Finally, upon requests from Harokopio University of Athens and the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics of the Technological Educational Institute of Crete, he has undertaken the training of many final-year students as part of their practical training.