Health professionals for Obesity in Attica

Zaxariadis Konstantinos is a General Practitioner who maintains a private practice in Nea Smyrni. He holds a degree in Medicine and Pharmacy from the University of Craiova and has specialized in general medicine at the General State Hospital of Nikaia. Simultaneously, he continuously attends numerous national and international conferences to ensure his ongoing education. He is a member of the Hellenic Diabetes Association, the Hellenic Society of General Medicine, the American Diabetes Association, and the Hellenic Society of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection. The doctor has experience in blood pressure regulation, managing obesity and asthma, as well as smoking cessation support. Through his professional experience in major and recognized hospitals in Greece, he is capable of addressing a wide range of conditions in his private practice.

Katerina Xrysoulaki is a Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist, BSc, MSc, and she operates a private practice (Thought for food) in Exarchia, where she provides personalized nutrition services. She holds a degree from the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Science at Harokopio University of Athens and possesses a bachelor's and master's degree (BSc - MSc) in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the Agricultural University of Athens. Furthermore, she holds a "Master Practitioner" certification in Eating Disorders and Obesity from KEADD in collaboration with NCFED of the UK. She completed her internship at selected nutrition centers, as well as at the General Hospital of Athens "Alexandra," gaining valuable experience in clinical and preventive settings. She continuously attends specialized seminars and educational programs, staying updated on the latest developments in Nutrition Science, clinical practice, and nutritional behavior. Her primary goal is to help people feel better and improve their lifestyle through nutrition. Based on scientific data, each program is tailored to the needs, daily routine, and lifestyle of each individual. Change does not come through restrictions but through conscious choices that respect the body and the needs of each person.

Papadopoulou Elina is a physician specializing in General Family Medicine. She operates her private practice, “FamilyMed Center,” in Argos and Kiveri. She specialized at the General Hospital of Athens “G. Gennimatas.” She has received additional training in emergency prehospital medicine, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and infections. She is also trained in medical acupuncture. She holds a Master of Science degree in Occupational and Environmental Health from the National School of Public Health. She worked for 20 years in the National Health System (ESY), the last 12 years as a Consultant at the Lygourio Health Center, with on-call duties at the Nafplio and Argos Hospitals. She held the positions of coordinator of the 1st Local Health Unit (TOMY) of Argos and supervisor for the National Public Health Organization (EODY) for the Argolis Prefecture (KOMY) during the pandemic. She has attended numerous conferences and has produced a significant number of papers related to the broader field of primary health care.

Mpenetatos Nektarios MD is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and maintains private practices in Koukaki and Nea Filadelfeia. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Internal Medicine at the 1st Internal Medicine Clinic of the General Hospital of Elefsina “Thriasio” and in Endocrinology at the Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes of the 1st University Clinic of the General Hospital of Athens "Laiko". He has worked as an endocrinologist in the Endocrinology Unit of the Evgenidio Hospital and in the Clinics of Endocrine Disorders of Pregnancy, Menopause, and Osteoporosis, in the Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic, and in the Andrology Clinic of the General Hospital "Elena Venizelou". Finally, he is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the Athens Medical Society, and the Hellenic Endocrinological Society.

Mixailidis Xristos is a General Practitioner with a private practice in Piraeus. He holds a degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in General Medicine at the Thriasio General Hospital of Elefsina. He has extensive professional experience, having worked at the General Hospital of Amfissa, the Neuropsychiatric Clinic "Agios Gerasimos," the Clinic "Kyaneus Stavros," and within the SOS doctors network. Additionally, he has served as an instructor at the Public IEK of Elefsina and Mandra. To date, alongside his private practice, he serves as a Physician at the Dialysis Unit of the Athens Medical Center. Furthermore, he has participated in numerous conferences, postgraduate seminars, and workshops aimed at continuous professional development in his field and has contributed to several studies and research projects. Finally, the doctor is a member of the Hellenic Society of General/Family Medicine.

Dr. Grammatikou Sofia, MD, PhD, is an Endocrinologist with a private practice in Chaidari. She holds a PhD from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with a dissertation titled "Health Maintenance Intervention in the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus." She is also a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Endocrinology at the Korgialenio-Benakeio General Hospital of Athens. Dr. Grammatikou manages cases across the entire spectrum of Endocrinology, with particular expertise in the management of gestational diabetes as well as type 1 and type 2 diabetes. She is specialized in monitoring diabetic patients using insulin pumps. The clinic is equipped with modern thyroid ultrasound technology. During a diabetic patient visit, a comprehensive clinical examination, neuropathy assessment, training on the use of injectable therapeutic treatments, and dietary guidance are provided. Finally, Dr. Grammatikou is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the Hellenic Endocrinological Society, and the Hellenic Diabetes Association.

Porfyriadi Pandora is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in Ilioupoli. She graduated from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Canterbury Christ Church University. She completed her internship at the General Hospital Asklipieio Voulas, where she gained experience in clinical nutrition, as well as in a private dietetic office in Elliniko. She provides personalized dietary support for nutritional issues and, through nutritional education, imparts the knowledge and skills needed for healthy food choices aimed at sustainable and long-term change.

Η Παγώνη Ειρήνη είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχαναλύτρια, τακτικό μέλος του Συλλόγου Ελλήνων Ψυχολόγων και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Παλαιό Φάληρο. Διαθέτει πτυχίο BSc Ψυχολογίας από το University of Wales Swansea και μεταπτυχιακό δίπλωμα MA Ψυχανάλυσης από το Middlesex University of London. Είναι απόφοιτη του Αμερικάνικου Κολλεγίου Ελλάδας, ξεκίνησε την ακαδημαϊκή της εκπαίδευση στο Deree College of Greece και συνέχισε στο Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο. Διέμεινε στο Λονδίνο για σχεδόν μια δεκαετία, όπου ολοκλήρωσε την πρακτική της και, παράλληλα, εργάστηκε σε συνεργασία με σημαντικές δομές Ειδικής Αγωγής, όπως Child Autism UK, B.I.G (Behavioral Intervention Group) και LEAP (Learning Experiences and Alternate Program for Preschoolers and their Parents), όπου και ασχολήθηκε με το φάσμα αναπτυξιακών διαταραχών και την οικογενειακή συμβουλευτική. Συμμετείχε σε πολυάριθμα επιμορφωτικά σεμινάρια για τις αρχές του Συμπεριφορισμού, ανάμεσά τους και στο Regent’s College of London. Στην πορεία της πρόσφερε εθελοντική εργασία σε οργανωμένες δράσεις από τις τοπικές κοινότητες για ΑΜΕΑ και, όταν επέστρεψε στην Ελλάδα, στο Ίδρυμα Ανάδυση του Κολάτου. Μέσα στην εργασιακή της εμπειρία στην Αθήνα, περιλαμβάνεται και η παροχή εποπτείας στον Πανελλήνιο Σύλλογο Προσαρμοσμένων Δραστηριοτήτων καθώς η βασική της εργασία δεν παύει να είναι η πραγματοποίηση ψυχαναλυτικών και ψυχοθεραπευτικών διαβουλεύσεων. Σήμερα έχει συμπληρώσει 22 χρόνια εμπειρίας στον χώρο της επιστήμης της Ψυχολογίας και αναλαμβάνει ατομικές και ομαδικές συνεδρίες παρέχοντας υπηρεσίες ψυχοθεραπείας ενηλίκων και εφήβων. Έχοντας συνδυάσει την κατάρτιση της Ψυχανάλυσης με την γνώση του Συμπεριφορισμού αλλά και πολυετή μελέτη της Γιουνγκιανής Ανάλυσης, εξασκεί την προσέγγιση της Συνθετικής Ψυχολογίας ενσωματώνοντας τεχνικές από διαφορετικούς προσανατολισμούς ανάλογα με τις θεραπευτικές ανάγκες του θεραπευόμενου. Κατέχοντας τις απαιτούμενες γνώσεις από τις προαναφερθείσες κατευθύνσεις, ως επαγγελματίας χαρακτηρίζεται από μεγάλη ευρύτητα σκέψης και ευελιξία. Έχει εμπειρία σε αντιμετώπιση κατάθλιψης, κρίσεων πανικού, άγχους, παχυσαρκίας, διατροφικών διαταραχών, ιδεοψυχαναγκαστικής διαταραχής, διπολικής διαταραχής, μετατραυματικού στρες, θεραπείας ζεύγους, οικογενειακής συμβουλευτικής προσωπικής ανάπτυξης και αυτοβελτίωσης. Καθώς στην προσέγγισή της συναντώνται στοιχεία από διαφορετικές σχολές Ψυχολογίας, μπορεί να ανταποκριθεί αποτελεσματικά σε μια πληθώρα περιπτώσεων και θεραπευτικών προτιμήσεων, ακολουθώντας ένα διευρυμένο θεραπευτικό μοντέλο προσαρμοσμένο κατάλληλα σε κάθε τύπο προσωπικότητας. Τέλος, οι συνεδρίες μπορούν να διεξαχθούν και στα αγγλικά.

Sofias Aleksandros - Premedicare is an Endocrinologist, a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Following two years of training in the Internal Medicine Department of the 7th IKA Hospital and four years of work at the Aspropyrgos refinery clinic as an on-call physician, he specialized in the Endocrinology Department of the General Hospital of Athens "Evangelismos". There, he actively participated in the Endocrinology Laboratory - Dynamic Testing Unit, the endocrinology clinic, outpatient clinics, and specialized clinics for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, pituitary disorders, diabetic nephropathy, and osteoporosis. He gained significant experience in adrenal gland diseases, pituitary disorders, and thyroid cancer. Additionally, he has taken part in numerous weekly interdisciplinary clinical case discussions and literature updates of the department, coordinated by Director Dr. Stylianos Tsagkarakis. Since then, he has participated in numerous conferences and has served as a reviewing physician for MedNet Greece SA, while continuing to provide high-quality services to his patients.

Diamantopoulos Aristeidis Aris is a graduate physician of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and obtained his professional license in 2015. He was a trainee in Internal Medicine at the General Hospital of Nea Ionia - Patision from 2016 to 2018, and from 2018 to 2023 he specialized in "Endocrinology – Diabetes – Metabolism" at the Endocrinology Department – Diabetes Center of the General Hospital of Athens "Evangelismos," which has also been certified as a National and European Reference Center for "Pituitary - Adrenal - Thyroid Cancer." Concurrently, since 2021, he has been pursuing a PhD at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. As an endocrinologist – diabetologist, he has contributed to numerous publications in reputable Greek and international medical journals. He has also received awards at conferences, including the "Young ESE Investigator Award 2022" from the European Society of Endocrinology. In addition to clinical and research studies, he has participated in multiple conferences in Greece and abroad, presenting lectures, oral communications, and posters. In his private practice, he manages cases spanning the entire spectrum of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, with the primary concern being the benefit of the patient.

Drimala Panagiota is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and maintains a private practice in Ampelokipi. She studied at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She specialized in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the largest autonomous Endocrinology Clinic and Diabetology Center in the country, located at the "Evangelismos" hospital. There, she gained extensive experience in managing patients with diabetes mellitus. Additionally, she specialized in gestational diabetes and thyroid diseases during pregnancy at the "Alexandra" and "Elena Venizelou" hospitals. As part of her continuous professional development, she has attended postgraduate programs related to Human Reproduction, Childhood Obesity, as well as specialized training in Thyroid Ultrasound at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Η Ηλιοπούλου Τέτα είναι Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας με πολυετή κλινική εμπειρία, η οποία ξεπερνά τα είκοσι έτη. Παρέχει υπηρεσίες συμβουλευτικής και ψυχοθεραπείας, πραγματοποιώντας συνεδρίες δια ζώσης και διαδικτυακά. Οι σπουδές της περιλαμβάνουν την επιτυχή ολοκλήρωση προγραμμάτων στην Kοινωνική Εργασία από το Chette College και στη Συνθετική Συμβουλευτική Ψυχοθεραπεία από το Athens Synthesis Centre, ενώ βρίσκεται σε διαδικασία αναβάθμισης των ακαδημαϊκών προσόντων της στην ψυχολογία από το Πανεπιστήμιο του Essex. Από το 2005 ασχολείται με την συμβουλευτική ζεύγους, την προσωπική θεραπεία και συντονίζει ομάδες αυτογνωσίας – ψυχοθεραπείας. Από το 2010 διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Νέα Ιωνία Αττικής. Ενημερώνεται συνεχώς στον εξελισσόμενο χώρο της ψυχολογίας και ψυχοθεραπείας, μέσω σεμιναρίων και διαρκή προσωπική ανάπτυξη. Επίσης, συνεργάζεται με ψυχίατρο όπου απαιτείται και διατηρεί την εποπτεία των περιστατικών της. Η επαγγελματική βοήθεια παρέχεται στις περιπτώσεις που κάποιος επιθυμεί να διαχειριστεί ένα θέμα που τον προβληματίζει, είτε σε σχέση με τον εαυτό του είτε με άλλους, να αντιμετωπίσει μια ψυχική δυσκολία ή να διευρύνει την αυτογνωσία και την προσωπική του ανάπτυξη. Η θεωρητική προσέγγιση που ακολουθεί είναι συνθετική και περιλαμβάνονται: Η Γνωσιακή - Συμπεριφορική για αναγνώριση και τροποποίηση του σκεπτικού και της συμπεριφοράς που δείχνουν αδιέξοδα. Η Ψυχοδυναμική για ιχνηλάτηση του παρελθόντος (πρώιμες παιδικές εμπειρίες) που έχουν διαμορφώσει ένα μοντέλο λειτουργίας του ατόμου. Η Υπαρξιακή στην οποία η έμφαση δίνεται σε αυτό που επιλέγει να κάνει το άτομο στο παρόν, το νόημα που του αποδίδει και η επίδραση στις σχέσεις του (στις ομάδες ακολουθείται μόνο η συγκεκριμένη προσέγγιση). Κυρίαρχη σε κάθε περίπτωση, η Προσωποκεντρική θεώρηση, όπου η έμφαση δίνεται πρώτα στον άνθρωπο και έπειτα στο πρόβλημά του. Υπάρχει η πίστη ότι κάθε άτομο διαθέτει θετικές πλευρές και ένα εσωτερικό δυναμικό, ικανό να υποστηρίξει την ανάπτυξη και την υπέρβαση των δυσκολιών της ζωής.

Zaxariadis Konstantinos is a Diabetologist and maintains a private practice in Nea Smyrni. He holds a degree in Medicine and Pharmacy from the University of Craiova and has specialized in general medicine at the General State Hospital of Nikaia. Additionally, he continues to attend numerous national and international conferences to ensure his ongoing education. He is a member of the Hellenic Diabetological Association, the Hellenic Society of General Medicine, the American Diabetes Association, and the Hellenic Society of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection. The doctor has experience in blood pressure regulation, management of obesity and asthma, as well as smoking cessation assistance. Through his professional experience in major and renowned hospitals in Greece, he is capable of managing a wide range of conditions in his private practice.

Kiortsis Dimitrios, Endocrinologist - Diabetologist, is a Professor at the Medical School of the University of Ioannina. He maintains private practices in Athens and Ioannina. He received specialized training in Paris at the university hospitals Pitie-Salpetriere, Saint Louis, Hotel Dieu, Trousseau, and Cochin. He holds the three-year diploma in Endocrinology-Metabolic Diseases (DU Paris V). He earned his doctorate (PhD) through collaboration between the Universities of Paris (Paris VI) and Athens. He has 35 years of experience across the full spectrum of endocrine disorders, with particular expertise in obesity and metabolic diseases. He is a European-certified specialist and trainer of young physicians in obesity (European Scope). He has served as President of the Hellenic Medical Society of Obesity and is currently President of the Hellenic Society of Metabolism, Nutrition, and Wellness. His original research work includes over 200 publications in international journals and numerous chapters in both international and Greek medical books. His work has received multiple awards. He continues his research in collaboration with leading institutions in Europe and the USA. His clinic offers a fully personalized approach to the entire range of endocrine disorders, with an emphasis on modern therapeutic management of metabolic diseases and obesity. By combining academic research with extensive clinical experience, his goal is to improve patient quality of life through scientifically substantiated knowledge.

Dr. Alevizos Alevizos is a General Practitioner/Family Physician (GP/FM) who owns and manages two private medical practices in Piraeus and Thrakomakedones in the Athens wide metropolitan area. He holds a degree in Medicine from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with postgraduate training in diabetes from Harvard Medical School in the USA. He completed his residency in General and Family Medicine at "Tzaneio" General Hospital of Piraeus.

He has served as the medical scientific director for the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and has also served as a Health Consultant for the Hellenic Cardiological Foundation.

Since the legalization of Medical Cannabis in Greece, he has been a pioneer in assisting patients with various ailments and medical conditions providing up-to-date medical care, substantially fulfilling unmet patients needs.

He is a certified medical cannabis specialist and prescriber.

He has extensive educational and research experience, including numerous announcements and presentations at Greek and international conferences, as well as publications in many major international medical journals.

Finally, he is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Maria Mpergele is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains her private offices in Nea Ionia and in the center of Athens. She holds a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Thessaly and, as part of her continuous professional development, she has attended and continues to attend numerous postgraduate scientific seminars and conferences related to her specialty. She has extensive experience in managing clinical cases (such as Diabetes Mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, thyroid disorders, gut health) and also treats adolescent cases. In the past, she served as a Dietitian - Nutritionist at a Nutrition and Aesthetics Center and completed her internship in the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at the Korgialeneio-Benakio General Hospital (Red Cross). Currently, in addition to her private practice, she collaborates with a Nursery School providing nutritional services as well as with a Wellness and Care Center.

Papataksiarxis Euaggelos MSc is a Dietitian - Nutritionist with a private practice in Ampelokipoi. He holds a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki and a master's degree (MSc) with distinction in Applied Dietetics - Nutrition from Harokopio University of Athens. He specializes in modifying dietary behaviors through lifestyle habit changes in both adults and children and creates personalized nutrition programs for weight modification, pathological cases, and athletes. He participates in numerous seminars and conferences to stay updated on developments in the field and delivers lectures at conferences, talks at schools and associations, and television interviews on nutrition topics. Lastly, he is a member of the Hellenic Dietitians - Nutritionists Association and the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians - Nutritionists.

Florou Athina is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in the Zografou area. She graduated from the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Science at Harokopio University of Athens in 2022, successfully completing her undergraduate studies. During her internship at the 251 General Airforce Hospital, she gained valuable knowledge and experience in nutrition support, designing personalized diet plans, nutritional counseling, and assessing patients' nutritional status. She continued her studies at University College London (UCL), where she obtained a master's degree in Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition with distinction. As part of her postgraduate education, she worked at St Ann’s Hospital/Eating Disorder Service, making a significant contribution to the rehabilitation of patients with eating disorders. Athina is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians-Nutritionists (PSDΔD), the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN), and the Association for Nutrition (AfN) in the UK. She has experience in managing clinical cases through collaboration with physicians of various specialties in both hospital and private settings. She applies individualized nutritional interventions based on scientific evidence, aiming for the holistic support of health.

As part of her active involvement in international scientific networks, she participates as a member of the Working Group of the European project HEALTH UP! of EFAD (European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians), contributing to the scientifically substantiated evaluation and updating of the Guide on Eating Disorders, aiming to enhance dietetic care practice at the European level.

Ms. Mamali Anastasia is a Psychologist, licensed to practice professionally, and maintains a private practice in Kifisia. She holds a second degree in Greek Culture. She has completed postgraduate studies in Human Resource Management (MBA HR) and further training in Systemic and Family Psychotherapy. She has also completed a Continuing Education Program on the "Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Infants, Children, and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)" from the Hellenic Society for the Study of ADHD. She undergoes personal psychotherapy and supervision with a systemic orientation and has completed a two-year clinical internship in Systemic Family Psychotherapy. She undertakes psychotherapy for adults, adolescents, and families facing difficulties, and also provides counseling sessions for parents and adolescents. Sessions can be conducted in person or online.

Grigorios Rompopoulos, Endocrinologist, Diabetologist, Grigorios Rompopoulos is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Athens. He has held the specialty of Endocrinology since 2008 and has been practicing as a private physician in Athens since then. He possesses extensive experience in clinical studies with more than 40 scientific publications and presentations in international scientific journals and conferences. He served as a general practitioner in Boeotia, as a pathology resident at Nikaia General Hospital, and as an endocrinology resident at Hippokration Hospital of Athens, where he obtained his specialty in Endocrinology. He worked for several years as a hospital physician in private clinics and later as a medical consultant and medical director at a company developing innovative therapies.