Health professionals with experience in Obesity in the Northern suburbs of Athens

Gkougkoulia Anna is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in Vrilissia. She holds a degree in Nutrition (BSc in Human Nutrition) from the University of Westminster, London, and a Master's degree (MSc) in "Applied Dietetics - Nutrition" with a specialization in "Nutrition and Public Health" from Harokopio University of Athens. She is a member of the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists, the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians - Nutritionists, and the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society, and has contributed presentations and papers at conferences.

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.

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.

Pappa Lina is an Acupuncturist who operates a private clinic specializing in Acupuncture and Aesthetic Medicine in Agia Paraskevi. She holds a medical degree from the G. D'Annunzio Medical School in Chieti, Italy, with postgraduate training at the International Council of Medical Acupuncture and Related Techniques (ICMART) and at the European Cosmetic Academy of Chinese Acupuncture (Dr. Radha Thambirajah). The physician has extensive experience in pain management and aesthetic medicine and has also obtained relevant certification from the Italian School of Mesotherapy. Additionally, she is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the Hellenic Medical Acupuncture Society, and a founding member of the Hellenic Medical Mesotherapy Society.

Manta Dimitra is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist with private practices in Kolonaki and Agios Stefanos. She completed her undergraduate studies in Business Administration at the University of Portsmouth and gained extensive experience working in human resources and organizational management departments. Through this path, she realized the crucial role that psychological needs play in everyday life as well as the importance of managing personality elements. Consequently, she specialized in Business Psychology and pursued postgraduate studies in Counseling and Psychotherapy at the University of East London. Psychotherapeutically, she works integratively, adapting her knowledge to the unique needs of each individual, with a priority on creating a stable and safe environment in which the client feels comfortable trusting their inner self. She has specialized in anxiety disorders, self-development, and healthy relationships, and through group work, focuses on assertive behavior, self-awareness, and emotional attachment. Finally, considering education to be a continuous process, she consistently engages in professional development by attending training programs, seminars, conferences, and workshops.

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.

Piki Eirini works as a psychologist, psychotherapist, family therapist, lecturer and supervisor. She is a member of the ‘Greek Psychological Association’ as well as the ‘Hellenic Association of Systemic Therapy (HELASYTH). She has also obtained the European Certificate in Psychology (EuroPsy), and a work license as a psychologist (No. 5522/07). She completed her undergraduate degree (BSc) at the University of North London and her postgraduate (MA) and doctoral (PhD) studies at Goldsmiths University of London. Furthermore, she completed a training in individual, group and family psychotherapy at the Laboratory for the Study of Human Relations. She has worked for several years in different contexts in the field of psychology, such as in prisons, nursing homes and orphanages. She has given lectures at Goldsmiths University of London (UK) and at Mediterranean College (Greece). Since 2002, she has taken part in several seminars, with the aim of informing either the laymen or specific groups, such as parents, teachers and/or mental health care professionals. Since 2005, she has been working in private practice at her office in Agia Paraskevi, Athens, as a psychologist-psychotherapist for children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, as a group therapist, and also as a supervisor. Moreover, since 2005, she has been cooperating with a number of nurseries and, since 2012, she is in collaboration with the European Network of Women, which is an NGO dealing with issues of interfamilial violence and racial discrimination.

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.

Manolopoulou Thomi is a Clinical Psychologist - Psychoanalyst and maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi. She studied Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and subsequently pursued postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology as well as in "Psychoanalysis and Social Field" at the University of Paris. Additionally, she has trained in Psychoanalysis at the Psychoanalysis School of the Lacanian Field Forums in Paris and is a member of the clinical training committee of the Athens Forum (Psychoanalysis School of the Lacanian Field Forums), serving as a lecturer and seminar facilitator. She has extensive clinical experience, having worked both in Greece and abroad in hospitals, NGOs, and other institutions, such as the Psychiatric Hospital of Prémontré in France (where she holds a position as Clinical Psychologist and seminar facilitator), the Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit of Château-Thierry Prisons, and the Reception Center for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Thessaloniki. Simultaneously, she provides supervision to trainee Psychoanalysts, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Educators.

Dalakoura Stella is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and maintains a private practice in Chalandri. She holds a degree from the Medical School of Democritus University of Thrace and a Master's Degree in "Molecular & Applied Physiology" from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She specialized in Endocrinology-Diabetology in the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the General Hospital of Athens "Korgialenio-Benakeio" E.E.S. During her specialization, she also gained expertise in the management of patients using insulin pumps. In her practice, she handles cases covering the entire spectrum of Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism. She is a member of the Hellenic Endocrine Society, the Athens Medical Association, and the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom. In 2022, she obtained the SCOPE certification from the World Obesity Federation, following a scholarship award from the Hellenic Endocrine Society.

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).