He completed his doctoral thesis, REMOTE POSTCONDITIONING, following a series of experimental cardiac surgeries he performed together with his staff, receiving a mark of ‘excellent’ from the seven-member evaluation board. Immediately following its approval, Dr. Gritsopoulos trained younger colleagues for a number of years, performing experimental cardiac surgeries on various doctoral theses, while the studies he carried out at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens were published in well-known medical journals and were presented at important cardiology and cardiological conferences around the world. During this time, Dr Gritsopoulos saw the results of his pivotal thesis guide other scientists in further applications and scientific studies, mainly at large universities of Asia, and at the same time be applied in practice in the early postinfarction phase in large centres abroad such as Stockholm University.

Dr Gritsopoulos collaborated with notable cardiac surgery centres and the biggest hospitals in Greece, Europe and America, and completed his specialisation having taken part in more than 2,500 surgeries next to leading professors, he sat for oral and written examinations receiving a mark of ‘excellent’ and he received the title of thoracic, cardiac and vascular surgeon.

Subsequently, Dr Gritsopoulos went to the United Kingdom where he received the European licence to practice medicine, and he became a member of the General Medical Council. Following a series of examinations and interviews, Dr Gritsopoulos was selected first among several distinguished colleagues – cardiologists from all over the world as Specialist Registrar of the Cardiology Division of the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, one of the leading clinics in England, where he performed numerous cardiac surgeries. Dr Gritsopoulos focused on cardiac surgery for adults and was distinguished for his work ethic, exceptional results, integrity, and his ability to forge strong relationships with his patients and their immediate family, always remaining close to them, ready to answer any questions they had.

His next stop was the University Hospital of New York, NYU Langone Medical Centre (New York University), where he specialised in microtraumatic cardiac surgery, while he received training in modern operating techniques. Dr Gritsopoulos considers himself honoured to have worked closely with a renowned professor like Dr Elias Zias with whom he continues to have close ties and collaborate to this day, exchanging scientific views, while they frequently work together performing innovative surgical operations.

In 2011, after meeting the Apostolopoulos family, to which –according to Dr Gritsopoulos himself– he owes everything, he became Director of the Cardiac Surgery Department of the Psychiko Clinic, while a short time after that he was appointed scientific director of the thoracic, cardiac and vascular surgery branch of the same Clinic.

Since then, Dr Gritsopoulos has performed a number cardiac surgeries covering the entire adult cardiac surgery branch, with results comparable with those of large foreign centres. Together with his team, which is comprised of highly experienced scientists, Dr Gritsopoulos has completed a number of scientific works that have been published in scientifically recognised, international and Greek journals. At the same time, Dr Gritsopoulos has attended a large number of Greek and international scientific congresses as chairman, speaker or commentator.

Since 2021, as a scientific associate, Dr Gritsopoulos has also been performing surgeries at the Athens Medical Centre in special cases (e.g. special procedures that require a hybrid operating room or other special equipment). Today, Dr Gritsopoulos is a Professor of Surgery at IEK Omiros (private institute of vocational training) in the Nursing Department, sharing his knowledge with the younger generation of scientists.

Dr Gritsopoulos is characterised for his love of his patients and his exceptional scientific training and knowledge. He has an excellent relationship with his colleagues, while he loves reading, music, theatre and sports, as he excelled in swimming and martial acts on a PanHellenic level.

Dr Gritsopoulos has two children; he is fluent in English and Italian, while he also speaks French very well.

• She is a graduate of the School of Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a specialisation in anaesthesiology.
• She has attended a number of specialised educational seminars on cardiac surgery at university clinics in Greece and abroad.
• She has been working in large hospitals in Greece since 1995, and most recently she has worked in the cardiac-anaesthesiology departments of the Mediteranneo, Euroclinic, Metropolitan and Mitera hospitals.
• She specialises in very important branches of surgery. Indicatively: cardiac anaesthesiology, neuro anaesthesiology, geriatric anaesthesiology, management / alleviation of post-surgery pain, use of modern anaesthesiological techniques with patients with anatomical difficulties, epidural / spinal anaesthesia.
• She is a member of the Medical Association of Athens, the Hellenic Society of Anaesthesiology and the Society of Anaesthesiology of Northern Greece.
• She has published important medical research and articles, and has participated in scientific teams with prominent professionals of her field.
• Her studies have been presented at important scientific conferences in Greece and abroad.

Panou Maria was born in Piraeus. She graduated from the Ionideios Model School of Piraeus. She enrolled in the School of Early Childhood Education & Care and graduated with honours. She worked for several years as a medical secretary in the Neo Athineon Hospital and in the Psichiko Clinic of Athens Medical Group. She is characterized by her politeness and excellent communication with patients.