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NKUA Ranked 4th Worldwide in Medical and Health Sciences

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) has achieved another major international distinction in the AD Scientific Index World Top Universities Ranking 2026.

NKUA is ranked:
🔹 61st worldwide among 19,592 universities and research institutions from 221 countries
🔹 15th in Europe
🔹 1st among all Greek and Cypriot universities

Most notably, NKUA ranks 4th globally in Medical and Health Sciences, reflecting the outstanding research impact, scientific excellence, and international recognition of its academic community.

The ranking is based exclusively on objective research performance indicators, including Total H-index, Total i10-index, and Total Citations, highlighting the strength of NKUA’s scientific output and global influence.

This remarkable achievement further confirms the leading role of the NKUA Medical School in education, research, clinical excellence, and innovation, strengthening its position among the world's top institutions in the health sciences.

On Wednesday, 17 June 2026, the Dean of the NKUA Medical School, Professor Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, participated in the event “Internationalization & Extroversion: Greece as an Academic Hub of the Future”, organized by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports.
Professor Arkadopoulos took part in the panel discussion entitled “The Global Educational Hub for Health in Greece”, where he highlighted the prospects of establishing Greece as an international center for education, research, and innovation in the field of Health Sciences. He emphasized the strategic role of the NKUA Medical School in advancing the internationalization of Greek higher education.

Particular emphasis was placed on the successful operation of the English-Language Undergraduate Medical Program, which serves as a flagship example of academic extroversion and attracts students from across the globe.

During his intervention, Professor Arkadopoulos underlined that strengthening the international profile of Greek universities, developing strategic international partnerships, and fostering strong links between education, research, and innovation are key prerequisites for positioning Greece as a leading international academic hub in the Health Sciences.

The NKUA Medical School remains committed to excellence and internationalization, actively contributing to the establishment of Greece as a global destination for medical education, research, and innovation.

The Brain Gain of NKUA School of Medicine continues!

We are proud to celebrate the appointment of neuroscientist Dr. Angeliki Tsapanou as Assistant Professor at the First Department of Neurology of the NKUA School of Medicine and the Aeginition University Hospital, following a distinguished academic and research career in the United States.

Her return to Greece is another example of the growing brain gain phenomenon at NKUA School of Medicine. Over the past three years, the School has attracted more than 200 outstanding new faculty members, including 30 academics who returned from leading institutions abroad.

This remarkable achievement reflects the School’s commitment to meritocracy, academic excellence, and international competitiveness, creating new opportunities for research, education, innovation, and patient care.

At NKUA School of Medicine, we continue to attract top talent from around the world and strengthen Greece’s position as a center of excellence in medical education and biomedical research.

NKUA School of Medicine Highlights Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Victor Hassid and New Collaboration on Patient Access & Safety

The NKUA School of Medicine proudly highlights the recent publication of its distinguished alumnus, Dr. Victor J. Hassid, Professor of Plastic Surgery and Associate Vice President for Access Strategic Operations at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

The article, entitled “Patient Safety Begins With Access: Safety Events That Occur Before Meeting the Patient”, co-authored with Dr. Haytham M. Kaafarani, draws attention to a critical yet often overlooked dimension of healthcare quality: patient access.

Through the analysis of a real-world clinical case, the authors demonstrate how administrative delays, fragmented communication, insurance requirements, scheduling barriers, and incomplete information transfer can significantly delay care, increase patient anxiety, and adversely affect clinical outcomes.

The article introduces the concept of “Access Safety”, arguing that barriers to timely access should be recognized and addressed as patient safety issues. It calls for greater transparency, systematic analysis, and organizational accountability to ensure that patients receive the right care at the right time.

As part of this shared vision, the NKUA School of Medicine is pleased to announce the initiation of a new collaboration with Dr. Hassid and MD Anderson's access leadership team, aiming to promote knowledge exchange and explore best practices that support equitable, timely, and safe access to healthcare services.

This collaboration further strengthens the School’s international partnerships and reflects its commitment to supporting alumni who continue to make a global impact in medicine, healthcare innovation, and patient-centered care.

Article: Patient Safety Begins With Access: Safety Events That Occur Before Meeting the Patient
Published in JAMA, 2026. -> https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2846342

NKUA School of Medicine at the 3rd National Congress on Metabolic Diseases and Chronic Conditions

The 3rd National Congress on Metabolic Diseases and Chronic Conditions took place in Syros, Greece, from June 12–14, 2026, bringing together healthcare professionals and researchers to discuss current challenges in public health and chronic disease management.

Professor Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, Dean of the NKUA School of Medicine, delivered the opening lecture entitled “The Bidirectional Relationship Between Public Health and Demographic Change.” His presentation highlighted the close connection between demographic trends and public health, emphasizing the need for healthcare systems and medical education to adapt to emerging societal challenges.

Professor Arkadopoulos also underscored the important role of the NKUA School of Medicine in advancing research, education, and innovation in public health, while congratulating Associate Professor Panagiotis Chalvatsiotis, Chair of the Organizing Committee, for his valuable contribution to continuing medical education and healthcare.

Congratulations to Professor Emeritus Nikolaos Papantoniou on receiving the prestigious Dean’s Award from the Morsani College of Medicine.

The distinction recognizes his longstanding contribution to medical education and the promotion of Hippocratic values internationally. During the award ceremony, Professor Papantoniou highlighted the enduring significance of the Hippocratic Oath and the global reputation of the NKUA School of Medicine.

A well-deserved international recognition that honors both the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos and the NKUA School of Medicine.

The Medical School of NKUA was the first School of our University to install an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) nearly one and a half years ago, accompanied by staff training in emergency response and AED use.

Today, we warmly welcome the expansion of this important initiative across all NKUA facilities through the generous donation of 106 AEDs and first-aid kits by Mrs. Ioulia Tseti, President and CEO of the Tssetis Pharmaceutical Group (UNI-PHARMA & InterMed).

Congratulations to NKUA Rector Professor Gerasimos Siasos, the Department of Pharmacy, and Mrs. Tsseti for this remarkable initiative that further strengthens safety and preparedness across the University community.

Read more: https://hub.uoa.gr/ekpa-to-proto-panepistimio-me-egkatastasi-apinidoton-se-ola-ta-ktiria-tou-dorea-apo-ton-omilo-farmakeftikon-epicheiriseon-uni-pharma-kleon-tsetis-farmakevtika-ergastiria

Professor Vassilis Gorgoulis of NKUA School of Medicine Honored at the 11th Congress of Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes.

Professor Vassilis Gorgoulis, Director of the Histology–Embryology Laboratory at the School of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), was honored with a special award by Academician and Emeritus Professor of NKUA George Chrousos during the 11th Congress of Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, held on June 6–7, 2026, at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron Mousikis).

The award recognized Professor Gorgoulis’ long-standing, pioneering, and internationally acclaimed scientific contribution to the understanding of the mechanisms governing cellular senescence and its role in the biology of aging and the pathogenesis of age-related diseases.

This distinction also acknowledges his pivotal contribution to the identification of novel biomarkers and detection methods for cellular senescence, as well as the development of innovative therapeutic approaches aimed at selectively targeting senescent cells. His work has significantly advanced research on healthy longevity and the prevention and treatment of chronic human diseases.

A major distinction for the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the University General Hospital “Attikon”.

The 2nd Department of Clinical Radiology of NKUA at Attikon University Hospital has been officially recognized as an accredited center for the embolization of vascular malformations and aneurysms of the Central Nervous System (Government Gazette Β΄2581/07.05.2026).

This achievement is the result of the close collaboration between the 2nd Department of Clinical Radiology, directed by Professor Nikolaos Kelekis, the 2nd Neurology Department, directed by Professor Georgios Tsivgoulis, and the 2nd Neurosurgery Department, directed by Professor Efstathios Boviatsis.

The recognition establishes Attikon University Hospital as the second specialized center in Attica and the only such center within the 2nd Regional Health Authority of Piraeus and the Aegean, significantly enhancing patient access to advanced neurovascular treatments.

This milestone further demonstrates the commitment of the NKUA School of Medicine to innovation, clinical excellence, and the delivery of highly specialized healthcare services for patients with complex neurological conditions.