Dr.
Emmanuel Bechrakis is to lead the AFGLC in Greece
Professor
Chris P. Tsokos, President,
and Prof. John Balis,
Executive Vice President of the
American
foundation for
Greek language and culture, AFGLC,
announced the election
of the
International
Distinguished Ophthalmologist, Professor Emmanuel Bechrakis,
President of the AFGLC
CENTER in GREECE
Dr. Bechrakis has had an illustrious career as an academic and practicing ophthalmic physician and surgeon, a researcher in the field of Ophthalmology at various academic institutions; and as an innovating academic leader in initiating and spearheading the creation of three medical schools at the University of Patra, Éoannina and Crete.
Dr.
Bechrakis returned permanently to Greece in 1974. He remained active as a
consultant eye surgeon at the Hospital Hygia (1974-78), but he also
devoted much of his time in developing the plans for the creation of three
additional Greek medical schools, in his capacity of initiator and
official expert of a feasibility study. These schools were finally in
place in 1979, and the founding professors for these schools were selected
by distinguished academicians from United States, Europe and Greece.
As
a founding professor and Chair of Ophthalmology at the University of Patra
(1979-91), Dr. Bechrakis established an outstanding Department that
directed towards the pursuit of excellence in teaching, patient care
activities and research.
Professor
Bechrakis is the author of more than 120 scientific articles in the field
of Ophthalmology. He is co-founder and past president (1990-94) of the
“Pan-Hellenic
Opthalmological Association”. He is also co-founder of other important
associations including the “German Association of medical statistics and
documentation”, the “Greek Association of Intraocular Lens Refractive
Surgery”, and the “Association of History of Ophthalmology, among
others.
Dr.
Bechrakis will lead an excellent team of AFGLC officers which includes:
the distinguished academician, Dr. Nicholaos Artemiadis, Honorary
President and former president of the Athens Academy, Professor George
Maroulis, Vice-President of Academic Affairs, attorney Panagiota
boubpa-Balis, secretary, Industrialist Costas Angelakis, Treasurer,
Financier Dr. Dennis Koutras, Economic Advisor, attorney Arsinoi Lainiotis,
Legal Advisor, retired business executive John Camesas, Managing Director
and Ms. Ioanna Janudakis, Information and Media Director.