Leading institutional, scientific, and academic figures from both Greece and abroad gathered to administer the iconic oath to outstanding new doctors, graduates of both Greek and international university medical schools. This significant event served as the capstone of the multi-faceted "Hippocratic Week."
Hippocratic Week: Bridging Values, Knowledge, and the Globe
The enduring connection between modern medical science and the founding values and principles of Hippocratic philosophy was powerfully highlighted throughout the week. The focus was simple yet profound: reminding all attendees that “ethics, knowledge, and dedication to humanity remain the core of the medical profession.”
This year’s edition of the Hippocratic Week and its accompanying Hippocratic School—which included stops in Athens, Larissa, and Kos—demonstrated the institution’s impressive international reach. The gathering successfully brought together 40 students and professors from 15 medical schools, representing universities across a wide geographical spectrum, including Greece, the U.S., Argentina, Canada, the U.K., Germany, Italy, Austria, Oman, Tunisia, Cyprus, and India.
The core event, the direct reenactment of the Oath-taking at the site where Hippocrates taught, was intentionally structured as a global event. Its purpose was to send a universal and timeless message regarding the responsibilities and principles governing medical practice to the ends of the earth.
The Oath: A Hymn to Excellence and Ethical Commitment
The Hippocratic Oath is arguably the most widely recognized of all ancient Greek medical texts and is rightly considered the earliest definitive expression of medical ethics in the Western world. This year's ceremony on Kos was historic, marking the largest participation ever in the number of doctors taking the oath at the Asklepieion, as well as the highest number of participating foreign universities.
TheHippocratic Oathisone of the most widely known of all Greek medical texts and is considered the earliest expression of medical ethics in the Western world.Credit: Athens Medical Association
Adding to its international resonance, the administration of the Oath at the Asklepieion of Kos was broadcast live worldwide for the first time, a feat accomplished following special permission from the Ephorate of Antiquities, which provides vital annual support for the event.
The ceremony was the product of a large collaborative effort, held under the auspices of the Presidency of the Hellenic Republic. Key organizing bodies included the World Hippocratic Institute of Doctors, the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos, the Athens Medical Association, and the Kos Medical Association, in partnership with the Municipality of Kos.
Upholding a Timeless Legacy
Dr. George Patoulis, President of the Athens Medical Association and of the World Hippocratic Institute of Doctors, expressed his profound honor and emotion at participating in the ceremony for the excelling doctors. He emphasized the profound significance of the event, stating clearly: “This ceremony constitutes a hymn to excellence, knowledge, and ethics—values that Hippocrates established and which continue to guide modern medicine.”
Dr. Patoulis further highlighted the impact of the institution, noting that the initiative, which the Athens Medical Association has staunchly supported since 2011, contributes decisively to the global dissemination of the Hippocratic Ideal and the pursuit of medical excellence. He affirmed a strong pledge to continue vigorously promoting the work and timeless legacy of Hippocrates to all future generations of doctors.
The ceremony constitutes a hymn to excellence, knowledge, and ethics. Credit: Athens Medical Association
Following the moving oath ceremony at the sacred Asklepieion, the Hippocratic Week continued with a productive two-day scientific Symposium hosted at the International Hippocratic Foundation of Kos. Here, new doctors and attending professors engaged in discussions on contemporary scientific issues while reaffirming their connection to their professional roots.
Kos, as the birthplace of scientific medicine, offers an unparalleled setting where history meets education and ethical commitment. The success of this year’s event, both in the scale of participation and its global reach, solidifies the enduring, universal value of Hippocrates' principles in the medical practice of the 21st century. The ceremony, in its essence, served as a powerful declaration that the island of Kos remains a critical center for the global medical community.
