NEW YORK – The Hellenic Medical Society of New York (HMSNY) held its 86th Annual Gala on December 10 at the JW Marriott Essex House in Manhattan. The well-attended black tie event honored Distinguished Physician Dr. Stephen Nicholas, Distinguished Colleague Dr. Alex Spyropoulos, and Distinguished Hellene George Logothetis as well as this year’s deserving scholarship recipients.

Dr. Stella Douris, accompanied by her fellow event co-chairs Dr. Aspasia Draga and Dr. Irene Draga, gave the welcoming remarks, thanking all those present and all those involved in the organization of the event, including the HMSNY Executive Board, HMSNY’s outgoing President Dr. Panagiotis Manolas, and Anna Sarigianni.

Dr. Douris then introduced Greece’s former Alternate Minister of Health Vassilis Kontozamanis, who spoke about how vital HMSNY’s efforts are not only for the diaspora community but also for Greece as well.

Dr. Manolas, in his remarks, noted the many achievements during the last four year, including the record amount raised for the record number of scholarships this year, he recent redesign of the HMSNY website, and the many ongoing efforts to further the HMSNY mission to unite physicians and health care professionals of Hellenic heritage in an effort to foster and support medical, research, educational and cultural programs of the highest possible standards that will enrich the quality of life of the individual and the greater New York City/Tri-state area community.

The awards were also presented to the honorees Distinguished Physician Dr. Stephen Nicholas, Distinguished Colleague Dr. Alex Spyropoulos, and Distinguished Hellene George Logothetis, all of whom accepted graciously, thanking HMSNY, and offering their advice and inspirational words in their respctive remarks.

Consul General of Greece in New York Konstantinos Konstantinou also shared his greetings at the event, noting that it was the first HMSNY gala of his tenure,

Dinner and dancing followed with a brief pause to acknowledge the scholarship recipients present who posed, along with the Executive Board members and the Scholarship Committee including Dr. Antonia Ann Kolokathis, Dr. Lorraine Chrisomalis-Valasiadis, Dr. Helen Gouzoulis-Koutsos, and HMSNY’s incoming President Dr. Antonis Gasparis, for a commemorative photo.

Dr. Lorraine Chrisomalis-Valasiadis was also presented with a gift for her extraordinary efforts for HMSNY, especially during the pandemic.

More information about the HMSNY is available online: https://hellenicmedicalsociety.org.