Studies

Until 2003, you could not become a PHD Student, if you were not the personal friend or relative of a professor or senior faculty member. In 2003, I had reached to believe that I would never be permitted to ster further for a Master or PHD Diploma. Although at school I was very good and I entered the University of Thessaloniki, with the first trial. I felt in a very difficult position and I had presented my complaint to seniot members of the Faculty, but noone helped.

But, thanks to a very good coleague in Serres, I learned that I could enter a postgraduate program with exams. I spent the whole summer holidays period to study, and I did it. What impressed me, was that I did not manage to find 2 letters of recommendation. I only managed to acquire one, from a professor of mine and I still thank him for that. It is true that many doctors and professors are willing to help you when you do not need them ( like the credit cards: borrow money when you do not need them). Good God helped, and I entered the Postgraduate Program in HPB Surgery in Democritus University of Thrace. It was much more than excellent. I was excited and I liked it very much, and if possible I would go every year!! We had the chance to take lessons from the best in the world!

Now, I dont work since 20-09-2006 and I am waiting for my next Hospital. It is very difficult to change Hospitals every year or every 6 months. When you reach to each new Hospital, most of coleagues feel somehow a competition and are kindly "sharp" and many times you have the fault for everything because you are the new doctor! I hope that this won't last for long. However it is almost impossible to take a position in the National System of Health. The criteria are difficult to understand, since they are interpreted differently by each committee....My last bad experience was with a position that was taken by a doctor 4 positions less qualified according to an other Hospital's rating. In the certain Hospital rating I was 8th and the doctor was first!! The year and month of the scores were the same, but the commitees were different.

As when talking for our past lovers we show the handsome ones only, I should certainly show you the Hospital of Serres. It was a pleasure to work in a Hospital like this. The patients were in comfortable facilities and we were very happy to see that they were satisfied. Serres is a very nice town, and is only 1,5 hour far from Thessaloniki( by bus, 1 hour by car).

A very impressing Hospital, where I attended the postgraduate Program in HPB Surgery. Indeed such Hospitals are offered not only to patients but also to the professionals of Health who work in new-built and fully furnished facilities. It cannot be compared to the tragic condition in Sismanoglion Hospital of Komotini. It is 2 different worlds.

All young specialists( from the specialty exam - 5 years later), have the right to work with a private contract in the National System of Health. This is a very important chance for doctors who are interested to work permanently in the National System of Health, because the years you collect in your cv (one by one or by half of one),are believed to help in finding a position. At the moment I have worked for 21/2 years as a non-permanent specialist in 3 different Hospitals. It is very difficult, the permanent doctors are pushing you behind all the time, and phenomena of verbal harashment are frequent.If you step to announce them further, they all help permanent doctors.

AHEPA HOSPITAL is now more facilitated than ever. In the period I was there (1996-2000), doctors had to sleep together, men and women, and in some days one bed was missing( 6 doctors and 5 beds) and one had to stay in the office. It was very difficult to work there and the food was terrible, you could not eat it even if you were hungry. Very hard work, many trauma victims. Wonderful library,wonderful librarians.