Dear Members of the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology,
It is with great pleasure and a strong sense of responsibility that I assume the role of President of the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology (HSG) for the 2026–2027 term.
As the leading scientific society in the field of Gastroenterology in Greece, the HSG is a dynamic and continuously evolving scientific community. In 2026, the Society marks 74 years of continuous service and currently comprises 1,097 members (838 specialists and 259 trainees), all of whom provide high-quality healthcare to patients with gastrointestinal diseases in both the public and private sectors.
In a specialty characterized by the rapid advancement of scientific knowledge and interventional techniques, maintaining a high level of scientific expertise and ensuring continuous professional education are essential prerequisites for delivering high-quality patient care. Over the years, the HSG has consistently supported these objectives through a broad range of scientific and educational activities, promoting the implementation of the latest diagnostic and therapeutic advances in Gastroenterology.
At a time when scientific knowledge and information are disseminated daily through numerous sources—including scientific congresses and educational meetings in Greece and abroad, online educational platforms, and scientific journals—we aspire for the HSG' s educational activities, foremost among them the Annual Panhellenic Congress of Gastroenterology and the Annals of Gastroenterology, to remain the principal reference points for Gastroenterology in Greece. The clinical, research, and educational expertise of our full members, together with the enthusiasm and potential of our gastroenterology trainees, constitute the foundation for providing reliable, unbiased, and evidence-based scientific knowledge and up-to-date information.
The primary objective of the current Executive Board is to preserve and further strengthen the successful educational tradition established by previous Boards of the HSG. We also aim to further enhance our collaboration with key stakeholders in the field, including the Hellenic Professional Association of Gastroenterologists (EPEGE) and ELIGAST, as well as with all relevant working groups and committees of the Central Health Council (KESY) and the Ministry of Health. Through these collaborations, we seek to play a leading role in shaping the national strategy for Gastroenterology, updating the specialty curriculum, and evaluating Gastroenterology training centers.
By actively participating in institutional bodies and working closely with the Ministry of Health, the Central Health Council (KESY), and the National Organization for the Provision of Health Services (EOPYY), we will strive to achieve the institutional recognition of longstanding and well-founded priorities of the gastroenterology community. Furthermore, in collaboration with Greek and international scientific societies, as well as patient associations, we aspire to contribute to the development of a comprehensive and modern framework for the care of patients with gastrointestinal diseases.
The Executive Board of the HSG and I personally will always remain available to our members. We are committed to listening carefully to your needs and to working systematically toward achieving our shared goals. The contribution of every member is invaluable. I therefore warmly invite you to participate actively in the Society' s initiatives and to contribute your ideas, knowledge, and experience.
With my highest regards,
George J. Papatheodoridis
President
Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology
