Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the HAPA 23rd Annual Meeting 2022

May 24th 2022

New Orleans, Louisiana

NOTE: This draft of the 23rd HAPA Annual Meeting in 2022 Minutes was approved by the HAPA executive committee.

Members Present:

Drs. Maria Lymberis, Georgios Karampoutakis, Lillian Markaki, Achilleas Economou, Panagiotis Gioulis, Stefania Chaikali

Members present virtually:

Drs. Philip Candilis, Eva Theodosiadis

Guests: HAPA welcomed guests of the APA annual meeting, Drs Nick Melos and Vivian Panagopoulou.

Members Absent: Drs Papas, Papadimitriou, Stratas, Fouras, Zeris, Plesons, Armenakis, Duriez, Papastrat, Silverman, Giakoumatos, Cassimatis, Alexopoulos.

HAPA Minutes

The 23rd HAPA Annual Meeting Minutes were distributed, reviewed and approved as written. The Minutes will be entered on the HAPA Website.

President’s elect Report:

Dr. Candilis warmly welcomed the new HAPA members from Greece: Drs. Markaki, Chaikali and the guests Drs Melos and Panagopoulou, and apologized for not being able to attend the meeting in person.

Dr Candilis mentioned that he was pleased to be the president of HAPA for the last 5 years and was delighted to pass on his duties to Dr George Karampoutakis. He also praised the latter for being the architect of so much of HAPAs success this past year, especially the international webinars and the conclusion of their survey of humanitarian aid-workers, now in data analysis.

President’s report:

Dr Karampoutakis thanked everyone for attending HAPAs annual meeting and expressed his enthusiasm for the honor to be taking on  as president. He warmly welcomed the new board members Drs Markaki and Chaikali. He expressed his strong belief that HAPA’s members will work collaboratively to bring together all Greek doctors of the diaspora.

HAPA Elections:

The HAPA election of officers took place today and the new board members are listed below:

President : George Karampoutakis

President elect: Phil Candilis

Secretary: Eva Theodosiadis, Stefania Chaikali

Treasurer: Lillian Markaki, Katina Ferrari

New Business:

1. Dr Maria Lymberis was overwhelmed by the great job George Karampoutakis and Philip Candilis have done so far. She mentioned the world being global now and stressed the need for all of us to work on a global level. Dr Lymberis is joining the ASPA meeting in Thessaloniki to talk about the end of life and she would like to represent HAPA in that meeting.

2. HAPA will continue its educational outreach with webinars, with research collaboration with the NGOs in collaboration with Dr Candilis’ research team to whoever designs the next project. There is still considerable interest in the refugee crisis, so Dr Candilis is looking forward to HAPA members’ ideas on that topic.

3. The two secretaries will reach out to APA and allied organizations for their membership lists (to cull Greek names), and HAPAs Treasurers will connect to exchange information on the few details of our accounts at Wells Fargo. HAPAs attorney is still Alan Almeida.

4. Dr Eva Theodosiadis mentioned that AACAP can be contacted for the names of Greek Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists.

5. Our new member Dr Nick Melos proposed to invite Dr Zafiris J. Daskalakis (Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the UC San Diego) to give a neuromodulator talk in the next HAPA assembly.

6. Dr Markaki offered to liaise with Dr George Patoulis (Regional Governor of Attica) and consider whether HAPA can offer scientific advice to the local authorities on Greek Islands which are currently dealing with a significant immigration crisis.

7. Dr Markaki will have to contact Dr Ferrari for the monthly statements of the organization.

8.  The Annual fee for membership was decided as listed below: for residents $25 and $50 for the rest.

Scientific Program

HAPA Founder’s Reflections 

Minutes of the HAPA 19th Annual Meeting 2018

5/08/2018 New York City, New York

NOTE: The HAPA executive committee approved the draft of the 2017 18th HAPA Annual Meeting Minutes. The Minutes of HAPA 2018 will be posted on the HAPA website after they are approved at the 20th HAPA Annual Meeting in May 2019.

Members Present:

Drs. George Petrides, Philip Candilis, Maria Lymberis, Nick Togias, Georgios Karampoutakis, Apostolos Tsiamis, Georgios Pagkalos, Anna Polyniki and HAPA’s presenter Professor Pavlos Kymissis.

Members Absent:

Drs Papas, Matthews-Ferrari, Christodoulou, Vidalis, Papadimitriou, Stratas, Fouras, Zeris, Plesons, Armenakis, Duriez, Papastrat Silverman, Giakoumatos, Cassimatis, Alexopoulos,

HAPA President Dr. Candilis called the meeting to order at 6:15PM.

HAPA Annual Meeting Minutes

The minutes of both the 17^th and the 18th HAPA Annual Meetings were distributed, reviewed and approved as written, with minor corrections. The final corrected Minutes will be entered on the HAPA Website. This draft of the 19^th HAPA Meeting will be reviewed by the Executive Committee, will be voted at the 2019 Annual meeting and also posted on the website.

President’s Report:

Dr. Candilis welcomed all and noted that HAPA members of the Executive Committee Drs. Katina Ferrari Mathews and Arthur Papas regret that they are unable to join us today.

He welcomed the psychiatrists from Greece & Cyprus to our HAPA meeting:  Drs Georgios Karampoutakis, Georgios Pagkalos, Anna Polyniki, Apostolos Tsiamis.

He also welcomed the new HAPA members: Drs. Apostolos Tambakis and Emanuel Voyiaziakis and the returning HAPA members Drs. Nick Togias, Stella Lymberis and Dimitra Hrisikos.

He noted that his term of office as HAPA President HAPA is especially focused on the Refugee Crisis and Greece’s response. At the 2017 HAPA meeting, Dr. Candilis presented his work in Greece. His work is on going and currently he is exploring possibilities of further consultations in Greece with the Greek Ambassador to the US and the First Secretary US General Xenakis.

Dr Candilis work in Greece lead to a discussion of a possible collaboration in forensic psychiatry on a HAPA/HPA project in Greece.

ACTION: There was agreement that Drs. Candilis, Karampoutakis and Tsiamis will draft a proposal for such project involving psychiatric patients in the Greek Justice system. The project and the proposal will be discussed by Skype at the next HAPA Executive Committee meeting. This collaboration between HAPA & HPA members on mental health needs in Greece is a major step for HAPA and it is made possible thru the leadership of HAPA President Dr. Candilis.

HAPA Founder’s Report

Dr. Lymberis presented a short history of HAPA. She noted that since the founding of HAPA, as the Founder, she has been functioning as the Executive Director with NO paid staff. The HAPA Executive Committee has continued to meet by conference calls on regular intervals. She emphasized that HAPA has survived for 20 years because of devotion to the mission of HAPA and the support of HAPA Officers and HAPA Board members. The focus and priorities of the Executive Committee continue to be: the HAPA Annual meeting, increasing HAPA membership, resolving the HAPA incorporation, and especially promoting HAPA’s links with the Hellenic Psychiatric Association, (HPA) and other medical, psychiatric and mental health professional groups and individual psychiatrists in US, Greece and in the Diaspora.

Dr. Lymberis reported on her work with Dr. Papas to incorporate HAPA in Massachusetts. The Boston attorney Alan B. Almeida, J.D. LLM of

Connor & Hilliard was consulted. Having helped Dr. Papas in the past incorporate the HAPA of Boston, attorney Almeida now recommended to the Boards of both organizations the following steps to “convert” the existing HAPA of Boston into HAPA:

        …In order to ‘convert” the existing non-profit Corporation, (i.e. The Hellenic American Psychiatric Association of Boston, Inc.) into the Hellenic American Psychiatric Association, Inc., all that is required is to change the name of the Corporation by a filing with the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Office where the entity is incorporated.  This name change will not alter the Corporation non-profit, tax-exempt charitable status.  The Members, Officers and Directors of the new entity can also be changed at the same time with the same filing with the Secretary of State’s Office.  In order to authorize these changes and the filing with the Secretary of state’s office, the , requires a  vote by the current Sole Member and Director of Corporation.  I have prepared such a vote which is attached hereto.  After the name and officer change, the new entity will be required to file an Annual Report listing the current officers and directors with the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Office and a Form 990 each year with the IRS.  If the entity’s total annual revenues are less than $50,000.00 in any year, the entity can file a so-called “postcard Form 990 which is a very simple filing which you can likely handle yourself. The legal fee for doing all of the above (courtesy charge) would be $500.00.  The cost to file the forms necessary to change the name, officers and directors is $ 100.00  .  The yearly cost to file the Annual Report is $15.00..  There is no fee to file the Form 990”.

Dr. Lymberis noted that HAPA of Boston’s Board had already voted and approved this recommendation now it has to be approved  by HAPA at this meeting. She moved a motion for approval.

MOTION: to approve Mr. Almeida’s recommendation was unanimous.

Implementation by the HAPA Treasurer, with the assistance of the Executive Committee, will be done as soon as possible.

HAPA Treasurer’s & Membership Reports

HAPA Treasurer, Dr. Mathews-Ferrari, provided a report: HAPA continues to have NO deficit and the HAPA Bank account at WFB has a balance of $1,200.00 (before the dues that will be collected at this May 2018 meeting).

HAPA Membership Committee Chair, Dr. Papas was not able to provide a report. As always he is requesting that all HAPA members work to recruit HAPA members.

HAPA Nominating Committee

HAPA Officers for term 2017-2020: In 2017 due to time restraints, there was approval that the nominations/elections for HAPA Officers for term 2017-2020 be deferred to this meeting and the terms of office were extended. Dr. Candilis as the Chair of the HAPA Nominating Committee noted that there was no set slate and that nominations were now open.

Dr. Lymberis noted that in the past HPA members were elected and served as HAPA Board officers. However, there has never been a HAPA President Elect from Greece. She added that now with efficient and affordable, free, global communications this is a real option. Following a brief discussion the following were unanimously elected:

HAPA President Elect: George Karampoutakis, MD

HAPA Secretary:          Georgios Pagkalos, MD

HAPA Treasurer:          Nick Togios, MD

HAPA Counselor:          Apostolos Tsiamis, MD

Congratulations to ALL.

Dr. Lymberis noted that his election is a major/new step forward for HAPA: “For me it is the fulfillment of my vision for HAPA. Finally, I see that the time for me to step down from the responsibility of running HAPA is near & I welcome it.”

Reports from Greece:

The following is Professor Christodoulou’s email dated 4/30/18

Dear Maria and Friends
Thank you for the communication.
The Hellenic Psychiatric Association is organizing its annual Panhellenic Congress at the Hippocratic island of Kos on 17-20 May. One of the invited speakers is Prof. Mohammed Abou-Saleh, Professor of Psychiatry at St. George’s Hospital in London who is of Syrian origin and has published with me on issues of refugees in British Journal of Psychiatry International.
I am glad that Dr Pagkalos is running for a position in the board. I think someone from the “mainland” should participate. At some stage all you people who live in USA must decide to take part in a Panhellenic congress and provide the opportunity to Greek colleagues to meet you and establish contact. For us in Greece it is becoming increasingly difficult to travel abroad.
I am glad that Gabriel Ivbijaro has become the International Caucus leader. Gabriel has succeeded me in the Presidency of the World Federation for Mental Health and although he faced great difficulties due to chronic problems of malfunction in this organization he managed well.
Best regards to all
ΚΑΛΗ ΠΡΩΤΟΜΑΓΙΑ
George Christodoulou

My email to Dr. Vidalis requesting his report was returned. I will continue to try to contact him.

Scientific Program

        This was a very special and stimulating presentation by Professor Paul Kymissis, MD, DFAPA, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, Former Dean, Founding Chairman & Professor of Psychiatry, St George’s University of London at the University of Nicosia Medical Programme. His talk will also be available on the HAPA website:

“Recent developments in Medical Education in Cyprus: The University of Nicosia Experience”

        Professor Kymissis’s presentation covered some of the developments in Cyprus after the Trauma of the Turkish Invasion. He detailed the establishments of a number of Academic Programs by the Government and by Private Groups. He detailed and focused on the collaborative effort between the St George’s University of London and the University of Nicosia in establishing the now very successful Medical School. This program is now on the 6th year. It has about 700 students from about 40 countries.

        His presentation also covered the principles of the academic program, the Clinical experience of the Students, the impact the Medical School has on the general Medical Society and the challenges, problems of the Program.

        During the discussion that followed Professor Kymissis’s presentation, Dr. Anna Polyniki,MD Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Nicosia Medical School, provided further details about the functioning of the Nicosia program. Her remarks added significantly to the presentation and to the lively discussion that followed.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:15PM with members going to Avra Restaurant for a delicious dinner.

HAPA Founder’s Reflections

19^th HAPA Annual meeting

As HAPA Founder I feel compelled to share my reflections about the just completed highly successful and historic 19^th Annual HAPA meeting.

        First, WELCOME to ALL who joined us. Specifically, our returning HAPA member Dr. Hrisikos, new members of HAPA from the USA Drs. Tambakis and Voyiaziakis and especially those from our homeland of Greece and Cyprus: Drs Karampoutakis, Pagkalos Tsiamis and Polykini. Your presence at HAPA’s 19th Annual meeting in NYC is a confirmation of the VALUE of HAPA. By joining to work with us the vision of HAPA’s growth thru collaboration with HPA can become a reality.

        This collaboration is central to the very existence and future growth of HAPA. It is the possibilities of this vision that has guided me to both found HAPA and to sustain it since 1999 by functioning as its Executive Director. HAPA is here because of the devoted work of the officers of HAPA during all these years. Working for HAPA is a labor of LOVE for all of us and I am delighted to have you all with us.

        I also wish to welcome our new HAPA members: US physician retired surgeon Dr. Apostolos Tambakis who came to see what we psychiatrists are doing. I trust that he found our meeting interesting and look forward to your participation.  I am also welcoming as a new member Dr. Emanuel Voyiaziakis who is lucky to be working with our HAPA Past President George Petrides who invited him to our meeting. I am thankful to Dr. Petrides for his unwavering support to me personally and to HAPA. He has been mentoring and bringing into HAPA many young Greek and US psychiatrists. Dr. Petrides also arranged for the dinner that followed our meeting at AVRA, a very special Greek restaurant.

        Before closing, a few words about the history of HAPA-HPA relationship: HAPA’s first contact with HPA has been thru Professor George Christodoulou who is also one of the founders of HAPA. He is the Athens HAPA link while Professor Athanasios Vidalis has been HAPA’s link with Thessaloniki. In the early years many Greek colleagues came from Greece for the APA meetings funded by pharma    companies. However, very few came to the HAPA Annual meetings as I was not successful in my publicity efforts for our HAPA meetings. During the early years, HAPA did participate at the HPA Congress twice by offering HAPA scientific sessions that were very well attended and HPA members were interested in HAPA. However, our good start abruptly ended with the US and world wide economic depression that seriously impacted psychiatrists both in the US and Greece. Recruiting and travel became even more difficult.  Dr. Yannis Zervas was the only one who was able to attend and was a presenter at an Annual HAPA meeting. He was elected, served and contributed as a HAPA officer.

Over the last 10 plus years there were occasional dark thoughts in my mind that our efforts to keep HAPA going may reach the same DEAD END as those of the Philadelphia Psychiatrists who, years before I started HAPA in 1999, had started a similar effort but gave up. Yet, knowing that HAPA is needed and with the support of HAPA officers and HAPA Board members we just persevered. Clearly, in our global world HAPA’s collaboration with HPA is a must. Finally, now with the election of our HAPA/HPA members and the years of perseverance of all of us in HAPA, the vision of collaboration can become a reality.

        At this 19^th Annual HAPA’s featuring of the Nicosia Medical School in Cyprus is very timely. HAPA is honored to have the FOUNDER of this school present his pioneering work at our New York meeting. A special Thanks goes to past HAPA President Dr. Petrides as he made this highly inspirational meeting possible by inviting his fellow Cypriotes Professor Kymissis and Dr. Polyniki.  Professor Kymissis’s presentation detailed the amazing results of his efforts in founding the Nicosia medical school. This school is now known for EXCELLENCE in training the physicians of tomorrow. With students coming to the school from all over the world, entrance is highly competitive. This is the fourth medical school in the island of Cyprus. It a prestigious school and part of the famed St George’s Medical School of England. Professor Kymissis work’s is a living example of the enduring value of the HELLENIC HERITAGE with its emphasis on the pursuit of excellence emphasizing the uniqueness of each individual human being and the need for each to know oneself and work for knowledge with “ARETI”.

        The HAPA election of Dr Karampoutakis as the first HAPA President Elect from Greece with both Dr. Pagkalos as HAPA Secretary, Dr, Tsiamis as HAPA Counselor also from Greece is a further demonstration of HAPA’s commitment to be the link for collaboration between HAPA & APA. The fact that HAPA Treasurer Elect, Dr. Togias, is the only HAPA officer from the US in this election cycle, is both a major step for HAPA and a challenge for HAPA & HPA. Congrats to ALL.

See you in my home state of sunny California at the May 2019 APA/HAPA annual meetings.

Respectfully Submitted

Maria T. Lymberis, MD

HAPA Founder & Past President

Minutes of the HAPA 18th Annual Meeting 2017

5/17/17 San Diego

NOTE: This draft of the 2017 17th HAPA Annual Meeting Minutes was approved by the HAPA executive committee. The Minutes will be posted on the HAPA website after they are ratified at the 18th HAPA Annual Meeting in May 2018.

Members Present:
Drs. Arthur Papas, Katina Ferrari, Philip Candilis, Socrates Pappas, Pavle Loksovic, Nick Mellos, Helen Gevas, Konstantina Mellos, Nick Togias, James Rigopoulos, Allen Dyer, Maria Lymberis.

Members Absent:
Drs. Christodoulou, Vidalis, Papadimitriou, Stratas, Zeris, Plesons, Armenakis, Duriez, Papastrat

Minutes of the 17th HAPA Annual Meeting in Atlanta Georgia were distributed, but item was postponed for discussion at the 2018 meeting.

The 2017 HAPA Annual meeting was abbreviated due to the speakers having to make presentations at the Council on Psychiatry and Law and the fact that the entire HAPA membership was invited and attended a special presentation by the APA Seniors special CME screening of the SCPS Documentary film: Art of Storytelling. The invitation came from the APA Seniors as Dr. Lymberis is one of the SCPS psychiatrists who is featured on this educational film. As a result this meeting was limited to the scientific presentation of HAPA President Dr. Candilis. The rest of the 2017 Agenda was deferred for the next Annual meeting in NYC on May 8th 2018.

President’s Report:
Dr. Candilis called the meeting to order at 6 pm. He welcomed new and past members, and introduced his colleague Allen Dyer, MD, PhD, who leads the George Washington University Medical School Global Mental Health Program. Dr. Candilis’s presentation of the work they both did in Greece followed:

Scientific Presentation:

Dr. Candilis’ presentation in pictures and slides detailed the plight of the refugees in the Greek camps. He presented data on conditions in the camps and the high stress that refugees and aid-workers are facing. Dr. Candilis and his partners are participating as psychiatrists on the invitation of one of the many philanthropic organizations that is working in Greece in this refugee crisis as well as Doctors Without Borders. This was the second of their annual trips to consult and teach resilience to exhausted aid-workers in Athens and Lesbos. They provided what is essentially psychiatric emergency consultation and assistance to the volunteers. The presentation ended with a picture of the Greek refugees of the 1920s who, like the current ones, were at that time in the same situation. This clearly conveyed the full meaning of the title of the presentation, “It‘s our turn now”! This was a timely presentation of major interest. As many members have relatives or parents who were refugees from the 1920s “Katastrophy,” this was a very emotional and heartfelt meeting.

Meeting was adjourned as members moved to attend the APA Seniors film screening.

See you all in May in NYC

Respectfully Submitted
Maria T Lymberis, MD
HAPA Founder and Immediate Past President

Minutes of the HAPA 17th Annual Meeting 2016

5/17/16 Atlanta Georgia

NOTE: This draft of the 2016 17th HAPA Annual Meeting Minutes was approved by the HAPA executive committee. The Minutes will be posted on the HAPA website after they are ratified at the 18th HAPA Annual Meeting in May 2017.

Members Present:
Drs. Katina Matthews-Ferrari, Maria Lymberis, Arthur Papas, George Petrides, Philip Candilis, Emmanuel Cassimatis, Alexopoulos, Togias, Silverman, Giakoumatos

Members Absent:
Drs Candilis, Matthews-Ferrari, Christodoulou, Vidalis, Papadimitriou, Stratas, Fouras, Zeris, Plesons, Armenakis, Duriez, Papastrat.

Minutes of the 16th HAPA Annual Meeting in Toronto Canada were distributed, reviewed and approved as written.

President’s Report:
Dr. Lymberis called the meeting to order at 6 pm. She welcomed all especially our speaker Dr. Alexopoulos who is part of the founders of HAPA and a past HAPA officer, and our new HAPA members: Drs Heather Silverman and Iraklis Giakoumatos. Dr. Lymberis noted that both Drs Katina Mathiews-Ferrari and Philip Candilis send their regrets as they are not able to join us today.
Dr Lymberis stressed that the HAPA Executive Committee has continued to meet by conference calls on regular intervals and thanked all for their devotion and persistence. The focus of the Executive Committee continues on these priorities: planning the Annual HAPA Meeting, increasing HAPA membership and maintaining links with other National Hellenic Organizations, resolving HAPA’s IRS status, continuing in efforts to both maintain and further HAPA’s link with the Hellenic Psychiatric Association,(HPA) and the APA.
Dr. Lymberis asked all to keep trying to recruit new HAPA members.

President’s Elect Report
Dr. Lymberis provided a summary of Dr. Candilis’s report: He has continued his contacts with the Washington DC attorney and with HAPA Treasurer Dr. Katina Matthews they are preparing the requested additional information about HAPA’s operations from HAPA’s inception to the present. All members of the Executive Committee are also available in assisting them, as HAPA has NO paid staff.

HAPA Treasurer’s & Membership Reports:
Dr. Mathews’s was not able to provide a specific report at this time. However, during the last executive committee conference call in April 2016 the HAPA Treasurer reported that HAPA continues to have NO deficit and that the HAPA Bank account at WFB had a balance of around $1,800.00 (before the dues that will be collected at this May 2016 meeting). Dr. Papas Chair of the HAPA Membership Committee again noted the need for recruiting more members and provided a list of paid members.

Reports from Greece:

1) News from Professor George Christodoulou
George remains very active and continues to serve as HAPA’s main link with HPA. His emails keep HAPA informed on major activities involving the Hellenic Psychiatric Association and Greece. The most important news so far in 2016 is THE ATHENS DECLARATION OF MARCH 25th 2016. HAPA’s Executive Committee voted to sign on in support of this Declaration. As the HAPA representative I circulated the Declaration in APA both at the APA Board level and at the newly established APA Caucus on Global Mental Health meeting during this 2016 meeting in Atlanta as well as to the various DBs requesting that they consider becoming cosigners and post the Declaration in their Newsletters.

The text of The Athens Declaration is as follows:

ATHENS ANTI-WAR DECLARATION

The deleterious Mental Health consequences of human-made disasters are well-known and humanity stands witness to their catastrophic impact.
War is the worst of human-made disasters and has tragic and unacceptable consequences on the mental health of its victims. The catastrophic impact of war on mental health is longitudinal, transgenerational, and amplified by refugee crises both in countries of origin and elsewhere.

According to the WHO (2004) mental health promotion should include efforts for Peace, in view of the well-established mental health consequences of war conflicts. It is therefore within the rights and obligations of the international mental health community represented by the various organizations that express its views to address this issue and call for :

1. Termination of war conflicts, wherever they occur
2. Psychological and material support to the victims of war conflicts : refugees, internally displaced persons, asylum seekers, immigrants, psychologically affected or incapacitated persons and any other category of people whose mental health is at risk or who have been damaged by war
3. Psychosocial and humanitarian material support to the citizens of the host countries whose mental health systems are extremely challenged by the consequences of war conflicts
4. Call for urgent and coordinated action to attain the above goals

In the words of JFK “Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind”.

Given in Athens, 25 March 2016

My letter as HAPA President to APA’s GPC urging joining as cosigners follows:

“I am proud that psychiatry in Greece together with the Balkan & Serbian psychiatric organizations are initiating the recognition of the mental health consequences of war. Technology has provided tools that make clear the damaging consequences of war not only to present generations but to future ones because of the Intra- generational Transmission of Trauma. Nuclear proliferation, drones and other technological means keep raising the threat to all forms of life on our planet. This Declaration calling attention to mental health consequences is a “wake up” call. I respectfully urge that the APA be part of this effort and become a cosigner”.

Professor Christodoulou also noted:

“You realize of course that for Greek members of HAPA it is becoming increasingly difficult to participate in meetings in USA. In view of this could you consider the option of organizing some meetings in Greece? If this proposal is acceptable I could suggest the following:
a) April 10 to 13, 2016 there will be the 22nd Panhellenic Congress of Psychiatry, the main event in Greece in the area of Mental Health, to be held in Porto Navarino Hotel in Pylos, Messinia, the best hotel in Greece and perhaps internationally.
B) October 9 to 11, 2016 there will be the International Congress of the World Federation for Mental Health, to be held in Athens, Aegli Zappeiou in collaboration with the Hellenic Psychiatric Association. As you know I am the President of this organization (the WFMH) and I can provide a room for us for our administrative meeting or other activities.
In any case, whether you decide to hold a meeting in Greece or not it would be nice if the American-Greek mental health community could participate in meetings of the Greek psychiatric community individually. Unfortunately we are not in a position to offer you hospitality, under the circumstances, but we will do our best to make you feel comfortable”

Dr Lymberis responded that HAPA is not YET ready to plan any meeting in Greece. HAPA’s focus remains building its US member base.

2) News from Athanasios Vidalis, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Vidalis initiated a proposal to celebrate “Aristotle’s days”. September 21 to 25. 2016 In cooperation with “International Society of Quality Medicine (ISoQM) and The International College of Geriatric Psychiatry, proposes that HAPA consider a Hellenic-American scientific meeting in September 2016 for the “Aristotle’s Days” meeting that could be held in Thessaloniki at the Makedonia Palace Hotel or in Hakidiki at Porto Carras Hotel.

Dr Vidallis noted that Aristotle, was born in Stagira of Halkidiki, in 384 BD. Clearly there is a need to celebrate the heritage of his intellectual work that “continues to exercise influence on contemporary Western civilization in many ways”. In an April 2016 email, Dr. Vidalis noted: “Right now, for the Aristotle Symposium to happen, we need at last 40 (preferably 60) US participants to be willing to attend. Do you think this is realistic or achievable?”

Dr Lymberis responded that while such a meeting is clearly worthy of serious consideration, regrettably at this time HAPA is in NOT in a position to consider or contribute in this effort.

Scientific Presentation:

Dr. Alexopoulos is the recipient of multiple Awards among them:
Presidential Commendation for Contributions to Geriatric Psychiatry, American Psychiatric Association (APA) 2013
Cutting Edge Award, Doctors of Distinction, 2016.
2017 Legacies Award, LifeForce in Later Years

His presentation: “Neurobiology Based Behavioral Interventions for Later Life Depression” was extremely relevant and was very well received. Clearly his work has wide applications in a variety of clinical settings. As promised he has provided links for his presentation in a power point form. Should you have trouble uploading this you can request it directly by email:

NEUROBIOL BEHAV INTERVENTIONS.ppt

Meeting was adjourned at 8:15PM. Many members joined for fun dinner.

Respectfully Submitted
Maria T Lymberis, MD
HAPA Founding President

Meeting & post HAPA Dinner pictures are posted on the HAPA website.

Minutes of the HAPA 15th Annual Meeting 2014

5/06/14 New York City, NY

NOTE: This draft of the 2014 15th HAPA Annual Meeting Minutes was approved by the HAPA executive committee. The Minutes are posted on the HAPA website and will be ratified at the 16th HAPA Annual Meeting in May 2015 in Toronto, Canada

Members Present:

Drs. Katina Matthews-Ferrari, Maria Lymberis, Arthur Papas, George Petrides, Philip Candilis, Emmanuel Cassimatis, George Fouras, Nick Togias, Dennis Plesons, Stamatic Zeris, Ippolytos Kalofonos, Alexis Armenakis Antoun Manganas,Dimitra Hrisihos, Vasiliki Toulios, Nicholas Togias, Helen Papastrat, Mary Mavromatis,Eleanor Lavretsky, Mary Kentros, Stamatis Zeris, Stella Lymberis, Vasilis Latoussakis, Eugenia Katitzoglou, Maria Benetos, Constantine Benetos, Foti Benetos, Thomas Mallios, Sophie Duriez

Guests: Drs Bruce Herschfield, Sophie Duriez, Stuart Tubis and Andrew Stephanopoulos.

Members Absent:

Drs Christodoulou, Vidalis, Papadimitriou, Stratas.

Minutes of the 15th HAPA Annual Meeting in San Francisco were distributed, reviewed and approved as written.

President’s Report:

Dr. Matthews-Ferrari called the meeting to order at 6 pm. She noted her great pleasure in welcoming so many members to our meeting. Clearly the East Coast and especially NYC as a key port of entry to the US, is home to many Greeks as well as psychiatrists from Greece who are in training programs of this area.

Dr Lymberis thanked Dr Matthews-Ferrari for her devoted service to HAPA and for her willingness to stay on as Treasurer which is a demanding job. She noted that this is the largest HAPA attendance to date with the exception of HAPA’s inaurguration in 1990.

Dr Lymberis presented a short update of HAPA activities focusing on continuing efforts to built up the HAPA membership and resolving HAPA’s IRS status. In addition, HAPA now has formal links with a number of Hellenic Medical organizations that operate in the US. These organizations have agreed to also link HAPA on their websites thus offering increased opportunities for networking. These are: Hellenic Medical Society of New York, New England Hellenic Medical & Dental Society, Hellenic Medical Society of Pennsylvania, Federation of Hellenic Medical Societies of North America, Hellenic American Medical and Dental Society of Southern California, Hellenic Bioscientific Association in the USA. Efforts to further link HAPA with other organizations are on going.

President’s Elect Report & HAPA Elections:

Dr. Candilis noted that due to personal reasons he cannot devote the time needed as HAPA President at this time. He thanked Dr Lymberis for continuing to do the “lion’s share of HAPA’s work”. He proposed a number of changes to the slate of candidates for this year’s elections of HAPA officers for 2014-2017. Specifically he recommended that he remain in the position of HAPA President Elect, with Dr Lymberis as HAPA President and Dr Matthews-Ferrari as HAPA Treasurer, with Dr Yannis Zervas continuing as HAPA Secretary and Stamatis Zeris as HAPA Councilor. Discussion followed. The formal motion to accept the changes as noted was made and passed unanimously.

Dr Lymberis thanked all but especially Drs Candilis, Matthews-Ferrari and Papas for their “hard work and support. Your work helped HAPA survive. I could not have done this without you. ALL of us in HAPA are grateful”.

Treasurer’s Report:

Dr Papas reported the HAPA’s finances are slowly improving. HAPA banking remains at WFB. He will transfer the HAPA finances to Dr Matthews-Ferrari who is taking over as Treasurer at the conclusion of this meeting. Dr Lymberis noted that Dr Papas had served HAPA for many years with “devotion & distinction” not only as a HAPA officer but also as Chair of the HAPA Membership committee. She thanked him as he is now stepping down from both positions. Dr Lymberis asked for volunteers to fill that post. Dr Papas will remain until his replacement is found. He will also continue as a member of the HAPA membership committee and help the new chair.

Reports from Greece:

Professor George Christodoulou continues to be the main link of HAPA with HPA. His email below states his views about the current state of our partnership as of the start of 2014:

“You realize of course that for Greek members of HAPA it is becoming increasingly difficult to participate in meetings in USA. In view of this could you consider the option of organizing some meetings in Greece? If this proposal is acceptable I could suggest the following:

April 10 to 13, 2014 there will be the 22nd Panhellenic Congress of Psychiatry, the main event in Greece in the area of Mental Health, to be held in Porto Navarino Hotel in Pylos, Messinia, the best hotel in Greece and perhaps internationally.

October 9 to 11, 2014 there will be the International Congress of the World Federation for Mental Health, to be held in Athens, Aegli Zappeiou in collaboration with the Hellenic Psychiatric Association. As you know I am the President of this organization (the WFMH) and I can provide a room for us for our administrative meeting or other activities.

In any case, whether you decide to hold a meeting in Greece or not it would be nice if the American-Greek mental health community could participate in meetings of the Greek psychiatric community individually. Unfortunately we are not in a position to offer you hospitality, under the circumstances, but we will do our best to make you feel comfortable”

Dr Lymberis noted that HAPA is not YET ready to plan any meeting in Greece as the focus of HAPA at this time is to solidify its member base here in the US. Thus for the immediate future it is individual HPA members who attend meetings of HAPA in the US or HAPA members who can attend HPA meetings in Greece that can be the person to person connection while the organizational connection remains IT dependent. Dr Lymberis will work to implement shared links on the respective websites of HPA & HAPA. This will further facilitate mutual communications and keep members of both organizations informed.

Scientific Presentation:

Brain stimulation, New frontiers & challenges: From ECT to Transcranial direct-current stimulation

George Petrides, MD, FAPA.

President International Society for ECT and Neurostimulation

Associate Professor, Hofstra Northshore-LIJ School of Medicine

HAPA’s very own Past President.

Presentation Summary:

Dr Petrides presented a review of the latest research data on the efficacy and safety of brain stimulation methods. More specifically he presented data on the use, efficacy and indications of the oldest and most effective brain-stimulation technique used today ie. electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and discussed the state of ECT practice in the US and the rest of the world.

He then discussed the newer brain stimulation techniques and the rationale behind their use, the stage of their development and the existing data on their efficacy..

These techniques are:

a)Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) a technique that entails the application of magnetic fields over the scalp to alter certain electrobiological properties of cortical cells. Numerous studies have been performed and the shown moderate results in treating depression and

1. b) Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) that uses also magnetic fields but stronger than those in TMS in order to cause a generalized seizure and mimic the effects of ECT,
2. c) Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) a technique that requires the implantation of a stimulator on the left vagus nerve at the neck so areas of the brain connected to the vagal system are stimulated indirectly. So far modest results have been reported for the treatment of depression.
3. d) Deep Braib stimulation (DBS) a promising but highly experimental technique that requires the surgical implantation of stimulating electrodes at specific areas of the brain believed to be involved with the pathophysiology of depression.

And e) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) a newer and highly experimental technique of application of low amplitude direct currents on the scalp to enhance cognitive  functions.

This was a cutting edge comprehensive presentation that was very well received and a lively discussion followed.

Adjournment:

Dr Katina Matthews-Ferrari closed the meeting at 8:15PM

Following the conclusion of the meeting a large group of members met for a very enjoyable Dutch treat dinner at Avra, a New York Greek restaurant known for excellent food.

Everyone was encouraged to join the 16^th HAPA Annual meeting in Toronto Canada on May 19th 2015 in connection with the APA Annual meeting. For further information see the HAPA website.

Respectfully Submitted

Maria T. Lymberis, MD

HAPA Founder & President

Minutes of the HAPA 14th Annual Meeting 2013

5/21/13 San Francisco, CA

NOTE: This draft of the 2013 14th HAPA Annual Meeting Minutes was approved by the HAPA executive committee. The Minutes are posted on the HAPA website and will be ratified at the 15th HAPA Annual Meeting in May 2014 in New York City, NY

Members Present:

Drs. Katina Matthews-Ferrari, Maria Lymberis, Arthur Papas, George Petrides, Philip Candilis, Emmanuel Cassimatis, George Fouras, Nick Togias, Dennis Plesons, Stamatic Zeris, Ippolytos Kalofonos, Iannis Zervas

Guests: Bruce Herschfield, Marcia Goin, George Tacticos

Members Absent:
Drs Christodoulou, Vidalis, Papadimitriou.

Minutes of the 13th HAPA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia were distributed, reviewed and approved as written.

President’s Report:

Dr. Matthews-Ferrari called the meeting to order at 6 pm.

She welcomed all & especially Dr. Zervas who is the first member of HPA & HAPA to attend from Greece in over 4 years. She again stressed that her goal as HAPA President remains membership and recruitment. Both Drs Candilis & Papas are working with her in this effort. She noted that she expects that HAPA’s IRS status will be resolved by September 2013. Once that is done a major membership effort will be done targeting various community organizations such as the Hellenic Medical Association of New York, the Greek-American Behavioral Sciences Institute (GABSI), AHEPA, the Hellenic College in Boston (we have the Dean’s contact information), Greek Orthodox churches and academic centers soliciting membership and financial support. She thanked Arthur and Phil for their recruitment efforts for Boston Greek/Greek-American colleagues and for Dr. Papas’s recruitment of Thomas Mallios,PhD, past president of GABSI, whose HAPA Affiliate membership was approved at the 2012 Annual meeting. She noted that after the announcement of the 15th HAPA Annual meeting is prepared she plans to invite the current President of GABSI to join HAPA and request that our announcement is distributed to GABSI members since we will be meeting in NYC in 2014.

President’s Elect Report:
Dr. Candilis presented the current list of dues paying HAPA members numbering just 12 people. Even with the good attendance at this meeting HAPA is still in the red, carrying a debt that is being paid down very slowly.

2013 marks the end of the current HAPA officers term of office. He reminded the members that at the 2012 meeting there was unanimous agreement with the recommendation to maintain the current HAPA officers for yet another term as that is consistent with the HAPA By Laws and keep working to increase the HAPA membership and bring in new members.

Treasurer’s Report:
Drs Papas & Candilis reported that the transfer of the HAPA banking data from Dr. Fouras was completed and that the HAPA banking has remained at WFB as agreed in 2012. HAPA continues to run a deficit.

Reports from Greece:
Dr. Christodoulou reported on the successful March 2013 International Congress on “Crises and Disasters: Psychosocial consequences” that took place in Athens. This Congress was sponsored by the World Federation for Mental Health, the Hellenic Psychiatric Association and the Psychiatric Association for Eastern Europe and the Balkans,(a division of the WPA) took place. A brief summary of the proceedings for the HAPA website was requested.

Dr. Vidalis’s report on the The Cube of Psychiatry meeting of February 2013 in Thessaloniki is pending.

The economic conditions in Greece continue to be dire.

HAPA Nominations:

Dr. Candilis presented the Nominations Committee report of the HAPA Officers for 2013-2016. Dr. Papas’s he term of office as HAPA Councilor was concluded and Dr. Plesons agreed to accept the post. The full slate of HAPA candidates was unanimously elected:
HAPA President: Katina Matthews-Ferrari, MD
HAPA President Elect: Philip Candilis, MD
HAPA Treasurer: Arthur Papas MD
HAPA Secretary: Yannis Zervas, MD
Dennis J Plesons, MD was elected HAPA Councilor for 2013-2016.

Scientific Presentations:

Improving the Quality of Medical Education Worldwide: The Contributions of ECFMG and FAIMER

Download Powerpoint Presentation

Emmanuel Cassimatis, MD, DLFAPA,
Past HAPA President
Distinguished F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine,
USUHS, Professor of Psychiatry;
President and CEO, Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
Chair, Board of Directors, Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER).

Women’s Mental Health in Athens: The first 10 years (2003-2013)

Download Powerpoint Presentation

Iannis Zervas, MD
HAPA Councilor
Associate Professor of Psychiatry,
Athens University Medical School
Chief of Women’s Mental Health & Perinatal Psychiatric Clinic, Eginition Hospital

There was a lively discussion during & following these exceptional, outstanding & very stimulating presentations.

Adjournment: Dr Katina Matthews-Ferrari closed the meeting at 8:15PM
A group of members met for the Dutch Treat dinner at the Kokkari’s famous Greek restaurant at the conclusion of the meeting.

The 15th HAPA Annual meeting will be on Tuesday May 6th 2014 in connection with the APA Annual meeting in New York City, NY. Details will be on the HAPA website soon

Respectfully Submitted
Maria T. Lymberis, MD
HAPA Founder & Past President
&
Philip Candilis, MD
HAPA Secretary