International Program in Medicine, University of Crete

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International Program in Medicine, University of Crete

The English-taught International Program in Medicine at the University of Crete. Innovation. Humanity. Research. Welcome to our world.

03/06/2026

Exam season often comes with the feeling that there is always one more chapter to read, one more page to revise, one more hour to stay awake.

In reality, effective studying is not always about spending more time at your desk.
Testing your knowledge, getting enough sleep, discussing difficult concepts with others, and taking purposeful breaks can make a meaningful difference in the way you learn and retain information.

As the examination period continues, here are four reminders that may help you study with greater focus and balance!

30/05/2026

Meet our professor Konstantina Chanoumidou

🔸I hold a BSc in Biology and a PhD in Stem Cell Biology and Neurobiology. I conducted postdoctoral research in Germany and Greece, focusing on pharmacology and translational neuroscience. Since 2026, I have served as Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at the Medical School of the University of Crete.

🔸My goal is to inspire students and spark their interest in medical research, while highlighting the value of solid scientific thinking. I would like to encourage curiosity, critical thinking, team spirit and an evidence-based way of understanding medicine, helping to actively contribute to future scientific progress.

🔸Teaching faculty excellence and small class sizes that allow close interaction between students and faculty, fostering an engaging learning environment.

🔸Traveling, reading and spending time in nature with my daughter help me recharge!

29/05/2026

Congrats to our 3rd year student Sirja Koutonen!

Sirja has just presented an abstract of her first paper “Artificial Intelligence in phenotyping/ genotyping COPD patients: current status and future perspectives” at the 6th SHARE Congress in Crete.

Together with her professor, Dr. Nikolaos Siafakas and contributions from Katerina Antoniu and Tobias Hogan, the paper is now being finalised and ready to travel around the world!

Thumbs up, Sirja - keep up the great work!

26/05/2026

Did you know that IMED UOC students recently completed certified training in Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation? 🚑

Around 55–60 students from the 2nd and 3rd year participated in the educational seminar, gaining both theoretical knowledge and hands-on training in life-saving techniques.

The seminar was organized by Professor Alexandra Papaioannou, Professor of Anesthesiology at the Medical School of the University of Crete, who also served as the main tutor of the program.

The training included lectures by doctors from different medical specialties, offering students valuable clinical insight and practical experience.

At the end of the program, participants will receive an official certification from the European Resuscitation Council (ERC).

At IMED UOC, medical education goes beyond the classroom, giving students the opportunity to develop practical skills that can truly make a difference.

21/05/2026

Did you know that one of Heraklion’s most popular beaches is just a short drive from IMED UOC? 🌊🌞

Karteros Beach is a favorite spot among students who want to enjoy the Cretan coastline, relax by the sea, or spend time with friends outside the city center.

🏖️Located around 20–25 minutes from campus
🏖️Easily accessible by public transport or car
🏖️Long sandy beach with clear blue waters
🏖️Organized beach spots, cafes, and beach bars nearby
🏖️ Ideal for swimming, sunset walks, and enjoying the island lifestyle

Living and studying in Crete means having the sea close to your everyday life and Karteros is one of the best places to experience it✨

15/05/2026

Meet our teacher Panos Sapountzis

-I am an Assistant Professor of Physiology and Neurophysiology at the School of Medicine, and a neuroscientist. I am passionate about understanding how the brain works, and I use both experimental and computational methods to explore it (yes, this means a lot of mathematics)!

-Understanding how the brain functions is one of the most challenging goals of our time. I like to share with my students my passion for neuroscience and for scientific research in general. Academic teaching often involves transferring textbook knowledge in the form of facts and we often forget the long, painstaking process for arriving at this knowledge or how fascinating the scientific endeavour is.

-The strongest part of the UoC’s iMed program is our students! It is their eagerness to learn, interact, and absorb as much as they can. Our small class size makes it easy to interact and have real, personal conversations. Oh, and of course, living in Crete is not bad either!

-When I am not lost in neural pathways, you will likely find me diving into a book, listening to Bach, catching up with my kids, or lifting weights.

13/05/2026

Why join the University of Crete International Medicine Program?
Here are three main reasons shared by our students, in the years.

🟢 Exceptional faculty
All faculty of the University of Crete have been trained in outstanding Universities and Hospitals around the world - many of them in the US.

🟢 Always hands on
Hands-on clinical training at a leading University Hospital within the campus, is a winner.

🟢 Buzzing research hub
The University of Crete together with the adjacent Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), is renowned as one of the most vibrant and innovative research centers across Europe.

For more insights about why people join the University of Crete International Medicine Program,
👩🏻‍💻🧑🏻‍💻visit our website https://imed.med.uoc.gr/

11/05/2026

Let’s pool!🏊

The UoC’s sports center and swimming pool are part of our students’ vibrant campus life.

The university’s 25-meter swimming pool is open to staff and students for individual and team training, daily from early in the morning to late evening.

It is located inside the campus at a walking distance from the Medical School building: very often our students go for a quick swim in between classes!

06/05/2026

Meet our teacher Evangelia Akoumianaki

-I am Assistant Professor of Intensive Care at the Medical School of the University of Crete and I serve as a Pulmonologist-Intensivist at the University Hospital of Heraklion.

My academic work is driven by a deep fascination with how the respiratory system interacts with the ventilator and with other organ systems and how it influences the outcomes in the most severely critically ill patients. I have been instructing in specialized programs including the respiratory mechanics course at Uppsala University in Sweden.

My work has earned global accolades, including the ESICM Bernhard Dräger Award of “Emerging Investigator” in AJRCCM.

-Within the University of Crete, I teach in specialized programs, most notably through the KEDIVIM (Center of Education and Lifelong Learning). Ι also serve as lead instructor for Mechanical Ventilation Schools organized by the University’s Intensive Care Clinic.

I also author and review e-courses for the ESICM Academy. Furthermore, I serve as an instructor for the BASIC (Basic Assessment and Support in Intensive Care) program supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

By combining my research with hands-on teaching, my goal is to bridge the gap between complex physiological theory and the precise, individualized care required for patients in the ICU.

-My core belief, which I aim to pass on to my students, is that the true beauty of Medicine lies in intellectual curiosity, the relentless drive to understand the underlying mechanisms of life.

Τhe ‘why’ and empathy are the 2 elements that lead to the joy of offering truly individualized care. This is one of the reasons why Medicine can never be fully replaced by computers or algorithms; it is a science that constantly surprises and evolves.

…continued in the comments

Address

University Campus, Voutes
Heraklion
70013

Telephone

+302810394797

Website

http://imed.med.uoc.gr/

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