End of an Era for Kalymnos Medical Association
In a lengthy farewell letter, outgoing President of the Provincial Medical Association of Kalymnos “Skevos Zervos”, Dr. Gerasimos Apostolatos, announced the completion of a 16-year chapter in the Association’s leadership, including 13 years as President and five years as Vice President.
In his statement, issued on June 23, 2026, Dr. Apostolatos thanked the physicians of Kalymnos for their long-standing trust and presented a detailed overview of the key initiatives and achievements accomplished during his tenure.
Among the milestones highlighted were the renaming of the Association in honor of “Skevos Zervos,” the re-establishment and staffing of the regional medical units in Pserimos and Vathy, support for the Kalymnos Hospital through additional personnel and equipment, and advocacy efforts that ultimately contributed to the creation of a second surgical operating station at the hospital.
The outgoing president also emphasized the Association’s role during the Covid-19 pandemic, including interventions with national health authorities, the acquisition of defibrillators and medical equipment, and efforts to strengthen healthcare services across the smaller islands of the Kalymnos district.
Additional initiatives mentioned include raising awareness about Greece’s declining birth rate, promoting the establishment of a Medical School at the University of the Aegean, and supporting the reopening of Kalymnos’ thermal springs.
Referring to the June 14, 2026 elections, Dr. Apostolatos stated that he fully respects the outcome and announced his decision to step aside from the Association’s Board, while continuing to serve as a representative to the Hellenic Medical Association.
He stressed that no electoral faction secured an absolute majority and argued that cooperation among all sides is essential for the future of the Association. Calling for unity, he urged colleagues to place the interests of physicians and the local community above political or personal divisions.
Concluding his farewell message, Dr. Apostolatos criticized what he described as a toxic atmosphere during parts of the election campaign and ended with the Greek proverb, “No one is more ungrateful than the one who has been benefited,” signing what appears to be his final message as President of the Medical Association of Kalymnos.
