On June 24, 2025, I had the great privilege of receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. This recognition was awarded in acknowledgment of my contributions to orthopaedic research, international leadership in the field, and lifelong dedication to medical education.
To be recognized by one of Europe’s oldest and most respected universities—renowned for its legacy of scientific excellence—was a deeply meaningful moment in my career.
A Career Built on Structure, Discovery, and Purpose
In my acceptance speech, I reflected on three words that have shaped my professional journey: Bones, Breakthroughs, and Belonging.
They represent the core of my work as a surgeon-scientist—uniting the structural demands of orthopaedics, the drive for innovation through research, and the importance of collaboration and identity in academic medicine.
Over the past 25 years, I’ve been fortunate to work at the intersection of science and surgery. After earning my MD and PhD at McGill University, I established a research program focused on intervertebral disc degeneration and joint disease. My team has explored regenerative strategies that address some of the most prevalent causes of global disability—pursuing biologic repair methods to restore function, reduce inflammation, and improve quality of life.
This work has led to the development of a patented therapeutic peptide, sLinkN, and the co-founding of Trepso Therapeutics, a biotech venture dedicated to translating our laboratory discoveries into real-world treatments.
Advancing Science Through Collaboration
Throughout my career, I’ve remained committed to the clinician-scientist model—one that seeks to bridge basic research and bedside care. While that model is increasingly under pressure, I believe that team science, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship are essential to the future of orthopaedic innovation.
As a research director, academic leader, and past president of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association, I’ve worked to support infrastructure that fosters research, supports young investigators, and strengthens connections between clinical excellence and scientific progress.
A Global Perspective on Leadership and Advocacy
This honorary degree also recognizes the importance of international collaboration in healthcare. Through my involvement in the Canadian Orthopaedic Association, the Orthopaedic Research Society, the Hip Society, and the International Hip Society, I’ve had the opportunity to help shape musculoskeletal care and policy on a global scale.
My advocacy has focused on addressing gaps in surgical access, supporting surgeon training, and ensuring that high-quality orthopaedic care is accessible to patients worldwide. As I shared during the ceremony, progress in healthcare requires more than scientific rigor—it requires vision, evidence-based advocacy, and compassion.
A Personal Reflection
While I was born and raised in Canada, my roots trace back to Greece, and receiving this honor on Greek soil added a personal dimension to an already extraordinary occasion. I was deeply moved to be joined by colleagues, former trainees, friends, and family—many of whom traveled great distances to be present.
The University of Athens’ recognition affirms the shared values that connect scientific communities around the world: commitment to knowledge, service to patients, and the pursuit of excellence through collaboration.
As I quoted during my speech:
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” — Pericles
To the University of Athens, and to all those who have supported me throughout this journey—thank you.
