By Fotis Kaliampakos and Aphrodite Kotrotsios
Dr. Mara Karamitopoulos, a renowned pediatric orthopedic surgeon and faculty member at NYU Grossman School of Medicine at NYU Langone Health, was awarded the Annual Dr. Mary Kalopothakes Distinguished Female Physician Award by the Hellenic Medical Society of New York.
This prestigious award ceremony took place in the “Chiotis Hall” of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Manhattan, where Dr. Karamitopoulos’s remarkable contributions to medicine and the Greek-American community were honored. The award, named in memory of Dr. Mary Kalopothakes (1859–1941), the first Greek-American female physician, honors exceptional dedication to the medical field and service to the community.
Dr. Nicholas Nissirios, Vice President of the Hellenic Medical Society of New York, welcomed the attendees on behalf of Dr. Antonis Gasparis, President of the Society, who was unable to attend. Dr. Nissirios stressed that over the past 14 years the Board of the Hellenic Medical Society (HMS) has financially supported annually the Dr. Mary Kalopothakes conference in order to feature the accomplishments of the female Hellenic American physicians. Additionally, the main mission of the HMS is to advance the success of Hellenic American students and residents in medicine, by providing scholarships and mentorship for young doctors in training and students interested in healthcare fields. Dr. Nissirios then introduced Dr. Stella Lymberis, a renowned oncologist, who had organized the event and spoke about the growing representation of women in medicine. She also highlighted the challenges faced by female doctors, referencing statistics showing that 60% of women surgeons in the medical field have experienced some form of sexual harassment.
Dr. Joseph D. Zuckerman, Chair of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Langone Health, praised Dr. Karamitopoulos for her extensive work in pediatric hip disease prevention, an area she has advanced through research and clinical practice. He also commended her contributions to educating future healthcare professionals.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Karamitopoulos expressed gratitude for the award and discussed the challenges women face in balancing career and family in the demanding field of medicine. She also stressed the importance of her Greek heritage and its role in shaping her dedication to providing equal opportunities and access to healthcare.
Dr. Karamitopoulos concluded her speech by advocating for better access to healthcare facilities for individuals with mobility challenges, raising awareness about the need for early disease prevention, especially in children. A touching moment occurred when a mother of one of her patients expressed her gratitude for the care her child received, which helped fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting Greece.
Dr. Karamitopoulos was joined by her family for a memorable photo session after the award presentation, highlighting the importance of family support in her success.
About Dr. Mara Karamitopoulos
Dr. Mara Karamitopoulos is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in pediatric care at NYU, with a focus on early disease prevention, particularly pediatric hip disease. Her work has brought attention to this critical area of healthcare, and she continues to educate and inspire future healthcare professionals. Dr. Karamitopoulos is also a proud member of the Hellenic Medical Society of New York and is committed to serving the Greek-American community.
About the Dr. Mary Kalopothakes Award
The Annual Dr. Mary Kalopothakes Distinguished Female Physician Award is presented by the Hellenic Medical Society of New York to honor outstanding female physicians who have made a significant impact in their medical careers and their communities. Dr. Mary Kalopothakes was the first Greek-American female physician and a trailblazer for women in medicine.
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