On Tuesday 16 June 2015, at the Oncology Centre for Children “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis-ELPIDA”, the President of the Association of Friends of Children with cancer “ELPIDA”, Mrs Marianna V Vardinoyannis welcomed representatives of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Stephen Ludwig, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of International Medical Education of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Dr. Theocli Zaouti, Professor of Pediatrics and Epidemiology and head of the Department of Infectious Diseases of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, visited Greece to sign the agreement twinning the two hospitals.
“It is a great honor for us to have you here,” said Mrs. Vardinoyannis, “and we welcome you as good friends and new allies in our struggle against childhood cancer. Your presence in our hospital shows your deep sensitivity and is of great help for us.
“I am sincerely touched today by the fact that the United States of America has joined our twinning network which includes some of the largest hospitals worldwide. Twenty five years ago, as there was no bone marrow transplantation unit in Greece, our sick children travelled to America for treatment. Today, thanks to you and your cooperation with us, we are able to being the expertise and experience of the USA into our hospital. This strengthens our hope that one day no child will need to travel abroad for treatment and that child can stay close to his or her family throughout the duration of the difficult treatment.
“That is precisely the purpose of the “Twinning Program”. I am sure that by joining our efforts against childhood cancer we can create a platform of Peace, Dialogue and Solidarity between peoples. The reputation of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has reached many countries and the excellent work done there offers the best example to all hospitals in the sector. We consider cooperation with you as a great privilege and tremendous help in our efforts towards marked progress and the upgrading of medical services offered through the exchange of knowledge. America and Greece are linked by long-standing and close ties of friendship and I hope that cooperation between our hospitals will contribute significantly to this strong alliance.”
Closing her brief speech, Mrs Vardinoyannis thanked Dr Ludwig and Dr Theocli Zaouti for their important contribution to the twinning of the two hospitals, and for their suggestions, some of which are already in place in Oncology Pediatric Unit. Their efforts include the a campaign to prevent germs and diseases from spreading to sick children by maintaining clean hands. Results are already very good in the hospital.
Dr Ludwig thanked Mrs. Vardinoyannis for the warm welcome saying: “I come from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia is a city on the US east coast.Our name is Greek and means the brotherhood between people. Our culture and our way of life are based on principles such as the Greek democracy. At the Hospital of Philadelphia we feel that it is our duty not only to take care of the children of our city, the wider community and our country, but also the children of the world. Children of the world are people who do not need a passport. They’re all a team, united children from around the world, and we need to provide assistance to all children from whatever country they come from.
“Our efforts are moving in this direction as anything we can do to help Greece. And of course we expect to learn a lot from our cooperation with you. When I saw this lovely building and I followed your work, I felt that not only we can contribute to your project, but also to learn from you. I believe that describes our cooperation. I am honored to be here and look forward to our cooperation. “
The signing of the twinning agreement between the two hospitals was symbolically sealed by placing the US flag in the “Charter for Peace and Hope” of the Oncological Centre for Children and the awarding of the Honorary Award of the Association “ELPIDA” to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
On Tuesday 16 June 2015, at the Oncology Centre for Children “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis-ELPIDA”, the President of the Association of Friends of Children with cancer “ELPIDA”, Mrs Marianna V Vardinoyannis welcomed representatives of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Stephen Ludwig, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of International Medical Education of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Dr. Theocli Zaouti, Professor of Pediatrics and Epidemiology and head of the Department of Infectious Diseases of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, visited Greece to sign the agreement twinning the two hospitals.
“It is a great honor for us to have you here,” said Mrs. Vardinoyannis, “and we welcome you as good friends and new allies in our struggle against childhood cancer. Your presence in our hospital shows your deep sensitivity and is of great help for us.
“I am sincerely touched today by the fact that the United States of America has joined our twinning network which includes some of the largest hospitals worldwide. Twenty five years ago, as there was no bone marrow transplantation unit in Greece, our sick children travelled to America for treatment. Today, thanks to you and your cooperation with us, we are able to being the expertise and experience of the USA into our hospital. This strengthens our hope that one day no child will need to travel abroad for treatment and that child can stay close to his or her family throughout the duration of the difficult treatment.
“That is precisely the purpose of the “Twinning Program”. I am sure that by joining our efforts against childhood cancer we can create a platform of Peace, Dialogue and Solidarity between peoples. The reputation of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has reached many countries and the excellent work done there offers the best example to all hospitals in the sector. We consider cooperation with you as a great privilege and tremendous help in our efforts towards marked progress and the upgrading of medical services offered through the exchange of knowledge. America and Greece are linked by long-standing and close ties of friendship and I hope that cooperation between our hospitals will contribute significantly to this strong alliance.”
Closing her brief speech, Mrs Vardinoyannis thanked Dr Ludwig and Dr Theocli Zaouti for their important contribution to the twinning of the two hospitals, and for their suggestions, some of which are already in place in Oncology Pediatric Unit. Their efforts include the a campaign to prevent germs and diseases from spreading to sick children by maintaining clean hands. Results are already very good in the hospital.
Dr Ludwig thanked Mrs. Vardinoyannis for the warm welcome saying: “I come from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia is a city on the US east coast.Our name is Greek and means the brotherhood between people. Our culture and our way of life are based on principles such as the Greek democracy. At the Hospital of Philadelphia we feel that it is our duty not only to take care of the children of our city, the wider community and our country, but also the children of the world. Children of the world are people who do not need a passport. They’re all a team, united children from around the world, and we need to provide assistance to all children from whatever country they come from.
“Our efforts are moving in this direction as anything we can do to help Greece. And of course we expect to learn a lot from our cooperation with you. When I saw this lovely building and I followed your work, I felt that not only we can contribute to your project, but also to learn from you. I believe that describes our cooperation. I am honored to be here and look forward to our cooperation. “
The signing of the twinning agreement between the two hospitals was symbolically sealed by placing the US flag in the “Charter for Peace and Hope” of the Oncological Centre for Children and the awarding of the Honorary Award of the Association “ELPIDA” to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.