Professor Xenophon J Contiades: The most significant medical loss during World War II in Greece.

Abstract

Xenophon J Contiades was born in Marseille in 1903. After a brilliant career as a surgeon and Chef de Clinique in Paris receiving numerous awards and publishing more than 100 manuscripts, Contiades returned to Greece to become Professor of Surgery at the University of Athens being appointed as Director of the Surgery Clinic at the "Hippokration" General Hospital of Athens. At the beginning of the Second World War, Professor Contiades exhorted his students to defend their country. He concluded his final lecture by saying: "Gentlemen, you know what happened to our homeland. I believe that each one of us will do his duty. I wish you good luck. The lesson is over!" As Director of the Surgery Clinic of the Ioannina Military Hospital at the war front, he organized the clinic for the treatment of frostbitten and seriously injured warriors. He died as a hero during a German Nazi air strike on the Hospital building bearing the Red Cross sign on 20 April 1941 (Easter day) while operating on a patient who survived. We should not forget a man who lead a meaningful and glorious but short life dedicated to the service of his country and mankind in very difficult times.