HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH IRINEJ OF SERBIA DECORATES PROFESSOR KALANGOS WITH GRAND CROSS OF SAINT SAVA FIRST DEGREE

Belgrade, 12 March 2010 – His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia decorated Professor Dr. Aksendyios Kalangos MD, PhD, FETCS, DSci(Hon) with the Grand Cross Saint Sava First Degree for his humanitarian work and accomplishments in our Serbia.

The ceremony took place at the Patriarchy in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine, Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church and members of the Crown Council.

Professor Dr. Afksendyios Kalangos is the Chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the University Clinic in Geneva, Switzerland. This is his seventh working visit to Serbia, during his philanthropic missions in our country he has operated on more than 30 patients with congenital heart diseases.

Professor Dr. Afksendyios Kalangos together with Princess Katherine initiated the opening of the first Operating Unit for patients with congenital heart diseases. This Department was opened 9 December 2008 as a joint venture of the Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases of the Clinical Centre of Serbia and University Children’s Clinic in Tirsova. This important project was launched thanks to the generous help of a friend of Their Royal Highnesses, Mr. Alexander Niklan and the Foundation of Professor Dr. Kalangos “Hearts for All”, as well as the Republic Fund for Health Insurance. As a part of this project the intensive care unit and day hospital were reconstructed, built and equipped with the most modern medical equipment and beds for postoperative treatment for patients with congenital heart disease.

Professor Kalangos besides operating on the patients of Serbia; organized the training of Serbian medical staff. He is the founder of two humanitarian organizations that are dedicated to help children who suffer from heart diseases.

Professors Kalangos is Greek Orthodox. He finished his PhD’s in Chemistry and medicine and he licensed “Kalangos ring” that is used in reconstruction of the heart valve.

In 2007, he received an annual award from TV Studio B in Belgrade for his great endeavours for Serbian Society, after saving the life of little Dejana.

Prof. Afksendiyos Kalangos, MD, PhD, FETCS, Dsci(Hon)

Training and Academic Affiliations

• Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, Geneva University, Switzerland- 2006
• Visiting Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Verona, Italy and University of Belgrade, Serbia
• Doctor Honoris Causa Doctor of Sciences / University of Mauritius 2005

Doctor Honoris Causa /University of Thrace 2005

• Geneva University, MBA, Management of Health Systems- 2002 • School of Medicine, Paris- 1996-1997 • Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, Turkey- 1995
• Broussais Hospital, Paris- 1991-1993 • St Thomas Hospital, London- 1987-1988
• Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, 1984 - 1990
• Istanbul University School of Medicine, 1978-1984

Employment History

• Chairman, University Hospital of Geneva, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 2001 -
• Vice Chairman, University Hospital of Geneva, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 1998 - 2001
• Staff Surgeon, University Hospital of Geneva, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 1993 - 1998
• Staff Surgeon, Broussais Hospital, Paris, 1991-1993
• Staff Surgeon, Dr. Siyami Ersek Gogus Kalp Damar Cerrahisi Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi, 1990 - 1991
• Resident, Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, 1984 - 1990

Memberships

• Turkish Association of Cardiovascular Surgery
• American Association of Thoracic Surgery (by invitation)
• American College of Angiology
• American Physiological Society
• Association for European Paediatric Cardiology
• European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery
• European Society for Artificial Organs
• French Society of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
• The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Main interests

• Development of third generation tissue heart valves (www.lemancardiovascular.com )
• Pioneer of first degradable mitral and tricuspide annuloplasty ring (BioringTM) (www.bioring.ch)
• Using of degradable polymers in cardiovascular surgery (www.surgical-research-geneva.ch)
• Congenital cardiac operations
• Repair oriented surgical treatment for cardiac valvular pathologies
• Development of new cardiac surgery and cardiology programs in developing countries
• Founder and president of humanitarian medical association Coeurs pour tous (www.cptg.ch)
• Founder and president of Fondation Kalangos which supports the young scientist who needs financial support for cardiovascular research projects and clinical training

Publications: 146 articles in journals with editorial policy Lectures by invitation: 150 lectures as guest speaker Abstracts: 400 abstracts in national and international congresses