Indeed, walls could talk. Listen closely to the tale of Evangelismos Hospital. It stands as a beacon of healing in Athens. Its story intertwines deeply with the city’s own evolution.
The journey began in 1872. Members of the ‘Association of Ladies in Favour of Female Education’ sought to establish a hospital. Their vision included training nursing sisters. In 1881, on March 25, a significant day. It was the feast of the Annunciation. In Greek, it’s called Evangelismos and thus the hospital got its name. The foundation stone of the Evangelismos Infirmary was laid. The Holy Petrakis Monastery donated the land.
Fast forward to 1939. Evangelismos Hospital received a ‘gold medal’. This award recognized its excellent medical work. AHEPA Wing was inaugurated in 1950. It was a seven-story building. The American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association made a generous donation. Since then, Evangelismos has become one of Greece’s largest hospitals.
Evangelismos Hospital plays a pivotal role in the National Health Service. Upgrading the building infrastructure and providing cutting-edge medical services is a must. The Non-profit Civil Company AEGEAS makes donations to support these needs. Some projects are ongoing. These include the renovation of the ICU and the A&E Department. This is a joint funding project with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
AEGEAS has supported Evangelismos Hospital significantly. They supplied and installed an ultramodern digital angiography-biplane imaging system. This was a first for a public hospital in Greece. A space was renovated and adapted to accommodate an Endoscopy Laboratory. AEGEAS also funded the creation of a new twelve-bed Intensive Care Unit in the AHEPA Wing. This was done through the THORAX Foundation with Foteini Livanou as a sponsor. Specialist medical devices were provided. These included a portable ultrasound system and a Cardiothoracic Support System.
With AEGEAS’s donation, Evangelismos became the first public hospital in Greece. It acquired an ultramodern digital angiography-biplane imaging system. The hospital can now investigate and handle emergency cases. Previously, patients had to be transferred to other hospitals. This put patients’ health at risk. The donation also helped develop a new specialist invasive radiology unit.
In 2021, a new ICU opened. It’s located on the third floor of the AHEPA building. It has 12 beds. The hospital’s ICU capacity is now 30 beds. Patients are treated in one of the most modern ICUs in Europe. AEGEAS and Foteini Livanou made the donation through the THORAX Foundation.
The renovation and adaptation of a space to accommodate an Endoscopy Laboratory was a crucial upgrade. The hospital now has cutting-edge equipment. This enhances the quality of care.
In 1875, Queen Olga supported the establishment of a Hospital Education Center. This was for nursing training. The creation of a hospital center supported its operation. Andreas Syggros made a donation. The House of Sisters was completed in 1898. Evangelismos evolved into the largest hospital in the Balkans.
In 1950, a new seven-story AHEPA Wing building was constructed. It honored the American expatriates who donated 630,000 dollars. It expanded in 1964 with two more floors and an attic. Shipowner Ioannis Diamantis Patera donated 5 million dollars in 1975. This was for a new three-story wing.
Today, Evangelismos Hospital stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. It embodies the spirit of philanthropy. The hospital continues to evolve. It adapts to meet the ever-changing healthcare needs of Athens and Greece. With 850 beds and 690 doctors it is able to provide medical service of the highest quality. As you walk away, remember the countless lives touched within these walls.