Institute for Neurovascular Innovation. Official Announcement on the Establishment
In a warm atmosphere filled with optimism and a deep sense of scientific responsibility, the inaugural official presentation announcing the establishment of the Institute for Neurovascular Innovation took place on May 12, 2026, as a new non-profit scientific entity aiming to serve as a vital bridge connecting specialized medical research, the business community, and society.
During an introductory lunch and briefing with medical journalists and members of the scientific community, the Institute's purpose, vision, and core strategic pillars were presented in detail, with the active participation of Scientific Advisory Board members Dr. Spyridon Karadimas (Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford University), Dr. Georgios Stranjalis (Professor of Neurosurgery at NKUA / Evangelismos Hospital), and Dr. Aristotelis Kalyvas (Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at NKUA).
"The primary mission of the organization is the substantial improvement of healthcare services in neurovascular diseases, focusing on prevention, research, treatment, and structured patient rehabilitation. Core strategic pillars include developing joint research programs in collaboration with leading academic centers across Europe and the US, such as Stanford, Harvard, Mount Sinai, and the Mayo Clinic, alongside establishing annual educational grants totaling €80,000 to support young Greek scientists specializing in neurology and neurosurgery, with the first scholarship already awarded to a medical student for research participation at Stanford University. Additionally, the Institute aims to strengthen the National Health System by donating state-of-the-art medical equipment, such as digital angiographs for minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment, to major public hospitals including Evangelismos, Attikon, University Hospital of Patras, and AHEPA", stated the President and Founder of the Institute, Mr. Ioannis Foteinos.
The Institute also prioritizes addressing the existing information gap surrounding neurovascular diseases, congenital vascular malformations (AVMs), and brain aneurysms which account for approximately 1,000 rupture incidents annually in Greece through educational seminars, conferences, and publications, while providing practical assistance to families caring for patients with neurovascular conditions at home to support proper care and comprehensive rehabilitation.
The President of the Board of Directors of the Institute is Mr. Ioannis Foteinos, alongside Board members Ms. Sofia Foteinou, Ms. Kornilia Spyrogianni, and Ms. Kyriaki Dervou. The Institute is supported by an internationally renowned Scientific Advisory Board comprising Dr. Spyridon Karadimas, Dr. Georgios Stranjalis, Dr. Aristotelis Kalyvas, Dr. Georgios Tsivgoulis (Professor of Neurology, NKUA), Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas (Professor of Neurology, NKUA), Dr. George Dangas (Professor of Cardiology, Mount Sinai), Dr. Stamatios Lerakis (Professor of Cardiology, Mount Sinai), Dr. Konstantinos Margetis (Director of Complex Spine Surgery, Mount Sinai), and Dr. Christopher Kellner (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai).
The organization's initiatives are already supported by major corporations and foundations acting as sponsors and supporters, including Alpha Bank, METLEN Energy & Metals (Mytilineos Group), Kopelouzos Group, Yiannis Alafouzos Group of Companies, Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, Kokkalis Foundation, Athens International Airport, AKTOR, Salfo, and AVAX.
