Biomedical Research Foundation Academy Of AthensAcademy Of Athens
News :PRESS RELEASE


Dr. George Sigounas, HRSA Administrator, invited to Greece by the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens

Distinguished Professor, Dr. George Sigounas, Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services, visited the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA) on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, after being cordially invited by the BRFAA Board of Directors.  That same evening, Dr. Sigounas gave a lecture on “The High Healthcare Targets in the US: Health Services for Vulnerable and Underserved Populations" at the Academy of Athens.

During his visit and tour of BRFAA, Dr. Sigounas met with BRFAA’s principal investigators, young scientists, and administrators in order to explore effective ways of sparking a collaboration between the Health Organizations of the US Department of Health, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens.  Dr. Sigounas expressed his enthusiasm for the exceptional caliber of scientists and staff, the state-of-the-art facilities and the cutting-edge equipment of BRFAA.

On the evening of February 19th, Dr. Sigounas, Professor and Director of the Hematology / Oncology Department of the University of East Carolina Medical School in Greenville, North Carolina gave a talk at the East Wing of the Academy of Athens.  The event was organized by BRFAA and was attended by highly esteemed individuals from academic, political, scientific and medical fields.

The President of BRFAA, Professor - Academician Antonios Kounadis gave welcoming remarks, and the guest of honor, Dr. Sigounas, was presented by the Vice President of the BRFAA, Professor - Academician Dimitrios Thanos. 

In his lecture, Dr. Sigounas presented the services and programs that he supervises at the HRSA. The HRSA is a federal agency responsible for improving health care for people in the US who are geographically isolated and economically or medically vulnerable.  The needs of 27 million US residents are met through the HRSA, and its programs help individuals and families in need of high quality primary health care.  The agency’s AIDS Eradication Program benefits 535,000 AIDS sufferers, who are provided full medical care to suppress the virus, as well as psychiatric and psychological support.  Dr. Sigounas also stressed the priority given to the treatment of opioid use, particularly to non-privileged regions of the United States of America.  HRSA also oversees organ, bone marrow, and cord blood donation.  It reimburses people harmed by vaccinations and maintains databases that protect against health care malpractice.