Dear colleagues,
During the last years the specialty of Pulmonology has been highlighted as of key importance and established in the consciousness of the medical world and society as a frontline specialty.
The Department of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Patras having extroverted orientation and following the legacy of the last 4 years, responds to the increased needs for scientific training & education by organizing the 4th consecutive hybrid Congress: “Bridges of Pulmonology 2026”, which will be held on June 4th-June 6th, 2025, in Patras, at the Conference and Cultural Center, within the University Campus. Our conference will be for the first time not only under the auspice of our national Universities but also under the auspice of European University of Cyprus, further extending its international impact.
In addition, this year, for the first time, our conference will be under the auspice of our international society, namely MAID (Mediterranean Association of Inflammatory Disorders) and will focus on a scientific journey through time where international speakers and several worldwide and national experts will present the milestone discoveries that shifted our diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic dial throughout the years. Most importantly our kickoff session will be related to the transformative impact of medicine on the society and will provide valuable feedback from healthcare professionals, patients and volunteers on their role in increasing awareness for chronic respiratory diseases including COPD, lung cancer and fibrosis. Patient advocacy groups will be actively involved testifying patient needs and priorities and providing insights that will help bridge the gap between health care providers and patients.
The Congress also aims to unite different medical specialties & scientific communities on a practical approach basis, to achieve optimal patients’ management. It includes rich topics that not only respond to key clinical issues but also extend to the area of translational and basic research highlighting the importance of mechanistic thinking in the diagnosis and treatment of the complex respiratory patient. Thus, doctors of all specialties will gain benefits in the management of the complex respiratory patient.
With the hope and anticipation that this Congress will help building communication “bridges” and exchanging of scientific opinions among:
a. physicians and patients’ groups enhancing disease awareness, providing disease education and advancing care
b. the medical specialties of Pulmonology, Cardiology, Pathology, Rheumatology, Neurology, Oncology, Nephrology, Allergology, ENT, General Medicine and Intensive Care
c. primary and tertiary care health
d. last but not least our conference aims to expedite interaction of international and national experts with young physicians and students and mentoring them for their career development plans. This will be a unique opportunity for young physicians.
I will be looking forward to your maximal participation in a constructive four days Congress. Within the era of precision medicine, we should never forget that patients should lie at the core of decision making and disease management.
Argyrios Tzouvelekis MD, PhD, MSc
Professor of Internal and Respiratory Medicine
Head Department of Respiratory Medicine
University of Patras, Greece
Professor Adjunct, Yale School of Medicine, USA