The University of Nicosia Medical School celebrated the second graduation of doctors in Cyprus with an impressive ceremony held at the Strovolos Municipal Theatre in Nicosia on 6 May, attended by parents and guests from across the globe. Fifty-seven graduates received a Bachelor of Medicine – Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from St George’s, University of London (SGUL). In addition, seven physicians received a University of Nicosia Postgraduate Diploma in Family Medicine, and six faculty members were awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Healthcare and Biomedical Education from SGUL. 

Attending the graduation ceremony were the Cyprus Minister of Health, the President of the Cyprus Medical Association, the President of the Thalassaemia International Federation, members of Parliament, and representatives of many medical societies and of our partner hospitals in Cyprus, Israel and the United States.

This ceremony also recognised three distinguished professors for their contributions to medical science.  Degrees of Doctor of Science (Medicine) honoris causa from the University of Nicosia were awarded to Prof Peter Kopelman, former Principal of SGUL, who was instrumental in establishing the University of Nicosia Medical School and who has a long-standing interest in diabetes care, nutrition and obesity; and to Prof Andreas Adam, Interventional Radiologist at the University of London, whose research work has shaped clinical practice internationally.

Prof Tim St Pierre, a Physicist at the University of Western Australia, was the recipient of the Panos Englezos Award established by the Thalassaemia International Federation and jointly awarded by the Medical School and TIF on a biennial basis.  Prof St Pierre developed the non-invasive liver iron measurement technology, FerriScan, which has so far been used with over 30,000 patients around the world, including thalassaemia patients, in whom it has resulted in the reduction of iron-related morbidity and mortality.