Hellenic Medical Society of New York Honors Drexel University President Papadakis as "Distinguished Hellene"
December 7 , 2003

PHILADELPHIA (December 7 , 2003)- The Hellenic Medical Society of New York honored Drexel University President Constantine Papadakis as a "Distinguished Hellene" at the Society's 67 th Annual Scholarship Gala, held in New York.

Other honorees were Dr. George L. Bakris, who was recognized as a "Distinguished Physician," and Dr. Apostolos P. Tambakis, recognized as an "Esteemed Colleague and Past-President of the Society." More than 15 Greek-American medical college and high school students were recipients of scholarships at the gala.

The Society has a membership of more than 1,000 physicians throughout Greater New York. Renowned physician George Papanikolaou is one of the Society's founders. Past "Distinguished Hellenes" include Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) George Tenet and former President of Radcliffe College Matina Souretis Horner.

"I am proud and honored that the Society has named me a 'Distinguished Hellene.' I am also pleased that the Drexel University College of Medicine, the largest private medical school in America , is contributing to the advancement of medicine, continuing in the tradition of our ancestors," said Papadakis.

Papadakis became president of Drexel in 1995. During his tenure, the annual undergraduate applicant pool expanded to 13,400 from 4,200, full-time undergraduate enrollment grew to 9,175 from 4,650, research expenditures reached $85 million from $14 million and the endowment exceeded $400 million from $90 million. U . S. News & World Report's America 's Best Colleges 2004 ranked the University as one of the best national doctoral universities.

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