Aristotelis Panos, Cardiac and vascular surgeon (LGB, 1985)
Aristotelis Panos
La Grande Boissière, 1985
Cardia and vascular surgeon
Switzerland
Learn more about me :
After receiving my IB at the end of Year 13, I was admitted to the University of Geneva in Biology. After graduation, I attended the Medical school of the same university. I received my Diploma of Medicine and then specialised in cardiac (heart) and vascular (vessels) surgery between Geneva, Paris and Lyon. Back at the University Hospital of Geneva, I climbed the academic hierarchy and completed my Doctorate, PhD and associate professor work. I developed skills in minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery. I performed the first mitral valve repair operation and coronary bypass with the “da Vinci” robot in Switzerland. I currently work as a cardiac and vascular surgeon specialising in the minimally invasive heart valve surgery at the La Tour Hospital and Clinique La Colline in Geneva.
From my first day on campus, I was impressed with the multicultural and multilingual environment of the school. I quickly met many people, many of whom became friends for life.
I remember that every Friday afternoon after the classes we met with classmates on the last floor of the boarding school building to share “digital” moments on the first two available Macintosh computers! (Time flies). Playing football in the stadium was also a favourite activity. Some rare times we would skip class (yes, it also happened in my day!). I still enjoy the yearly Kermesse!
Having studied subjects as biology, chemistry, maths, geography and languages at Ecolint, I arrived for my first year of biology at the university with almost the entire biology, chemistry and maths courses covered. So, it was quite an easy year! I must say that I had a huge chance to have teachers such as Prof Archipoff, Prof Thouroude, Prof Douin and Prof Dumas. Their classes were of a really high level. They also knew how to push us towards critical and constructive ways of thinking, rather than memorising texts by heart!
The ancient Greeks have a saying that goes something like: “To my parents, I owe my life. To my teachers, I owe my good life”.
The multiethnic, multicultural spirit of the Ecolint teaches students tolerance and respect for all people, irrespective of their colour, nationality and religion. This is an invaluable life lesson in today’s globalised world! Besides, students also have the opportunity to construct a network of contacts from all over the world that will be very helpful in their future careers.
My words of wisdom for Ecolint students: I would advise them to choose their topics according to what they would like to study later. Don’t be fooled by “light” IBs that will only be useful to obtain the degree. Work hard, enjoy every day in school! It will never come again! You are living one of the most fantastic periods in your life and try to understand the unique chance you have to study at Ecolint.