On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., in the Graduate Auditorium of the Medical School at the University of Crete, the ceremony for the conferral of the honorary doctorate to Michael F. Collins, Chancellor of the T.H. Chan Medical School at the University of Massachusetts, was held.

The event began with greetings from the Vice-Rector for Administrative Affairs and Student Welfare, Professor Sofia Schiza, as well as the Dean of the Medical School, Professor Eleni Papadaki. Following this, Professor Christos Tsatsanis from the Medical School presented the distinguished work of the honoree, focusing on his significant contribution to the advancement of medical education and public health, as well as the organization and administration of the Medical School and the affiliated research centers of the University of Massachusetts. Professor Tsatsanis highlighted Mr. Collins’ contribution to the promotion of basic medical research, which led to this year’s Nobel Prize in Medicine being awarded to Professor Victor Ambros of the T.H. Chan Medical School at the University of Massachusetts for the discovery of micro-RNA. Chancellor Collins has been and remains a supporter of research aimed at improving health, a fact reflected in the achievements of the University he leads.

The ceremony concluded with a speech by the honoree, who warmly thanked the University of Crete and its Medical School for the honor bestowed upon him. In his speech, titled “A Leadership Perspective on Academic Medicine: Its Privilege, Purpose, and Promise,” he analyzed the importance of leadership and ethics in academic medicine and the role it plays in the development of healthcare and research.

The event was attended by representatives of the church, local government authorities, members of the Teaching and Research Staff, administrative staff, as well as students of the institution.