To Heal All, With Skill and Trust.
Dr. Paraskevas Pakataridis MD
About Dr. Pakataridis
Dr. Pakataridis was born in Kavala, Greece, in 2000. After completing his secondary education in Kavala, he moved to Sofia, Bulgaria, to pursue a degree in medicine. In 2024, he earned his Master's in Medicine from Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski," a distinguished institution in the region. Currently, he serves as a surgical educator at the Medical Simulation Centre of Lozentz - Sofia University, specializing in laparoscopic and robotic surgical training.
From an early age, Dr. Pakataridis was drawn to science, and during his medical studies, he became actively involved in research. He has a strong interest in general surgery and has gained extensive practical experience, assisting as a first surgical assistant in over 400 major operations in both hospital and private settings.
His commitment to high-quality research and medical education has taken him to numerous international congresses, particularly in the United States, where he connected with key mentors. Dr. Pakataridis is currently preparing for the USMLE examinations while working on multiple research projects with his team, focusing on colorectal and HPB surgery, surgical simulation, IBD, and neurosurgery.
He is a member of several prestigious international societies, including the American College of Surgeons (ACS), and serves as a committee member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES).
Research Matters
Dr. Pakataridis firmly believes that a commitment to high-quality, evidence-based medicine and active research is essential for every physician. He emphasizes that research is critical for healthcare professionals to stay informed and continually improve their clinical practice. Through the process of conducting research, clinicians not only advance their knowledge but also enhance their ability to deliver better patient care.
Dr. Pakataridis acknowledges that many young professionals may not fully appreciate the significance and impact of scientific publications, often leading to underrepresentation in research initiatives. He advocates for the active encouragement and mentorship of aspiring researchers, believing that by fostering their potential, we can drive the future of medicine forward.
Dr. Pakataridis reflects on the significant challenges he faced when first embarking on his research journey. Opportunities were scarce, and mentorship was limited, making it difficult to grasp the importance of research and its long-term benefits. It wasn’t until his fourth year of medical school, when he encountered a dedicated mentor, that he truly began to understand the foundations of research and how to effectively conduct it.
Building on the guidance of this mentor, Dr. Pakataridis dedicated himself to studying various research models and learning how to implement them. He taught himself critical aspects of the research process, including study design, ethical approvals, statistical analysis, manuscript writing, and the publication process.
Driven by his personal experience, Dr. Pakataridis is passionate about helping medical students, colleagues, and aspiring researchers who demonstrate interest and motivation. He believes mentorship is a cornerstone of medical education, emphasizing that individual success is limited without collaboration and support. In his view, when we work together, we can achieve far more than when we stand alone.
Medicine and Simulation
Dr. Pakataridis serves as a dedicated surgical simulation educator, recognizing the profound impact that simulation-based training can have on the development of medical students and residents. He believes that simulation provides an invaluable opportunity for learners to practice essential skills using advanced equipment, allowing them to build confidence and competence before performing procedures on real patients. Simulation training offers a controlled, risk-free environment where learners can make mistakes, refine their techniques, and improve their decision-making abilities.
However, Dr. Pakataridis emphasizes that while simulation is an excellent adjunct to surgical education, it cannot fully replicate the complexities of real-life surgery. Instead, it serves as a complementary tool that significantly enhances traditional surgical training. By enabling students and residents to practice procedures repeatedly, it accelerates their understanding of core surgical principles and anatomy, particularly in mastering the use of angled cameras and laparoscopic equipment, which can be initially disorienting.
Dr. Pakataridis also highlights the high levels of satisfaction reported by students and residents who engage in simulation-based training. Many acknowledge noticeable improvements in their technical skills and their ability to navigate complex anatomical structures. Through simulation, learners can become more proficient, ultimately leading to safer, more effective patient care in real-world clinical settings.
Furthermore, simulation is becoming an integral part of modern medical education, fostering a deeper understanding of minimally invasive techniques and promoting the development of non-technical skills, such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making. Dr. Pakataridis remains committed to advancing simulation-based education, advocating for its continued integration into surgical curricula as a powerful tool to enhance both technical and cognitive skills in the next generation of surgeons.
Research Work
1) Biological Effects of Hexapeptide Novokinin. Journal of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy
2) P259 Immune-mediated implications of SARS-CoV-2 in breast cancer patients. THE BREAST
3) Long-Term active surveillance for patients with micro-papillary thyroid carcinoma (MPTC) in Bulgaria. ESES 2023
4) Angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 blockade affects behavior, motor coordination, and thermal nociception in mice, Neuroscience Applied, ISSN 2772-4085, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nsa.2023.102599.
5) Long-term impairment of cognitive behavior and memory after intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin in rats. Scientific congress “KLIMENT’S DAYS”,
6) ANTINOCICEPTIVE EFFECTS OF NEWLY SYNTHETIZED VV-HEMORPHIN-7 ANALOGUES IN MICE; XIX International Congress of Medical Sciences
7) Analgesic effects of RGD VV-hemorphin-7 analogues. 18th National Conference with International Participation "Natural Sciences"
8) Effects of VV-hemorphin-7 analogues on nociception in mice. 3rd Scientific Conference “Neurosciences
9) The role of stimulation of cerebral angiotensin AT2 receptors in the control of emotional behavior and pain in spontaneously hypertensive rats. VIII National conference with international participation “Morphological Days”.
10) Early and late effects of stimulation of brain angiotensin AT2 receptors on memory formation in spontaneously hypertensive rats. VIII National conference with international participation “Morphological Days”.
11) Local antiinflammatory and antinociceptive effect of aminophosphonic valorphin analog.National Conference with international participation „Innovations in Drug molecules“.
12) Effects of AT2 receptor agonist novokinin on cognitive functions of spontaneously hypertensive rats with comorbid dementia- October 2023-36th ECNP Congress Barcelona
13) Chronic social stress impairs behavior and memory in adolescent rats: effects of an alkaloid fraction derived from Narcissus cv. Hawera- 36th ECNP Congress Barcelona
14) Alexander Stanishev, A Pioneer Surgeon and Educator Who Got Executed for His Political and Personal Ideas. -CLINICAL CONGRESS 2023- BOSTON- American College of Surgeons
15) PITFALLS AND DIFFICULTIES OF ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE FOR PATIENTS WITH LOW-RISK PAPILLARY THYROID CARCINOMA (PTC) IN BULGARIA- 11 YEARS EXPERIENCE- CAEK 2023
16) ‘The Hands of God’: The Legacy of Dr. Takanori Fukushima in Neurosurgery. September 2024. Conference: CNS 2024 Annual Meeting
17) Implementing Long-Term Active Surveillance for Patients with T1b Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Bulgaria: An Extended Monitoring Approach. May 2024. Conference: ESES 2024
18) Short-term Overactivation of The Balancing RAAS Axis Affects Behavior and Nociception in Mice. September 2024. Conference: ECNP 2024
19) Microvascular decompression: an effective approach for trigeminal neuralgia caused by a dolichoectatic basilar artery post-multiple treatment failures. September 2024 Journal of Neurological Surgery ReportsDOI:10.1055/a-2342-4086License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
MEDICAL SOCIETIES
1) SAGES- Committee Member
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
2) ACS- American College of Surgeons
3) ASCO- Americal Society of Clinical Oncology
4) AAES- American Association of Endocrine Surgeons
5) ESES- European Society of Endocrine Surgery
6) ESMO- European Society of Medical Oncology
