Member of the Month, June 2015: Elias A. Iliadis MD FACC

 

DSCN2274

 

  1. Who are you and what do you do professionally?

I was born and raised in Freehold, New Jersey and worked in my family’s restaurant (as many did) through college and medical school (Rutgers Med).  Training consisted of Internal Medicine at Jefferson, Cardiology at Rush Presbyterian in Chicago and Interventional Cardiology at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.   I was recruited to Cooper University Hospital as associate director of the cardiac cath lab and director of Peripheral vascular interventions and vascular medicine program for the last 12 years.

  1. What is your career?

My practice is focused on the treatment and prevention of cardiac and vascular disease while teaching residents and fellows.  My cardiology practice is both primary and secondary prevention including treatment of acute coronary syndromes and chronic coronary artery disease with cath lab based and office based treatments.  My peripheral vascular practice consists of treatment of arterial and more recently venous disease including pulmonary venous disease.

  1. What is your connection to Greece?

My father and mother were from Pontos and came to the United States to seek a better life for themselves and their family.  They instilled the classic immigrant mentality of hard work and education in me and my brothers (Engineer and business owner).  I married a woman I met in Greek class in college (Katherine Dedes) and kept my family in the Greek community wherever we lived.

  1. Why are you an HMS member?

I believe it is our responsibility to shape the future of our community and support the youth in medical careers.  I was the recipient of the New York Hellenic Medical Society scholarship and felt we can bring that level of involvement here also.  I applaud those who give scholarship support to students but I also believe the HMS, through our contacts, can support students through giving them a career opportunity.

  1. What do you do outside of your profession?

My family and I enjoy our shore home in Delaware and sharing our time with family and friends.  We have become the Crew parents during rowing seasons, Softball parents during softball season and St Joseph’s parents during the college year.  We follow our kids; it’s what Greek parents do.