George Kalamitsis

George Kalamitsis

General Secretary, Greek Patients Associaton, Greece

Focused on health policy, I have been working extensively with multiple stakeholders focusing on patients’ rights as well as building communication channels with organizations and governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, on a National, European, and International level. I have been participating in multiple, think tanks, Advisory Boards, Publications, and Healthcare Observatory Initiatives, in a national and international level. Through challenging socioeconomic times, I have managed to empower the patient’s movement and achieve important reforms. I also have a deep knowledge of populations, groups, and subgroups: Consumers, Shoppers, Patients, Physicians, Pharmacies, Industry, WHO, OECD, European Parliament, ECDC, EMCDDA, etc. I have been  exposed and adapted to many cultures and ethnicities due to multicultural upbringing in the USA and Greece and I am respectful of cultural and race diversity. Work Experience 2012-01 - Current President Hellenic Liver Patient Association «Prometheus», Non-Governmental Organization, Athens, Greece • Government Affairs - Stakeholder mapping - Develop and maintain a comprehensive network of stakeholders, National,European and International level - Participate in engagement activities with governmental agencies and NGO - Monitor political, regulatory, legislative changes and economic trends • Public Affairs - Establish and maintain good relationships with stakeholders to open communication channels - Monitor the activities of Parliament and other relevant bodies, National, European and International - Raise the profile of the Organization - Public relations with journalists - Provide strategic communication advice • Raise funding - Researching sponsorships - Writing funding proposals - Developing fundraising events - Organizing campaigns that lead to donations 2019-01 - Current President Liver Patients International, Non-Governmental Organization, Athens, Greece • Government affairs • Advocacy, Public Affairs 2019-01 - Current Secretary General - Founding Member Greek Patients Association, Non-Governmental Organization, Athens, Greece • Government Affairs • Advocacy, Public Affairs 2005-01 - 2010-12 Psychologist • Free-lance professional, Athens, Greece Active Participation in various Government and non- government bodies • Central Board of Health (KESY), Ministry of Health, Athens, Greece (Board Member) • Committee of Experts for Public Health, Ministry of Health, Athens, Greece (Member) • Documents & Product Advertising, National Organization of Medicines (EOF), Athens, Greece (Member) • Committee of the National Action Plan for Hepatitis C, Greek Ministry of Health, Athens, Greece (Member) • Committee of the National Action Plan for Hepatitis C, Greek Ministry of Health, Athens, Greece (Member) • Committee Protecting the Rights of Health Services Recipients, Greek Ministry of Health, Athens, Greece (Chair) • Scientific, Advisory Committee of the National Action Plan for Hepatitis C, Greek Ministry of Health, Athens, Greece (Member) • Hepatitis B & C Public Policy Association, Non-Governmental Organization, Athens, Greece (Member) • World Hepatitis Alliance, Non-Governmental Organization, Athens, Greece (Board Member) • Achieve Coalition, Athens, Greece (Co-chair)  Education 2018-09 - 2022-12 Master of Science: Public Health - London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine - London, UK 2008-09 - 2012-06 Bachelor of Science: Psychology and Human Development - SUNY Empire State College - Athens, Greece 2011-09 - 2011-12 Certificate: Counselling For Addiction - National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - Athens, Greece 2004-09 - 2007-06 Certificate: Counseling Skills - COSCA “Counseling & Psychotherapy” - Scotland, UK 2002-09 - 2004-06 Diploma: Counseling And Therapy Skills - Transaction Analysis Athens Synthesis Center - Athens, Greece 1999-09 - 2001-06 Diploma: Hotel Management - Le Monde Institute of Hotel & Tourism Studies - Athens, Greece Achievements - Expand access for HCV treatments Cooperation with Ministry of Health & social security fund to secure reimbursement for HCV treatments 2016-1017 Access for all patients in Greece  Internal lobbying Τhe State Council Price negotiation of HCV drugs  - Formulate the first negotiation committee for price-volume negotiation for HCV treatments. Secure annual close budget 2017-2019  Trust the data Increase volume of patient under treatment. Annual close budget secure - Found the Greek Patients Association Founder and Secretary General of the GPA 2020 Establishment of civil society at the decision-making process Technocratic approach, education and patient movement - Hepatitis becoming a global priority when 194 governments pledged to its elimination by 2030 Global elimination strategy adopted 2016 Global elimination strategy adopted by UN members Influence Global Policy by join forces - Hepatitis C - National Plan Development of a national strategy to eliminate HCV as a public health threat 2017 Presentation of the Hepatitis National Plan National plans should be budgeted accordingly - Drug Consumption rooms law Cooperation with Prime Minister and Major of Athens for the DCRs Law 2019-2020 Adoption of the DCRs Law from the Greek Parliament The importance to understand the open policy window opportunity - Social policy for the Major of Athens Manage Covid-19 pandemic for vulnerable populations for the City of Athens 2021 Mayor of Athens logger for Athens Covid response regarding vulnerable populations Skills Communication - Public Speaking, Empathy, Active Listening, Body Language - Excellent Organization - Goal Setting, Time Management, Delegating, Prioritization - Excellent TeamWork - Collaboration, Dedication, Respect, Liability, Encouragement - Excellent Leadership - Decision Making, Coaching, Risk Taking, Training, Planning - Excellent Collaboration - Goal Setting, Engagement, Transparency, Motivation - Excellent Languages Greek - Excellent American English - Excellent