[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 36 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E486-E487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COMMENDING DR. PANAYOTIS IATRIDIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 1998

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to commend Dr. 
Panayotis Iatridis, a decorated physician who has devoted his life to 
the scholarly pursuit of medical education, on his 23rd anniversary as 
Assistant Dean and Director of the Northwest Center for Medical 
Education at the Indiana University School of Medicine. In honor of his 
23 years of outstanding service, the Advisory Council for the Northwest 
Center for Medical Education will host a recognition dinner on the 
evening of Saturday, March 28, 1998, at the Radisson Hotel at Star 
Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana.
  On July 1, 1975, Dr. Iatridis was named Director of the Northwest 
Center for Medical Education, where he had served as Associate 
Professor and Director of the Physiology Course for medical students 
since 1972. During his 25 years with the Northwest Center, he has been 
integrally involved in every aspect of its operation, including the 
curriculum, administration, and service to students. As a member of the 
faculty, Dr. Iatridis organized and implemented a variety of courses, 
seminars, educational programs, and conferences for medical students, 
graduate students, post-doctoral trainees, faculty, and physicians in 
Northwest Indiana. Perhaps Dr. Iatridis' most noteworthy contribution 
to the Northwest Center's curriculum came in 1990, with his development 
and implementation of the ``Regional Center Alternative Pathway'', 
which is the educational program for first- and second-year medical 
students. Dr. Iatridis is also responsible for all administrative and 
academic affairs of the Northwest Center, and he has devoted much of 
his time to assisting medical students through different aspects of 
counseling and advising, including pre-medical student counseling and 
research project advising.
  In addition to his dedicated work with the Indiana University School 
of Medicine, Dr. Iatridis has utilized his talents for the betterment 
of the Northwest Indiana community. Some of the organizations he has 
served include the City of Gary Economic Development Commission, the 
Gary Community School Corporation, the Lake and Porter County Medical 
Society Care of the Indigent Committee, and the Northwest Indiana Forum 
Foundation. Dr. Iatridis has also served as a board member of the 
Porter County Mental Health Association, Vice-Chairman of the Lake 
County Community Health Association, Chairman of the Lake County 
Medical Advisory Committee of the Community Health Association, the 
Program Committee of the Gary Rotary Club, and the Porter Starke 
Infection Control Committee.
  Dr. Iatridis has received numerous prestigious awards, honors, and 
recognitions for his many professional and public service achievements. 
In recognition of his professional accomplishments, he received a 
Special Recognition for Outstanding Contributions to Medical Education 
by the Asian-American Medical Society, in 1991; a commendation from the 
Asian-American Medical Society for Outstanding Contribution to Medical 
Education in Northwest Indiana, in 1997; and the Wisdom Award of Honor 
from the Wisdom Society

[[Page E487]]

for the Advancement of Knowledge, Learning, and Research in Education, 
earlier this year. For his service to the community, Dr. Iatridis 
earned the Hank Jacobsen Award from the Gary Rotary Club, in 1985; the 
Edgar L. Mills Community Service Award from the Post-Tribune, in 1987; 
and the Medal of St. Paul from the Archdiocesan of the Greek Orthodox 
Church of North and South America.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in commending Dr. Panayotis Iatridis on the occasion of his 23rd 
anniversary as Assistant Dean and Director of the Northwest Center for 
Medical Education. His wife, Catherine, their two daughters, Yanna and 
Mary, and their two granddaughters, Katerina and Anastasia, should be 
proud of his achievements. Indeed, Dr. Iatridis' efforts have made an 
indelible mark on the advancement of medical education, as well as an 
improvement in the quality of life for everyone in Northwest Indiana.

                          ____________________