AHEPA marked the 250th anniversary of American independence Wednesday, July 29, in Philadelphia, presenting Dr. Elias A. Iliadis with the AHEPA Hellenism Award during an evening gathering overlooking Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
The event at The Liberty View at Independence Visitor Center was part of AHEPA’s 104th Supreme Convention, running July 26 through August 1 at venues across Philadelphia.
AHEPA Supreme President E. Chris Kaitson presented the award to Iliadis, a South Jersey cardiologist recognized for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic and his years of service to AHEPA, the Greek Orthodox Church and regional Greek-American organizations.
“I am honored as a physician to accept this award for the entire healthcare community,” Iliadis said.
He connected the recognition to his father’s involvement in AHEPA and to the responsibility of physicians and community organizations to serve others.
“That type of commitment to philotimo, to one another, to healthcare and to the community is what we all should be striving for,” he said.
Iliadis recalled how AHEPA Chapter 69 and District 5 delivered food and other support to healthcare workers during the pandemic.
He said nurses became emotional when volunteers arrived with meals. Even a simple sandwich could move exhausted hospital workers to tears because the gesture showed that someone recognized what they were doing and cared about what they were experiencing.
Iliadis is medical director of the Noninvasive Vascular Laboratory, program director for interventional cardiology fellows, and associate director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Cooper University Health Care. He is also an associate professor of medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
His Greek-American community work has included leadership positions with the Hellenic Medical Society of Philadelphia, the Hellenic Federation of New Jersey and the Greek American Heritage Society of Philadelphia.
Iliadis was invested as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2021 with the offikion Exarchos.
The gathering also connected AHEPA’s convention with Philadelphia’s role in the nation’s founding.
Kaitson said delegates had spent the week visiting the city’s museums and landmarks. He also saw members moving beyond familiar chapter groups and forming relationships with delegates from other cities.
“This is what AHEPA’s all about,” he said.
Daughters of Penelope Grand President Antoinette Marousis-Zachariades reflected on gathering near Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell during the nation’s 250th anniversary.
She was joined by Maids of Athena Grand President Stephanie Owens and Sons of Pericles Supreme President Basilios Ronstadt. Ronstadt noted that 2026 also marks the centennial of the Sons of Pericles.
AHEPA Supreme Past President Nick Karakostas connected the evening to his family’s immigrant experience. Karakostas said he arrived in New York at 2½ years old and grew up with the educational and professional opportunities available in the United States.
“At the same time, we never forgot to give back, and that’s where AHEPA comes in,” he said.
A traditional Greek dance performance followed the award presentation.
The convention continues through Saturday, August 1. The remaining program includes a veterans’ salute aboard the Battleship New Jersey, the AHEPA Family Grand Banquet, youth awards and the installation of the organization’s incoming officers.
Video by Vasilis Keisoglou.