From Students to Practitioners: Celebrating the EIIHS Class of 2026

On 20 June 2026, the European Institute of Integrative Health Sciences gathered at The Sanctuary in Athens to celebrate a milestone that holds special significance in the history of our institution: the graduation of the EIIHS Class of 2026.

Surrounded by faculty, fellow students, family members, and friends, three graduates crossed the threshold from student to practitioner, marking an important milestone in journeys defined by years of study, clinical training, personal growth, and dedication to the art and science of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

This year's graduates (pictured below from left to right) were Kamil Qandil, Eleftheria Spyridaki, and Paulina Kryszkiewicz.

While each arrived at EIIHS through a different path, all three joined the institution during its formative years. As members of one of our earliest cohorts, they have witnessed the evolution of EIIHS from an ambitious vision into a thriving international educational community. Their journeys have unfolded alongside the growth of the school itself, making this graduation a meaningful milestone not only for them, but for the institution as a whole.

EIIHS Co-Founders Dr. Georgette Young, Allison Simpson, Benjamin Saez, Dr. Aram Akopyan, and Director of Academic Affairs Armine Tsaturyan pose with the 2026 graduating class of EIIHS.

More Than a Ceremony

At EIIHS, graduation is more than the presentation of a diploma. It is an opportunity to pause and recognise the commitment, resilience, and growth required to pursue a healthcare profession.

For Kamil, Eleftheria, and Paulina, this moment represents years of study, clinical training, patient interaction, mentorship, and personal development. Throughout their time at EIIHS, they have participated in intensive clinical experiences, worked directly with members of the community, and developed the professional skills required of modern healthcare practitioners.

While final examinations and academic requirements remain part of the completion process, graduation day provides a meaningful opportunity for students, faculty, family, and friends to come together and celebrate the journey that has brought them to this point.

For institutions like EIIHS, these moments also serve as a reminder that education is not merely about acquiring knowledge. It is about developing the judgement, professionalism, compassion, and lifelong commitment to learning that define excellent practitioners.

The EIIHS Practitioner's Pledge

One of the most meaningful moments of the ceremony came as the graduates stood together to recite the EIIHS Practitioner's Pledge, publicly affirming the values that will guide their professional lives as healthcare practitioners.

Today, I pledge: To serve with compassion. To practise with integrity. To honour the dignity of every person. To continue learning throughout my life. To use my knowledge responsibly and ethically. To seek healing, relieve suffering, and do no harm. To uphold the values of my profession and my alma mater, EIIHS. This I solemnly affirm.

The pledge reflects EIIHS's belief that technical knowledge alone is not enough. Great practitioners are defined equally by their character, humility, ethics, and commitment to lifelong learning.

A Chancellor's Reflection

During the ceremony, Chancellor Allison Simpson reflected on the significance of the moment and the trust placed in healthcare practitioners by those seeking care.

Speaking from her unique perspective as both a co-founder of EIIHS and a long-term patient who has personally experienced the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine, she shared:

"You have my full trust in everything you are about to go out and do in the world. There are so many people who are suffering and searching for answers. Having worked with each of you individually, I know the care, skill, and compassion you will bring to those who place their trust in you."

She also spoke about the impact the institution and its students have had on her own life:

"Because of this institute, because of the students learning and working here, I can tell people how much better I am doing."

Her remarks served as a reminder that the work of healthcare extends beyond treatments and techniques. At its heart lies the opportunity to improve lives, restore hope, and accompany others through some of their most difficult moments.

Looking Ahead

The graduation ceremony marks both an ending and a beginning.

For Kamil, Eleftheria, and Paulina, it represents the closing of one chapter and the beginning of the next. Although final academic requirements remain to be completed, this moment offered an opportunity to recognise the dedication, perseverance, and growth that have brought them to the threshold of professional practice.

As members of one of the earliest graduating cohorts in EIIHS history, they now become part of a growing alumni community that will help shape the future of Traditional Chinese Medicine and integrative healthcare both in Greece and internationally.

Students celebrate alongside the family and friends of the graduates.

Today we celebrate not only what they have accomplished, but what lies ahead: the patients they will serve, the communities they will support, and the countless lives they will touch through their work.

Begin Your Own Journey

Every practitioner begins as a student.

The graduates we celebrate today once sat where many prospective students now find themselves—curious about Traditional Chinese Medicine, passionate about helping others, and searching for an educational experience that would challenge them to grow both personally and professionally.

Through rigorous academic study, hands-on clinical training, mentorship from experienced faculty, and a supportive international community, they developed the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to enter the profession.

If you are considering a future in Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, or integrative healthcare, we invite you to learn more about the EIIHS experience.

Book an Admissions Call today and discover how your journey could begin.

→ Schedule an Admissions Call

On behalf of the entire EIIHS community, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Kamil, Eleftheria, and Paulina.

We are proud of all that you have accomplished, grateful for the role you have played in the story of EIIHS, and excited to see the impact you will make in the years ahead.

Congratulations, Class of 2026.