Greek Community Plants Tree in Hippocrates Park

Pictured from left: Dale Greenstein, AHEPA Chapter 310; Dr. Hercules Panayiotou, chair of AHEPA Hippocratic Foundation; Dr. Vassilis Zannis, professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine; and Dr. John Marymont, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the USA College of Medicine.

The University of South Alabama and Mobile’s Greek community organization recently planted a Platanus Orientalis tree, propagated from the Tree of Hippocrates, at Hippocrates Park located adjacent to the USA College of Medicine.

Estimated to be 500 years old, the Tree of Hippocrates is located in Kos, Greece and is said to be a direct descendant of the original tree where Hippocrates – considered to be the father of western medicine – taught his students. Dr. Vassilis Zannis, professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, brought the offshoot from Greece to Mobile.

The tree was planted at Hippocrates Park, where a statue of the ancient Greek physician is the focal point between the USA Medical Sciences and Health Sciences buildings.

Built in 2016, Hippocrates Park was donated by the Mobile 310 chapter of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). Hippocrates joined Tholos, the structure located just southeast of the Whiddon Administration Building, as campus public art honoring the contributions of Greek civilization.

Click here to learn more about Hippocrates Park.