The capital of the Thessaly region of Greece, Larissa is known as “the city in the shadow of Mount Olympus.” With a population of approximately 130,000 residents, it is a city where ancient history and long tradition in agriculture meet the modern way of living. To the north and east, the Kamvounia mountains--Titaros, Olympus, Ossa and Mavrovouni--form a natural enclave. Here, the micro-climatic conditions create an ideal wildlife habitat and exceptionally fertile soil, which lends itself to the production of cotton, grains, watermelon, tobacco, vegetables, wine, and tsipouro (to name a few).

While Larissa may not be the most widely-known location in Greece, it sure has reason to be, especially among pre-meds. The Hippocratic Oath will take on new meaning upon finding out that Hippocrates, the great father of medicine himself, died here around 370 BC. If Greek Mythology is more your thing, you’ll want to visit the place where Achilles himself is believed to have been born. A great hub of Greek history without the tourist volume of Athens or Santorini, Larissa is the kind of city you can really make feel like home in a short period of time.

A healthcare center with a professedly patient-centered focus, the General Hospital of Larissa is located in Larissa's city center. Founded in 1889, it is housed in a mixture of new and historic buildings, accommodating 260 beds, and employing 750 staff. Unlike the University hospital, the General Hospital of Larissa is a private hospital. With many departments, and urgent care and outpatient services, this hospital provides an opportunity for Fellows to observe the private healthcare sector in Greece.