While the Gouves Township is still a favourite holiday destination for thousands of visitors,
over the last several years the town has continually been taking on a second identity –
that of a self-contained year-round community, a full-fledged suburb of Iraklion.

Evidence of that fact can be found by simply taking a stroll down Kokkini Hani's
main street, along the beach road and up the road leading to Anopoli.

In addition to numerous new homes, more and more shops and businesses are open year-round,
and just about every new business opened this past year caters to local
residents instead of aiming exclusively at seasonal trade.

Prominent among these new businesses are the medical practitioners who have opened offices on Kokkini's main street
– a microbiologist, a pathologist and a dental surgeon. All three selected Kokkini
for their practice because of its new-found status as a growing suburban community,
while, at the same time, holding on to its other identity – that of a lovely seaside village.

Meet the Medical Men

Dr. Vasilis Koubanis is a native of Kastoria in northwest Greece, but came to Crete after graduation from medical school at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki – and for the best of reasons. His intended bride, Christina Asvesta, a dentist, whom he met at university, was from Iraklion.

"I put in five years at Venizelion Hospital, where I chose my specialization in microbiology," Dr. Koubanis said. "It's the medical field that has fascinated me since I was a boy."

He went on to explain that a microbiology laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment, such as the one he opened this past May, is an important support practice for all doctors.

"That's why you always see doctors' offices opening up around or close to a laboratory," Dr. Koubanis said. "It is sometimes crucial that they get immediate results of haematological, biochemical and immune system tests, and, in the case of pre-natal care, a reading of the patient's hormones."

 And, this doctor makes house calls.

"Since Gouves Township has many villages, there are often cases of patients not being mobile or with special needs, especially with the elderly," he said. "In those instances we go to the home. And, Gouves has an excellent Help at Home team, which we are available to work with." 

In addition to his wife, the Koubanis family includes a two-year-old daughter, Malvina, and another girl, to be named Magdalini, is expected this month.

Dr. Vangelis Athousakis was born in Iraklion, having attended local primary and high schools before going off to achieve his lifetime dream of becoming a doctor of internal medicine at the University of Crete Medical School.

"I was always curious about human biology, and I've been studying it, in one way or another, since I was about seven years old," he said. "I never considered doing anything else."

After graduating from medical school, Dr. Athousakis did his specialization in pathology at Venizelion Hospital for five years before opening his office adjacent to Dr. Koubanis' microbiology lab – proving the point mentioned above.

"During my time at Venizelio, I worked in the specialized departments for diabetes, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis," he said. "They are very serious problems today and new findings are being discovered regularly, so we need to constantly supplement our knowledge . . . it's a continuous education process, but one that is fulfilling as we learn more about these diseases."

In his practice, Dr. Athousakis accepts health funds for municipal and community workers, health workers, farmers, electric and telephone company employees and IKA.

When the doctor finds the time to relax, he enjoys reading, especially anything written by Stephen King.

"And I still like to play the drums, something I learned when I was younger and played with a local band called Spinning Wheels," he said. "It's hard rock stuff – Iron Maiden is my favourite group."

At home, Dr. Athousakis and his wife, Anna Hristoforaki, have a lot to talk about. She's a paediatrician at University Hospital. Between their two busy schedules, they somehow found the time to have two children – Hara, 3, and Polihronis, 18 months.

Dental Surgeon Nikolaos Papadakis, another Iraklion native,
graduated from Aristotle University in Thessaloniki in 2004, and has
been continuing his education ever since with specialization training at various hospitals.

"My first three years after graduation, I worked in Athens – one year at a military hospital
and two in private practice," he said. "And now, I'm continuing further
– going for a medical degree in maxillofacial surgery,
including micro and corrective surgery at University Hospital."

Mr. Papadakis' busy day begins at 8 a.m. when he reports to the hospital for a full day of
training and practical experience, which continues until 3 p.m.
Then it's home to Kokkini Hani, a brief rest, and back to work at his dental office.   

 When, and if, he can find time to relax, Mr. Papadakis likes to return to nature – either mountain climbing or fishing.

"I have a favourite spot off the south coast where I dive with snorkel and mask and fish in the Libyan Sea," he said.
"Also, I've climbed local mountains around Lasithi, but someday I want to do more
serious climbing – like mount Olympus. Oh, yeah and I really unwind by playing the mandolin."

With Dr. Athousakis playing the drums, and soon-to-be doctor Papadakis
on the mandolin, Kokkini Hani may soon have its band – or Medicine Show.

For now, however, Mr. Papadakis must keep up his hectic schedule of 12-hour days,
following a complete vitamin program to help maintain his stamina.

"It's not a problem, since I have a good source for my supply of vitamins," he explained.
"My fiancée, Dina, recently opened a pharmacy right down the street."