University of Groningen
An e-health driven national healthcare ecosystem
Schiza, Eirini
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Publication date: 2018
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Schiza, E. (2018). An e-health driven national healthcare ecosystem. University of Groningen.
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Acknowledgments
I
would like to thank God for protecting me and giving me strength, courage, good health, and the ability to push myself to the limits for carrying out this work.I would like to express my special appreciation and thanks to my enthusiastic and knowledgeable supervisor Professor Nicolai Petkov, who has been a tremen-dous mentor for me, patient, rigorous, and gave me the opportunity to be enrolled as PhD student at the University of Groningen. His guidance helped me during my research and writing of this thesis. I could not have imagined having a better advisor for my studies.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my father Professor Christos N. Schizas, who has been a truly dedicated mentor, and for the continuous support of my PhD study and related research, for his patience, motivation, and immense knowledge. His dedication helped me during my research and writing times of this thesis. Without his precious support it would have not been possible to complete this work.
My sincere thanks go also to Professor Constantinos S. Pattichis, who provided me an opportunity to join the eHealth lab of the University of Cyprus, he provided supervision and access to the research facilities and the other researchers there, and secured me participation in the EU funded projects; thank you Prof Pattichis.
Besides my advisors and collaborators, I would like to thank the Assessment Committee members: Professor Aiello, M., Professor Mantas, J. and Professor Vives Corrons, J.L., for their insightful comments and encouragement.
I would like also to thank my coworkers and friends at the eHealth Lab and the Computational Intelligence Lab of the University of Cyprus, Dr Maria Papaioan-nou, Dr Kleanthis Neokleous, Dr Anastasios Sofokleous, Marios Assos, Dr Andreas Neocleous, Dr Marios Neophytou, Dr Zinonas Antoniou, Dr Ioannis Constantinou, Mr Constantinos Loizou, and Dr Andreas Panayides for the stimulating discussions, for the sleepless nights we were working together, for comfort and understanding before deadlines, and for all the fun we have had during the last four years. I would also like to thank the University of Groningen and the University of Cyprus, without their financial support, this PhD would not have been possible.
Furthermore I would like to thank all my family. No words are enough describ-ing how much I love my mother Elena and father Christos and I appreciate the efforts they have put into giving me the life I have and for all the sacrifices that they have made for me and my sister; their prayers was what sustained us thus far. My father who has always looked out for my future and for being someone who I can talk to and receive a truly good advice. My mother who constantly reminded me and demonstrated that all I had to do was say the word and she would be present, if for nothing else than to just make me dinner; she always gave strength, motivation and hope; I love you mummy. My treasured sister Natasa (Dr of Medical Genetics) for supporting me spiritually throughout writing this thesis and in my life since I was born; I love you sister. My grandmother Maroulla who has always been there, pushing me a little bit for finishing my work and constantly praying for us I want to say I love you grandma. Part of the family are also our four dogs, who kept me company for many hours, sleeping next to me occasionally as I worked.
I would also like to thank my dear uncle Akis for his support, my cousins and all of my friends, especially Eva, who supported me and motivated me to strive towards my academic target. My love extents also to Tasoula Hadjitofi from The Hague, a successful business woman who puts humanitarian justice at the top.
My family’s love and support is the part in me that dictates who I am and who I will be and this brings to my memory my late grandparents Tasos, Nicos, and Eirini to whom I dedicate this Thesis.
