Dr. Georgios Matis is a functional neurosurgeon whose work focuses on neuromodulation, particularly in spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal therapies for treating chronic pain and spasticity. His career combines surgical expertise, international collaboration, and a strong dedication to advancing patient care. He serves as an Editorial Board Member of Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, the official journal of the International Neuromodulation Society, and Co-Chair of its Medical and Public Education and Engagement Committee. In addition, he is Secretary of the German Society for Neuromodulation. Licensed to practice medicine in Greece, Cyprus, Germany, and Switzerland, he has gained experience across multiple healthcare systems, which has broadened his understanding of how to deliver effective treatments in diverse settings. His perspective on medicine blends technical precision with empathy, a philosophy also reflected in his authorship of three books: Intrathecal Therapy and Ziconotide: A Comprehensive Guide for Pain Management, From Surgeons to Storytellers: Building Bridges with Patients in Neuromodulation, and Pain and Pulses: A Philosophical Dive into Spinal Cord Stimulation. Through these works, he seeks to combine scientific insight with the human side of pain and recovery, driven by the belief that neuromodulation can help create a future where pain is no longer inevitable.

We at CIO Global are proud to name Dr. Georgios Matis as the Dynamic European Business Icon of the Year 2025.

For Dr. Matis, stepping into the business dimension of medicine was a natural extension of his clinical work rather than a separate path. Neuromodulation involves more than surgical skill; it demands collaboration between healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, and industry innovators to ensure these therapies reach those who need them most. His leadership roles in international neuromodulation societies have taught him that advancing this field requires building sustainable structures where innovation, education, and accessibility work together. Collaborating with engineers, entrepreneurs, and educators has expanded his mission beyond the individual patient to a broader population who could benefit from new medical policies and technologies. In his view, when guided by ethics and a clear vision, the business side of medicine is not about profit but about magnifying positive impact and turning expertise into lasting change.

As a leader, Dr. Matis is guided by the belief that knowledge is meant to be shared and multiplied. His work in educational committees emphasizes the importance of making both professionals and the public aware of what neuromodulation can achieve. For him, leadership is about stewardship-protecting and extending the possibilities in patient care. His vision is rooted in the idea that innovation must serve humanity rather than the reverse. Whether he is writing books, performing surgeries, or working with colleagues across Europe, his aim is to pair technology with compassion. Each decision he makes is shaped by the belief that generosity toward the future starts with giving fully to the present, ensuring today’s work lays the foundation for a better tomorrow in pain management.

The challenges he has faced have been both systemic and personal. In neuromodulation, one of the greatest barriers is convincing healthcare systems, insurers, and sometimes other clinicians that these therapies are not last-resort measures but viable, life-changing options. Overcoming these barriers required persistence, education, and strong advocacy supported by scientific evidence. Through his editorial and committee work, Dr. Matis has contributed to shaping clinical guidelines and shifting professional perceptions. On a personal level, balancing ambition with resilience has been essential. He views setbacks as opportunities to refine his approach, much like how every move in surgery must be deliberate and precise. Building strong professional networks in the countries where he is licensed has allowed him to transform obstacles into opportunities for broader collaboration and knowledge exchange.

What makes Dr. Matis’s work stand out in Europe is its unique combination of science, philosophy, and cross-border adaptability. His multi-country medical licenses give him insight into various healthcare models, allowing him to tailor neuromodulation approaches to fit different cultural and clinical contexts. This adaptability ensures that patients across regions can benefit from the most effective therapies. His dedication to integrating education with practice is also exceptional-he aims to make complex medical knowledge accessible not just to specialists but to the public. This dual commitment, excelling in both surgical precision and public engagement, enables him to frame neuromodulation as more than a treatment-it becomes a shared mission across Europe.

To him, being a dynamic leader in medicine means anticipating and adapting to change while using it as a driver of progress. In a field where technology advances rapidly, this requires both staying informed about emerging developments and actively shaping the direction of innovation. Through his editorial and committee roles, he engages with global discussions to evaluate new ideas and translate them into effective clinical practices. Dynamism also involves inspiring diverse teams-engineers, clinicians, and support staff-to work together toward a shared vision. He believes that leadership in this context is about preparing for breakthroughs that may not yet be imagined, always keeping the path open for new possibilities while moving forward with purpose.

Among the many milestones in his career, Dr. Matis takes particular pride in improving patient outcomes through advanced neuromodulation systems. Witnessing patients who have suffered from chronic pain regain their ability to walk, work, and live more fully is a reward that goes beyond professional achievement. These moments reaffirm why he chose this path in the first place. His educational work, including books and training programs, has allowed other physicians to replicate these successes, creating a ripple effect that benefits patients far beyond those he personally treats. For him, pride comes not from the quantity of procedures performed but from the lives renewed and the knowledge shared with colleagues around the world.

In 2025, Dr. Georgios Matis sees Europe moving toward a more connected and collaborative healthcare landscape. The separation between medicine, technology, and policy is becoming less defined, making it possible for different fields to work together in new ways. In neuromodulation, this means stronger partnerships between doctors, data scientists, and industry leaders, which can lead to more precise and adaptable treatments for patients. He believes that this progress will require leaders who can navigate the ethical, cultural, and practical challenges of working across borders. With licenses to practice in several European countries, he is well-placed to contribute to the creation of shared frameworks that ensure advanced therapies like spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal drug delivery are offered more consistently and fairly across the continent. For him, the future will belong to those who can take Europe’s diversity and turn it into a strength.

Building strong teams is another area where Dr. Matis places great emphasis. In surgery, every member of the team is essential, and trust is the foundation that allows them to perform under pressure. He believes motivation grows when team members understand the value of their role and can see how their work directly improves patient outcomes. Outside the operating room, he fosters a culture of continuous learning by encouraging participation in workshops, research projects, and collaborative publications. He aligns with the idea that leadership is not about holding authority but about caring for and supporting the people you lead, creating both skilled and committed teams.

Balancing work with personal life is something he approaches with intention. He prioritizes being fully present wherever he is – focused in the hospital when with patients, and equally focused when spending time with his family or enjoying nature. He sees his writing not only as a professional contribution but as a personal outlet that allows him to reflect on the emotional side of his work. In this way, his professional and personal worlds support and enrich each other.

“Healing begins where science meets empathy.” – Dr. Georgios Matis

The greatest source of inspiration in his career comes from his patients. Their courage in the face of pain and their determination to reclaim their lives continually renew his commitment to his work. Their journeys are a constant reminder of why this field matters. In addition to his patients, he is inspired by mentors and colleagues who have encouraged him to think beyond conventional boundaries. International collaborations have shown him that while approaches to healing may differ, the underlying values of empathy and patient-centered care are universal.

For young professionals and entrepreneurs in Europe, Dr. Matis offers clear advice: develop both your skills and your vision. Technical mastery is essential, but so is the ability to see and act on future possibilities. He encourages them to accept failure as a natural part of progress, using each setback as a lesson. Adaptability, continuous learning, and integrity are, in his view, qualities that will allow the next generation to succeed no matter the industry.

His long-term aim is to make a lasting mark on neuromodulation by combining clinical excellence with a deep focus on education and accessibility. He wants advanced pain management therapies to be understood, available, and effective for patients everywhere. Beyond his own work as a surgeon, he plans to contribute to lasting systems – including educational programs, policy improvements, and international partnerships – that will continue to shape the field for years to come. For him, real influence is measured not only in immediate patient outcomes but also in the structures left behind to benefit future generations.

Looking ahead, his vision for the future is to create centers of excellence in neuromodulation that combine advanced research, expert training, and compassionate treatment under one roof. These centers would bring together medical professionals, scientists, and industry innovators to explore the full potential of therapies for chronic pain and spasticity. He also hopes to help shift the way society views pain – from something to be endured to something that can be actively treated with modern science and technology.

Starting in September, Dr. Matis will take on a new leadership role as head of the “Chronic Pain / Spasticity Unit – Neuromodulation” at Hygeia Hospital in Athens, Greece. This position marks an important step in his mission to advance care in this field, offering patients in Greece and beyond access to the latest neuromodulation therapies while also creating opportunities for education, research, and international collaboration. Through this role, he intends to continue building a future where no patient is left without hope and where the possibilities of neuromodulation are fully realized across Europe.

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