On March 3, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the Medical School of the University of Crete as a WHO Collaborating Centre in Quality of Care and People-Centred Health Policies.

The Centre is committed, over a four-year period, to implementing three pillars of action and is open to participation from any interested member of the Medical School and the wider University of Crete community:

• Dissemination of knowledge and engagement of societal stakeholders to establish policies based on population needs in the Mediterranean region.
• Development of infrastructure and tools to upgrade health services, with a focus on compassionate care and dignity.
• Standardization of processes for delivering patient-centred care and facilitating navigation within health systems.

The official certification was awarded to the Medical School during a closed WHO event at the Ministry of Health in Athens. The certification was received from the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Kluge, by Emeritus Professor Mr. Christos Lionis, who led the effort, on behalf of the Dean of the Medical School, Professor Ms. Eleni Papadaki.

The official public ceremony to mark the designation of the Medical School of the University of Crete as a WHO Collaborating Centre will take place on May 19, 2026.