For Theodore Pezas, ACS Athens was where he nurtured his strong academic aspirations. Enrolled alongside his brother Dimitri in 1993, the Pezas family had deep roots in the ACS community: their father, Paul, was a proud ’75 graduate, and their mother, Christine, later joined the staff.

After graduating in 2003, Ted pursued medical training in the UK at institutions including University College London, Imperial College London, King’s College London, and the University of Oxford. Today, he practices as a plastic surgeon with subspecialty interests in aesthetic and paediatric plastic surgery.

His early years at ACS Athens laid the foundation for this path. As recipient of the Warren Shepherd Award and captain of multiple sports teams, he credits the school for instilling values of leadership, teamwork, and resilience. “Those qualities continue to guide me in the operating theatre, where collaboration and empathy are equally as important as technical skill.”

Currently, the National Training Interface Group Fellow at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Ted has also trained at Great Ormond Street Hospital from Children NHS Foundation Trust, with the goal of one day returning to Greece to raise the standards of care for patients born with congenital conditions like cleft lip and palate. “Progressing surgical innovation, expanding access to care and mentoring future surgeons is the legacy I hope to build. Education is central to it all.”

Ted has earned national recognition for clinical excellence, research and leadership — honors he humbly credits to the mentors and colleagues who shaped him. “True success isn’t defined by titles but by the impact we leave — through the lives we touch, mentors who guide us and knowledge we pass on.”

Now based in the UK, Ted continues to find strength in family and inspiration in purpose.

To the Class of 2026, he offers this:

“Cherish the friendships and shared experiences that ACS gives you — they’ll last a lifetime. Embrace curiosity, take meaningful risks and never underestimate the value of integrity and kindness. Success is not a straight line — it’s built through persistence, relationships and the courage to grow.”

We look forward to welcoming Ted back to campus to inspire the next generation of ACS Athens students.

Theodore Pezas - Class of 2003

Plastic Surgeon

National Training Interface Group (TIG) Fellow in Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust