Dr Emmanuel Dretakis was a cofounder of the European Hip Society in 1992 in Hamburg, Germany, and the very first President of the EHS.

As EHS’s first President, he organised the 1st EHS Congress in Crete, Greece, in 1994, welcoming over 200 delegates and accepting 105 abstracts.

He was also later the President of the Greek Orthopaedic Association and the mastermind and cofounder of the Medical School of Heraklion in Crete, Greece. Dr Dretakis was well published in research literature, focused mainly on hip fractures.

At the 16th EHS Congress Thessaloniki 2025 (17-18th October 2025), Dr Emmanuel Dretakis was an Honoured Guest and received a Lifetime Achievement Award, which his son Dr Kosta Dretakis (also an orthopeadic surgeon) collected in his place. From his home in Crete, he sent a wonderful video message to EHS members, which was a highlight of the EHS Opening Ceremony (available here below).

Dr Emmanuel Dretakis passed away at the age of 99 years on 8th November 2025.