Dr. Stamelos was born in Athens, Greece, in 1946. He immigrated to Chicago in 1952 along with his parents, George and Kanela, and his younger brother Bill. They first traveled by ship, the US Constitution, and were processed through Elis Island. Dr. Stamelos was educated in the Chicago Public Schools, attending Lane Tech High School, Wright Junior College and matriculating to Northwestern University, where he was awarded a Bachelors of Arts in Biological Sciences in 1967.
Upon graduation from Northwestern, he returned to his birth country to study medicine, graduating from the University of Athens in 1971 as a Doctor of Medicine. This was the start of Dr. Stamelos’ global reputation as an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Stamelos returned to Chicago in 1973, serving as a surgical intern at Illinois Masonic and completing his residency at Cook County Hospital in orthopedic surgery. After earning his board certification in orthopedic surgery, he went on to serve as Director of Orthopedics at Jackson Park Hospital, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Thorek Hospital and Chief of Surgery at Sacred Heart Hospital.
He served as the president of the Hellenic Medical Society, and published articles on orthopedic surgery in American and European peer-reviewed medical journals. Dr. Stamelos pioneered arthroscopic spine surgery in the Midwest, and was regularly featured on television on laser orthopedic surgical procedures.
In 1998 he was awarded board certification as an orthopedic surgeon in the 15 European Union countries. According to one colleague, Dr. Stamelos was a healer, who cared for every patient, even those who were unable to pay. In the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Dr. Stamelos traveled to Port-au-Prince at his own expense, living in a tent in an improvised medical camp in the Haiti capital. He performed hundreds of orthopedic surgeries on earthquake victims who had been injured in collapsing buildings.
Dr. Stamelos married his wife Angeliki (Kiki) in 1983. They had three beautiful children together, Amanda, George, and Rebecca. As they recollect, their father was their biggest fan; always putting them first and giving them never ending confidence. Dr. Stamelos loved his work – but was happiest when the family was sleeping under the same roof.
Funeral services will be private, however, the Funeral can be viewed live on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 9am, by visiting http://www.st.georgechicago.net. Interment to follow at Ridgewood Memorial Park in Des Plaines, and the graveside service can also be viewed by visiting www.https://www.facebook.com/jgadinamis. Memorial tributes made in Spiros’ name may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
May His Memory Be Eternal.
