Efstathios George Metropoulos

Dr. Efstathios George Metropoulos, age 88, of Grosse Pointe Farms, died unexpectedly on December 15, 2022. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of George and Eugenia Metropoulos. He received his MD degree and BS in Chemistry from Wayne State University in 1959; and began post-graduate training in Internal Medicine where he met and married Dr. Aspasia Mazi, native of Athens, Greece, who came to Detroit for post-graduate training in pediatrics and internal medicine. She predeceased him after 47 years of marriage. They would have been married 64 years this January. Efstathios further trained in Nuclear Medicine at the University of Michigan. He and his wife practiced medicine together for numerous decades in the Detroit Metropolitan area.

Efstathios was a visionary who could see the future of medicine decades before changes occurred. Together they pioneered the cutting edge of medical technology and informatics, medical imaging, and health care delivery; remaining on the forefront of medicine and healthcare throughout their careers. They incorporated the evolving diagnostic technologies of the time into their practice, including nuclear medicine and ultrasound in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, before CT and MRI.

In the 1960’s, he opened a cutting-edge automated laboratory testing service similar to what occurs today, but during an era when all testing was manual and a CBC was still performed by microscope and a manual cell counter. Automated chemistry and other advanced analytical testing were also performed that provided services to medical facilities throughout the state of Michigan including larger institutions like Michigan State University. Efstathios authored a manual on the interpretation of the biochemical panels and associated diagnoses.

In addition to their private practice patients, they established a computerized diagnostic center around 1970, which housed its own mainframe computer, years before PC’s and the microchip. Patients were entered into the computer and assigned a photo-optical card that was inserted into each testing station identifying the patient and sending all clinical data into the mainframe computer. A computer-generated report, including computer-interpreted EKG, was mailed to the patient’s physician. Teletype equipment and telephone couplers also could be installed at referring practices to receive reports via phone line, before the age of fax machines and e-mails. He would recall that his colleagues used to tell him that he was 20 years ahead of his time, and he would respond “No, you are 20 years behind the times.”

After their first 30 years in practice and patients who were growing older, Efstathios launched one of the first physician home care services around 1992, providing medical care by a staff of physicians to homebound patients in their homes.

In his personal life, beyond his passion for medicine, Efstathios was an accomplished violinist, spoke several languages, enjoyed traveling the globe, and was drawn to all academic interests. He was an avid yachter and hailed out of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club and Detroit Yacht Club, serving as Fleet Surgeon of the Detroit Yacht Club for 8 years. He also was a member of the Grosse Pointe Farms Boat Club and a charter member of the Renaissance Club. He particularly enjoyed this year on Lake Saint Clair with the prolonged summer and 70-degree days into mid-November.

Most of all, he was an affectionate and caring husband and father who spoiled his family with unbounded love. Efstathios is survived by his three loving and devoted sons, Dr. George, Professor John, and Dr. Peter Metropoulos. In addition to his wife Aspasia, he was also pre-deceased by his parents George and Eugenia Metropoulos, his sister, Helen Metropoulos, and his brother, John Metropoulos.

The family is mourning privately. You may honor Efstathios’ memory by spending time with your loved ones and appreciating still having them in your lives.