Dr. Apostolos John Tsiouris of New York and Southampton died on March 11 in New York City, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 53.
He was chief of the division of Neuroradiology at Weill Cornell Medicine and professor of clinical radiology at Weill Cornell Medical College.
Tsiouris was born on January 11, 1972, at Larissa General Hospital in Larissa Greece. The family moved to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, in 1975, where Tsiouris attended St. Anselm’s School and Poly Prep Country Day School. As a child growing up in Brooklyn, he made lifelong friends and returned often to Greece to spend time with his extended family there.
Tsiouris went on to undergraduate studies at the Johns Hopkins University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1993. He attended medical school at the Weill Cornell Medical College, graduating Alpha Omega Alpha in 1997. He completed his residency in diagnostic radiology and fellowship in neuroradiology at the New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he remained for his entire career.
Tsiouris was a dedicated, well respected neuroradiologist, outstanding clinician scholar, dedicated educator, researcher, mentor and internationally renowned speaker. His teachings reached broad audiences through invitations from the ASNR, ENRS, ASFNR, RSNA, and the Salzburg Medical Seminars. His expertise extended to publishing, where he edited a case-based review textbook on brain imaging, authored numerous book chapters, and published over 120 peer-reviewed papers that reflected his commitment to sharing and advancing neuroradiology knowledge within the community.
He was recognized as a teacher and mentor through multiple awards not only in his field of radiology, but also in the fields of neurosurgery and ophthalmology. He was most recently the recipient of the American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR)’s prestigious Outstanding Contributions in Neuroradiology Education award. As a clinician, Tsiouris was consistently recognized by his peers as one of Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors. As a scientist, he made significant contributions to the field of neuroradiology with his research on cerebrovascular disease, traumatic brain injury, quantitative susceptibility mapping and other areas.
A true perfectionist, he brought excellence to all his pursuits. He enjoyed sports and was a wrestler in high school. He was passionate about basketball, which he shared with his daughters. Once introduced to golf, he practiced religiously and enjoyed playing with friends and family. He was a loyal Mets and New York Giants fan. A highlight was attending the 2012 Super Bowl in person and witnessing the Giants’ victory.
Tsiouris met his wife, Justine, one summer evening in Southampton at a clambake hosted by mutual friends. They were married on September 30, 2006, surrounded by family and friends at the Church of St. John Baptiste in New York City. Together they built a beautiful life of shared values, sharp wit, quiet strength, fine experiences, community and family. The love they had for each other and unwavering support they gifted each other is a shining guide for their children.
A devoted family man despite a demanding schedule, Tsiouris prioritized time spent with his wife and two daughters at their home in Manhattan, their house in Southampton and on trips to Florida, the Bahamas and Greece. He would spend weekends taking them to golf, swimming at the beach, movie nights and stops for the girls’ favorite doughnuts.
Tsiouris will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched within his professional sphere and his loyal community of friends, but none more so than his loving family who will always hold him in their hearts, his family said. He was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and uncle whose brilliant mind, assured confidence, passionate beliefs and loving heart affected so many whose paths crossed with his, they said. Dedicated and driven to his very core, he continued his work until the last week of his life, helping his team and staying strong for his family, passing away with grace and dignity.
He is survived by his wife, Justine Frances Schiro; daughters Elisabeth Tomasina Tsiouris and Annabel James Tsiouris; parents Ioannis Apostolos Tsiouris and Despina Tsiouris; brother Simon John Tsiouris (Fatima); and brother-in-law James Joseph Schiro Jr. (Aileen); nephews and niece, John Lucas, Zachary, Jimmy and Serena.
In lieu of flowers, gifts to Weill Cornell Medicine, memo: Dr. Apostolos John Tsiouris Chief’s Endowment in Neuroradiology, would be appreciated by the family.