Born in Athens in 1962, Nikolaos Koutsifopoulos grew up in the Archaeological Museum area. In 1979, he graduated from Leonteio Lyceum in Nea Smyrni (Lycée Leonin) and in 1980, he was admitted to the Military Academy of Combat Support Officers (SSAS) and the Medical Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
He received his medical degree in 1986 and in 1989, he started his General Surgery specialty initially at the 251 General Air Force Hospital and then at Evangelismos Hospital (2nd Department of Surgery).
In 1994, he obtained the title of General Surgeon and began working as a Consultant Surgeon at the 251 General Air Force Hospital until his retirement in 2007.
From 1998-1999, he worked as rés du Service de Chirurgie du Sein (Director Dr. Chrishna Clough) at the Curie Institute Hospital (Paris) and trained in the Pathology, Imaging, Surgical, and Oncoplastic Surgery of the Breast. During his stay, he participated in a research program under the supervision of the French Government on the “Individualisation su Ganglion Axillaire Sentinelle dans les Cancers Operables du Sein” (Dr. J. F. Rodier).
From 1999-2007, he served as Head of the Breast Clinic at the 251 General Air Force Hospital.