Ioannis Hatzibougias was born in Kozani in 1942. From 1961-1963, he received a scholarship to the Theagenio Cancer Hospital of Thessaloniki, receiving a diploma as a Technical Medical Assistant. In 1969 he received his degree in medicine. From 1970 to 1972 he served as a lieutenant in the Greek Army. In 1972-1973 he served as a rural service doctor.

From 1973-1976, he received from the Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) the speciality of Pathological Anatomy and one year later the speciality of Cytologist. In 1977 he was awarded his PhD with the grade of excellent from the Medical School of AUTH. From 1977 to 1979, he did further training in the then West Germany, in Essen as an Oberarzt.

He has authored numerous papers and publications in Greek and international journals. He has taken part in several seminars, lectures, and conference papers both in Greece and abroad. In 1985 he was elected full Professor of Anatomy at the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, where he served for many years as Head of the Department of Midwifery. He is the author of the book “Elements of Human Anatomy” for the students of the TEI. In 2009 he was unanimously voted Professor Emeritus.