Tbilisi State Medical University and Emory University started collaboration in early 1990s of the XXth century. Professor Kenneth Walker of Emory School of Medicine initiated this Alliance over 25 years ago. Dr. Walker was one of the first American partners of the Tbilisi State Medical University. Numerous successful healthcare reforms and developments (development of first pediatric and adult emergency medicine in the post soviet world, continuous nursing education programs, establishment of “Kobaladze Center for Research and experiential Learning” etc) are directly linked to Dr. Walker’s work in Georgia. Among Dr. Walker’s most significant acomplishments in Georgia is the development of American MD Program at Tbilisi State Medical University.The program is highly demanded medical curriculum in the region, with gaining global popularity.
Although American MD program opened doors to its first class in 2013, several years of successful intensive collaboration between two universities and countries was a strong foundation on which it was built. American MD Program is lead by Vice Rector of the Tbilisi State Medical University, Professor Rima Beriashvili and Director of Educational Programs at Emory School of Medicine, Dr. Archil Undilashvili. Assistant Dean for Education, Professor Gordon Churchward and Professor of Oncology, Dr. Mary Jo Lechovicz of the Emory School of Medicine, are leading constant development and quality assurance efforts of the program. Continuous meetings and workshops at TSMU and Emory, involving academic and administrative personel of two universities guarantee the success of the program.
31 students joined first class of American MD Program in 2013. Since then, demand for the program has been significantly increasing and nowadays 236 students from Georgia(95), USA, Canada, Israel, Portugal, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Lituania, India, Bangladesh and UAE study in the program.
One of the most significant highlights of the American MD Program is active and constantly strenngthening collaboration with US partners, led by Emory university. Emory University and TSMU share experience and promote innovations in the program through regular exhange of academic and administrative personel. Over 100 visits took place in Tbilisi and Atlanta Since the start of the American MD Program. Emory University supports American MD Program at Tbilisi State Medical University not only within the framework of curriculum but offeres exclusive extraculricular activities such as experiential programs, “Summer and Winter at Emory”.