Since the September of 1930, i.e. from the very foundation of Tbilisi State Medical Institute, one of its three faculties was the Sanitarian – Preventive Faculty with 3 specific profiles of Epidemiology, Communal Hygiene and Food Hygiene.
In September of 1934, with the order of superior bodies, the first 4 academic courses of Sanitarian – Preventive Faculty were closed and the students were disposed to corresponding academic years of Medical and Pediatric Faculties. The special classes were added to their program in the disciplines not corresponding with the requirements of Medical and Pediatric Faculties. Educational program was changed in the way which provided the qualified knowledge and competence of general sanitarians along with common medical background. The Sanitarian-Preventive Faculty issued only one current of graduates in June of 1935.
In September of 1937, the Faculty of Hygiene was opened again with 3 academic years. The first year students were enrolled by competition, and the second and third year courses were completed by students from Medical and Pedicatric Faculties, also with the students referred from other institutes. The curriculum of this faculty was designed on the duration of 5 years.
In 1949-50, the duration of the study at Sanitarian – Hygiene Faculty was intended on 6 years.
Subordinature was introduced at the faculty from 1970, and the internship was added from 1971 as one-year specialization.
The deans of the faculty at different times were professors: Nikoloz Demetradze, Guram Tatishvili, Mamia Dgebuadze, Vasil Katsitadze, Givi Kvanchakhadze – from 1973 to 1994; from 1994 to 1999 – Vadim Saakadze, 1995 – 2005 –Davit Gelovani, 2005 – 2006 – Bidzina Zurashvili, 2006 – 2007 – Mamuka Djibuti, 2007 – 2016 - Bidzina Zurashvili, 2016 -2020 – Professor Irakli Mchedlishvili, from 2020 - present Associate Professor Marina Tsimakuridze.
Famous scientists and public figures such as Vasil Katsitadze, Levan Sakvarelidze, Konstantin Katsitadze, Melenti Kurashvili, Ioseb Shengelia, Otar Shalamberidze, Makvala Zurabishvili and others have worked at the faculty.
Since 1997 the three-step study program was introduced at the faculty. The 1st step – study of fundamental disciplines (I-II years), 2nd step – study of specific hygiene and clinical disciplines (II-IV years) and 3rd – specialization of general profile (VI year), after which the common graduation (state certification) exam was held in hygiene, epidemiology and professional pathology. After passing the graduation exam, the new specialist was able to work as a GP in preventive medicine at medical – preventive institutions, or continue with study in residency.
In 1998 the Faculty changed its name from Sanitary Hygienic to Faculty of Preventive Medicine. In 2002, as per the decision of Faculty Chair, the name was changed once again to Public Health Faculty.
Presently the Faculty unifies two directions (Public Health/Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health) and consists of seven departments (Public Health, Health Care Management, Politics and Economics, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Health Promotion, Nutrition and Aging Medicine, Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, Foreign Languages.)
In 2007 School of Public Health was established under the Faculty. The school is still active today and offers several Masters’ Programs in addition.
In 2012 under the guidance of University Rector, Professor Zurab Vadachkoria second Bachelors’ Program “Public Health and Management” was created, together with a French partner Academy of Management and Performance “UniMan”. In 2015 the program had it’s first graduates. It should be noted that the graduates have 2 diplomas, one valid in Georgia, the second one valid n France.
Presently, according to the Georgian Law “On Higher Education” and the decision by Tbilisi State Medical University, the Bachelor’s degree was determined as the first step of higher education at the basis of changes performed at the Faculty of public Health, which resulted in the availability to the study with all three step education programs (i.e., Bachelor, Master and Doctor programs). The Dean’s Office was actively involved in the introduction of three-step education, taking the effective measures for setting up the differentiated programs of fundamental and especially clinical subjects, content of which were completely different with regard to academic hour load and the subjects to be studied.
The Faculty professors and teachers have contributed immensely in handling several public health related problems in Georgia.
Under the guidance of professor Levan Sakvarelidze a National Centre of Diseases' Controls was established on the basis of active Glandular Plague Station. Under the management of Professor Levan Katsitadze the Centre managed to eradicate severe diseases such as Typhus, Diphtheria and others. Under the management of Professor Clara Gelashvili Academy of Preventive Medicine was established, that continues its successful work until today.
The main directions of scientific work in the mentioned period at chairs of specific profile included: study of radiation level in the environment, migration of radionuclide in the environment and epidemiology of oncologic pathologies, hygiene of drinking water and water supply, affect of low doses of ionizing emission on the body, avitaminosis, study of mineral (mined) and silicone dust influence on the workers, epidemiology of viral Hepatitis in Georgia, study of education environment on the health state and physical development of children and adolescents of pre-school and school age. Number of complex preventive measures were regularly developed and applied in practice at basis of the results of scientific researches.