A public lecture and panel discussion on the topic “Educating the Next Generation of Public Health Leaders” was held at Tbilisi State Medical University, initiated by the University’s American MD Program in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The event was conducted within the framework of the Stanley Music Memorial Lecture Series, established in 2022 and dedicated to the legacy of distinguished epidemiologist Dr. Stanley Music. It was through his efforts that, in 1995, the first CDC-supported Field Epidemiology Training Program in Georgia was launched in Tbilisi. Dr. Music’s professional path remains an enduring example of public service, mentorship, and leadership in global health for future generations.

This year’s lecture was delivered by Wafaa El-Sadr (USA), Founder and Global Director of ICAP at Columbia University and Executive Vice President of Columbia Global. Dr. El-Sadr is internationally recognized as a leader in infectious diseases and public health. For more than four decades, she has led large-scale initiatives focused on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, emerging and re-emerging infections, and health systems strengthening in over 40 countries worldwide.

Following the lecture, a panel discussion was held with the participation of CDC representatives and public health specialists from Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

The event was attended by healthcare professionals, students of medicine and public health programmes, and members of the academic community.