Tbilisi State Medical University with deep sadness announces the passing of  Prof. Kennett (Ken) Walker, Professor of Internal Medicine and Neurology at Emory University (Atlanta, USA), Honorary Doctor of TSMU, Honorary Citizen of Tbilisi and Georgia, a devoted friend and supporter of Tbilisi State Medical University. It should be emphasized that for the first time, Professor Kennett Walker visited Georgia within the frames of USAID program "Georgia to Georgia" in 1992 and since then he has headed the international efforts of the Atlanta -Tbilisi Partnership. Under his support and supervision, the exchange programs for students, clinical personnel, young specialists and academic staff between Tbilisi State Medical University and Emory University School of Medicine have been conducted for more than 25 years.  On the initiative of Professor Kennett Walker, the project of American MD program was developed together with the Emory University School of Medicine and the model of modern American medical education was implemented at TSMU. His contribution to  bringing up the generation of young Georgian doctors and developing the country's health care system is outstanding. The partnership has had many projects in Georgia: establishing the National Information Learning center; establishing American model of modern emergency unit; training practicing nurses and establishing a nursing school; working with Georgian scientists and physicians in the fields of AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) and etc.  In recent years, after winning the competition announced by the US Government, Professor Ken Walker began development of rehabilitation in Georgia, together with the academic staff of Emory University School of Medicine and the Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of TSMU. The Georgian medical community suffered a tremendous loss in the passing of   Professor Kenneth Walker. Her numerous pupils, colleagues and friends will always commemorate American professor, who was in special love with Georgia and who made a great effort for its development.