On March 6, 2023 within the framework of the week celebrating the 30-year cooperation between the Emory University (Atlanta, USA) and Georgia, Tbilisi State Medical University was visited by the Emory University delegation: Prof. Philip Wainwright Vice Provost, Global Strategy and Initiatives at Emory University, Prof. Natalie Cruz Assistant Director of Global Strategies and Initiatives at Emory University, Prof. Gordon Churchward Assistant Dean for Medical Education & Student Affairs and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, MD Mary Jo Lechowicz Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emeritus Joel Felner Professor of Cardiology, Emeritus Nathaniel E. Gozansky Professor of Law, MD Alexander P. Isakov Professor of Emergency Medicine and Section Director, MD Bryan McNally Professor of Emergency Medicine, Assoc. Prof. Gabriela Oprea Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MD Douglas Ander Professor of Emergency Medicine, Assoc. Prof. Eric Flenaugh Vice Chair of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Chief and Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care & Interventional Pulmonary Medicine at Grady Hospital. 

The guests were met by Prof. Zurab Orjonikidze TSMU Chancellor, Vice Rectors of Tbilisi State Medical University Prof. Khatuna Todadze and Prof. Sophia Bakhtadze, Prof. Archil Undilashvili Director of Educational Programs at Emory School of Medicine, Assoc. Prof. Eka Ekaladze Director of USMD program, Assistant Prof. Tinatin Kilasonia Head of International Relations Department and Irina Kapetivadze Head of Rector’s Office. 

Prof. Zurab  Orjonikidze spoke about the importance of mutual cooperation with Emory University. Prof. Khatuna Todadze presented a presentation about the history and development of Tbilisi State Medical University. Prof. Philip Wainwright thanked the TSMU representatives for their hospitality and emphasized that he can see the positive outcomes as a result of a mutual cooperation and hopes that the partnership activities will be strengthened in the future. 

Emory University in Georgia with the financial support of the USAID, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other organizations has been implementing diverse educational programs since 1992. The US MD program is one of the most attractive programs for students in medical education. Curriculum of the American MD program is based on the Emory School of Medicine curriculum and adapted in accordance with the Georgian and international educational legislation and requirements.

• The collaboration between Georgia with the Emory University has been accompanied by important projects in the recent history of medical education: The TSMU students, academic and administrative staff have always been supported by the Emory University. As a consequence, nearly 40 academic and administrative staff members and 300 students have visited the Emory University (USA) so far. Emory University has developed a special program for the TSMU students of the US MD program taking into account peculiarities characteristic for the TSMU curriculum.

• Center for Experiential Learning and Research after Archil and Sergo Kobaladzes was established in Georgia. The project was initiated by Emory University giving doctors and nurses opportunities for continuous professional development. 

• In 2017-2022 within the framework of USAID financially supported Physical Rehabilitation program, Emory University in partnership with TSMU developed a bachelor’s program in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. New teaching modules were added to the curriculum. The Student-Centered Learning approach was strengthened at the medical university, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) was implemented and OSCE was piloted. The academic staff of the Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation participated in a study tour, organized by the Emory University. On the other hand, academic staff involved in the development of the physical rehabilitation program of the Emory University School of Medicine visited TSMU and conducted training.

• One of the most important projects of the cooperation is Ken Walker University Clinic for Medical rehabilitation in Tbilisi and Batumi and the Rehabilitation and Development Charity Center "Tanaziari" in Zugdidi.

• “Early Childhood Development Academy” is an innovative project developed by TSMU in collaboration with Emory University in 2021. The aim of the project is to assist children and adolescents with different neurological, physical and development disorders and facilitate their integration in the society. 

• USAID has allocated more than 4.5 million US dollars to support the projects implemented and developed by the Emory University in Georgia.  

On March 6, 2023 an event dedicated to 30-year cooperation between Georgia and Emory University was organized in Biltmore. The event was organized by Tbilisi State Medical University, Emory School of Medicine, Corporation “Partners for International Development” and Ken Walker International University. The ceremony was attended by US Ambassador Kelly Degnan, Nunu Mickevichi Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Tamar Gabunia First Deputy Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, Lasha Darsalia First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Anton Obolashvili member of Parliament of Georgia, Davit Lominashvili Head of Legal Issues Department of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, guests from the Emory University, Morehouse School of Medicine and Grady Hospital,  US Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the organization U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate in Georgia. 

The event was opened by a welcoming video speech of Mikheil Chkhenkeli, Minister of Education and Science of Georgia. The minister highlighted the important role of Tbilisi State Medical University in establishing collaboration with Emory University. “In 2013 a collaborative US MD program between the Tbilisi State Medical University and Emory University was implemented at TSMU. Prof. Ken Walker who visited Georgia 30 years ago was the initiator of diverse large-scale projects in terms of development of healthcare and education in Georgia ''. 

On March 7 Prof. Philip Wainwright Vice Provost, Global Strategy and Initiatives at Emory University, Prof. Natalie Cruz Assistant Director of Global Strategies and Initiatives at Emory University, Prof. Gordon Churchward Assistant Dean for Medical Education & Student Affairs, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Prof. Khatuna Todadze TSMU Vice Rector and Prof. Archil Undilashvili Director of Educational Programs at Emory School of Medicine met Nunu Mickevichi Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia. Further cooperation activities between Emory University and Georgia were discussed.

The anniversary week was full of academic and cultural activities (the guests delivered lectures for the TSMU students and residents). A concert organized at Tbilisi State Medical University Theater Hall was full of impressions and memorable for the guests from the USA.