Faculty of General Medicine

Back in 1920, 9th of October, the rector of Yerevan State University Mr. Yuri Ghambaryan sent a proposal letter to the Minister of Public Education outlining the importance of launching a medical faculty. On November 3, 1921, Yerevan School of Medical Training was founded, following the Sovietization of the Republic of Armenia.

On March 15, 1922, to ensure the systematic nature of educational processes, the Faculty of Medicine at Yerevan State University was established on the basis of Yerevan School of Medical Training. To note, the study programs and curriculum met the requirements of higher medical education. In 1922, 122 students were enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine.

Afterwards, the Departments of General and Bioorganic Chemistry, Histology, and Human Anatomy were founded. Dr. Spandarat Kamsarakan, a skilled healthcare organizer, was appointed the first dean of the Faculty of Medicine. At the time, the academic staff of the faculty involved 6 professors, 3 associate professors and 8 teaching assistants.

In addition, the Faculty of Medicine also invited graduates of European and Russian universities, and renowned doctors Vahan Artsruni, Grigor Areshyan, Hambartsum Kechek, Grigor Mednikyan, Khachatur Arkhipyants, Artashes Melik-Adamyan and many others to join the academic community and teach at the Faculty. It is noteworthy that at the opening ceremony of the Faculty, Vahan Artsruni – one of the pillars of launching the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Yerevan – gave his inaugural lecture on human anatomy in Armenian.

The year of 1927 marked a new stage in the history of training the medical staff in Armenia. 32 medical students graduated from State University and dedicated themselves to the cause of developing healthcare and medical science in the country.

In 1930, the Faculty of Medicine had a remarkable progress in admission numbers – a total of 136 students. To mention, the State had not outlined any admission scheme since the inception of the Faculty, and there was actually no restriction in the enrollments. It was at the beginning of the 1930-31 academic year that the Faculty of Medicine adopted an enrollment management strategy reflecting a defined (150) number of students. The first dean of the faculty was S. Kh. Baghdasaryan (until 1937).

In 1940, the total number of students reached 1010. Between 1951 and 1955, the number of graduates was 744. In 1957, members of the Armenian Diaspora were given the opportunity to get higher medical education in Armenia. In the 1999-2000 academic year, the faculties of general medicine, pediatrics and preventive medicine merged to form the faculty of General Medicine.

Former Deans of the faculty:

A. Aghasaryan (associate professor)

G.A. Minasyan (professor)

V.G. Mkhitaryan (professor)

A.H. Beglaryan (professor)

V.Z. Grigoryan (professor)

L.A. Frangulyan (associate professor)

R.S. Mamikonyan (professor)

V.P. Hakobyan (professor)

V.A. Shekoyan (professor)

S.Kh. Grigoryan (professor)

A.G. Harutyunyan (professor)

M.M. Mirijanyan (professor)

S.A. Avetisyan (professor)

N.B. Shahverdyan (associate professor)

T. Papazyan (professor)

 Currently, the Dean of the Faculty is Dr. K. M. Baroyan, Associate Professor.

The undergraduate education is currently achieved through a six-year, integrated one-step program, followed by a four-year-long postgraduate course of study. The program is taught in Armenian, Russian and English. The Faculty of General Medicine is home to around 4000 students – of which over 1200 international students. The Department of International Students’ Academic Affairs is in charge of the coordination of overseas students’ educational process.

The curricula are designed to reflect theoretical, as well as specialized and correlated clinical subjects. Practical courses are conducted in University’s various specialized laboratories, using skills-based medical/clinical simulation and relevant instructional materials. In the academic year of 2022-23, the standardized assessment of practical clinical skills was carried out in the OSCE format (Objective Structured Clinical Skills Examination), in 25 newly renovated and equipped rooms in Mikaelyan Institute of Surgery. Starting with the 2023 academic year, the MD program is instructed in a modular format.

Year I

Theoretical Courses: Medical Chemistry, Medical Biology, Medical Physics, Human Anatomy with exposure to Fundamentals of Radiology, Clinical Anatomy, Histology, Latin, General Military Training, History of Armenian Civilization, History of Medicine, Academic Armenian, Academic English, Physical Training.

Clinical Courses: First Aid with Clinical Skills.

Year II

Theoretical Courses: Human Anatomy, Histology, Human Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Topographic Anatomy and Operative Surgery, Medical Psychology, Philosophy, Bioethics, Civil Defense, Electives (Fundamentals of Research, Fundamentals of Sexology, Communication Skills in Medicine, Patient Safety), Physical Training, OTMS.

Clinical Courses: Field Practice (introduction to the structure of the hospital and the polyclinic and to the activities of different departments).

 Year III

Theoretical Courses: Pathological Anatomy, Pathophysiology, Microbiology, Topographic Anatomy and Operative Surgery, Pharmacology, General Military Training, Public Health, Health Law.

Clinical Courses: Propedeutics of Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Field Practice (nursing assistant).

 Year IV

Theoretical Courses: Public Health, Hygiene, Ecology.

Clinical Courses: Internal Medicine (cardiology), Internal Medicine (rheumatology), Internal Medicine (gastroenterology), Surgical Diseases, Maxillofacial Surgery, Military toxicology, Gynecology, Obstetrics, Eye Diseases, Diagnostic Radiology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, ENT Diseases, Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Medical Genetics, Pediatrics, Urology and Andrology, Field Practice (ob-gyn physician assistant, surgical assistant, GP assistant).

 Year V

Clinical Courses: Internal Medicine (gastroenterology), Internal Medicine (pulmonology and nephrology), Surgical Diseases, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynecology, Endocrinology, Epidemiology, Psychiatry, Oncology, Phtisiatry, Infectious Diseases, Neurosurgery, Traumatology and Orthopedics, Dermatovenerology, Clinical Pharmacology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Sports Medicine, Field Practice (Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant, surgical assistant, pediatric assistant).

 Year VI

Clinical Courses: Internal Medicine (gastroenterology), Internal Medicine (pulmonology and nephrology), Internal Medicine (cardiology), Surgical Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Disaster Medicine, Pediatric Surgery, Battlefield Therapy/Combat Casualty Care, Battlefield Surgery, Clinical Pathomorphology, Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine, Proctology, Infectious Diseases, Forensic Medicine, Hematology, Transfusion Medicine, Family Medicine, Polyclinic Therapy, Reanimation, Intensive Care.

The Dean oversees the faculty divisions. The dean’s office is the leading body responsible for academic, methodological, scientific, organizational and disciplinary affairs. It coordinates daily activities conducted with departments and students. The Faculty Academic-Science Council is affiliated to the Dean’s Office.