As the Chancellor of one of the most prestigious and honored Medical Universities in Iran, I take great pride in the rich legacy of Iranian medical science, which dates back thousands of years.
Iranian medical science is a practice as old as humanity itself, and it has produced many lasting figures of medicine such as Boozarjomehr, Avicenna, Razi, and Jozajani, all of whom have contributed greatly to the world of medical science. The doctrines of Avicenna and many other Iranian scientists continue to influence modern medicine today.
Academic medicine in Iran was formalized roughly 150 years ago during the era of Nasereddin Shah, thanks to the efforts of Iran’s Prime Minister Amir Kabir. He was an intellectual who was interested in his country’s progress and was the cause for many of the vast changes in financial and governmental systems of the time. Among his important contributions was the founding of “Darolfonoon,” a structure where students in different majors, including medicine, were trained.
Since then, Iranian universities have made considerable advancements in the field of medicine. Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBUMS), for example, started its mission under the title of “National University” during the 1970s. Following the victory of the Islamic Revolution and the rapid quantitative
and qualitative developments of centers for higher education, SBUMS swiftly developed its programs. Today, SBUMS includes twelve major schools, twelve educational hospitals, six research institutes, and seventy-seven research centers, seven of which are working with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Over the years, SBUMS has trainthousands of students at different levels, including undergraduate and graduate levels in various fields of specialty such as PhDs, specialty, sub-specialty, fellowships, among others, who are currently providing health-related services to Iran, as well as many other countries.
Since 1988, and following the merging of the Ministry of Health with Medical Education, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences has been responsible for providing, maintaining, and promoting the health of more than 5.25 million residents within the Iranian capital of Tehran, as well as neighboring cities in Eastern and Southern Tehran Provinces. SBUMS provides these services in the form of primary health care (PHC), covering the urban and rural areas in different levels, including health houses, urban and rural health centers, public hospitals, and specialty hospitals related to the university.
The medical education program at SBUMS has undergone many changes and updates over the years. In 2004, after significant changes in the program, critical revisions were accomplished. As a result, the revisions made at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical are now used as a model by other medical universities throughout Iran. The educational contents are divided into core and non-core divisions, and the program emphasizes community-based activities, presence in real fields, and training based on the needs of society.
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences is committed to promoting the society’s health and advancements in medical education. We welcome any beneficial communications with other scientific/research institutions that provide health services and are open to any activity related to this cause.
Professor Dr.Alireza Zali, MD
Chancellor, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences