The History of VSMU

Vitebsk State Medical Institute was established by the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the BSSR on November 1, 1934 as a medical school with a total contingent of 250 people in all courses.

The first director of the Institute was appointed Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Moisey Anisimovich Khazanov, a graduate of the Medical Faculty of the University of Bern (Switzerland). Together with him, 12 professors, well-known medical scientists in the USSR and abroad, began working: Nikolai Titovich Petrov, Vladimir Osipovich Morzon, Felix Yakovlevich Berenstein, Genokh Israilevich Kogan, Grigory Arkhipovich Feshchenko, Grigory Khatskelevich Karpilov, A.S.Furman – students of the 1st and 2nd Moscow Universities, Leningrad Military Academy- S.M.Kirov Medical Academy, Moscow State University named after M.V.Lomonosov, medical faculties of Kazan, Kiev universities and other universities of the country. Professor Pavel Markovich Gurevich, a graduate of the University of Strasbourg (Alsace – France), was appointed the first dean. In 1938, the medical school hospital was renamed the Vitebsk Medical Institute.

Until 1941, there were seven graduates of doctors. The Great Patriotic War slowed down the development of the University for many years. At the beginning of the war, the institute was evacuated to Chelyabinsk, then in 1943 to Yaroslavl. Subsequently, the Yaroslavl Medical Institute was established on the basis of the Vitebsk Medical Institute. In 1944, some of the institute's staff returned to Minsk and participated in the restoration of the Minsk Medical Institute. It was only in 1946 that the institute returned to its native Vitebsk region. From 1946 to 1950, the university was headed by Anisim Ivanovich Savchenko, Deputy Minister of Health of the BSSR. In 1948, the student scientific society was established.

In 1951, the institute was headed by Professor Ivan Illarionovich Bogdanovich, a graduate of the 1st Moscow Medical Institute. In 1952-53, a large group of famous academicians and professors came to the Institute from Moscow and Leningrad: Shapurov V.V., Vainberg S.B., Oleshkevich I.B., Goldman L.N., Ketiladze E.S. Yanchur N.M., Marcuse K.L., Maslov P.N., Shostak L.Ya., Sosnovik I.L. and many others. In 10 years, they have created powerful medical, biological and clinical schools, which today enjoy well-deserved prestige both in our country and abroad.

In 1959, the building of the main academic building was put into operation. In 1959, the Pharmaceutical Faculty was established along with the current Faculty of Medicine and Prevention.

Since 1961, the university has been headed by Professor Glafira Antonovna Medvedeva. In 1962, the Central Research Institute was opened, 3 and 4 dormitories were built. From 1965 to 1979, the rector of VSMI was Associate Professor Evgeny Nikandrovich Medvetsky. Over the years, the 5th dormitory has been built, and the construction of a laboratory and theoretical building has begun. In 1974, a preparatory department was opened, preparing applicants for admission to the institute.

From 1979 to 1996, the rector was Mikhail G. Sachek, Professor, Honored Scientist of the BSSR. In 1981, a new laboratory and theoretical building with a total area of 14,000 square meters was commissioned. In 1986, dormitory No. 1-2 was built, and in 1987, a sports complex and a canteen were built. Since 1981, doctors and pharmacists have been trained for foreign countries. In 1984, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Institute was awarded the Order of Peoples' Friendship for its great achievements in training personnel for practical healthcare, training personnel for foreign countries and in connection with its 50th anniversary. In 1984, the Faculty of Advanced Medical Training was opened. In 1989, the institute was transferred from the subordination of the USSR Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Health of the BSSR.

From 1997 to 2005, the university was headed by Alexander Nikolaevich Kosinets. During this period, the university underwent profound transformations. The following faculties were opened: training of foreign citizens (1997), advanced training of specialists and retraining of personnel (1997), career guidance and pre-university training (1998), dental (2001), pedagogy and psychology of the Higher Medical School (2001). New departments and professional development courses are being organized at the faculties. A knowledge quality control system has been developed and implemented. A competitive medical education system has been created in the global educational services market. An electronic library has been created, computer classes are connected to world sources of information. On March 10, 2003, by order of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, the VSMU Clinic was established.

In 1998, the Institute successfully passed certification and accreditation for the status of a university-type higher educational institution and was transformed into the Vitebsk State Order of Peoples' Friendship Medical University.

Since 2005, the university has been headed by Valery Petrovich Deikalo. Today, VSMU has 7 faculties, where more than 7,000 students and trainees study. The university has 63 departments, where 56 doctors and 227 candidates of sciences work, of which 44 professors and 171 associate professors. Since 2010, the university has been teaching at the second stage of higher education (Master's degree). Degrees awarded upon graduation from VSMU are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG, Philadelphia, USA), the Lithuanian Center for Quality Assessment of Higher Education (Lithuania), the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of the Republic of Lebanon, the Federal Diploma Verification Service (FDVS, Dallas, USA), Medical Councils of India, Sri Lanka, Ireland, etc.

The University trains highly qualified scientific personnel. Many employees have been awarded state prizes and awards: Francis Skorina medals (S.N. Zanko, A.N. Okorokov, V.P. Podpalov), "For Labor Merits" (V.N. Shilenok), and the honorary title "Honored Scientist of the Republic of Belarus" (M.G. Sachek), Honorary Diploma of the Council of Ministers of the Republic Belarus (L.E. Krishtopov). The names of M.G. Sachek, S.N. Zanko, V.M. Semenov, V.P. Adaskevich, V.I. Kozlovsky, D.K. Novikov, V.I. Novikova, N.Yu. Konevalova, O.D. Myadelets, A.I. Zhebentyaev, N.S. Gurina, Yu.V. Alekseenko, A.M. Litvyakova, N.G. Luda, Yu.V. Krylov, S.I. Pimanova, A.N. Okorokov and many others are known all over the world.

In 2010, the morphological building was commissioned. November 2011 marked the 30th anniversary of the start of the training of foreign citizens at Vitebsk State Medical University. Currently, international students from 29 countries are studying at the university. In 2011, the VSMU medical library was put into operation.

Every year, within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement with the Poznan Medical University named after K.Marcinkowski (Republic of Poland), bilateral student exchanges are organized on the basis of departments of pharmaceutical faculties, during which students specialize.

Over the years, the university has trained more than 14 thousand doctors and more than 6 thousand pharmacists. University students are excellent organizers and leaders of practical healthcare, department heads, and chief physicians. Over the years, senior positions in the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus were held by K.N. Anishchenko, N.I. Stepanenko, V.M. Orekhovsky, V.V. Kolbanov, A.S. Romanenkov. I.M. Drobyshevskaya was the Minister of Health. The chairmen of the health committees of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus were S.N. Govorushkin and V.N. Lektorov. A.N. Kosinets was Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus (2005-2008), Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee from November 24, 2008 to December 27, 2014, and Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Belarus from December 27, 2014. Yu.N. Derkach was Head of the Health Department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee. All the general directors of unitary enterprises "Pharmacy" and managers in this field – M.G. Shalaeva, V.V. Kupriyanov, N.N. Gritsevich, V.F. Sosonkina, G.V. Godovalnikov, L.A. Reutsky, S.N. Kiseleva, Z.A. Filipenko, S.K. Ustyugova – are our graduates. Rector of Gomel Medical University A.N. Lyzikov is a graduate of VSMU. Today, there are 5 generals serving in the Russian Federation alone, our students. The Main Military Medical Directorate of the Russian Federation is headed by Colonel-General I.M. Chizh. The Department of the Medical Service of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus is headed by our pupil, Colonel L.A. Bogdanov, and the Central Military Hospital is headed by S.F. Savitsky.

In 2009, for special services in the socio-cultural sphere, a great contribution to the development of the healthcare system, providing it with medical, pharmacological and scientific personnel, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the country, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples' Friendship Medical University was awarded the Honorary State Banner of the Republic of Belarus.

By the decision of the Regional Executive Committee of April 7, 2010 No. 226 of the Vitebsk State Order of Peoples' Friendship Medical University was entered on the Honor Board of the Vitebsk region as the winner of the competition among the organizations of science and education.

The University, together with the Health Department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, is implementing the "Concept of improving the health of the population of the Vitebsk region."

Meetings with veterans have become traditional at the VSMU Educational Institution. Special attention is paid to veterans-anniversaries.

In February 2013, a scientific and practical conference was held dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Honored Scientist of the BSSR, laureate of the State Prize of the BSSR, Professor Leonid Ivanovich Bogdanovich, graduate of the VGMI, head of the Department of Dermatovenerology of the VGMI (1958-1996), a veteran of the Great Patriotic War. A meeting with the veteran took place. Articles and essays dedicated to the hero of the day have been published, including abroad.

In January 2014 The public of the city and the region congratulated the honorary citizen of Vitebsk on the 85th anniversary, who for 17 years was the rector of the VSMU (1979-1996), and now the head of the Department of Hospital Surgery, Honored Scientist of the BSSR, Professor Mikhail Grigorievich Sachek, a graduate of the VSMU in 1955, M.G. Sachek was awarded the honorary title of "Man the year of Vitebsk region – 2013". His photo is posted on a banner at the entrance to the university (Frunze Ave.).

In August 2014, Mikhail Fedorovich Yablonsky, Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine at the VSMU, a war veteran, celebrates his 90th birthday. Materials about his life and work have been published in the university newspaper "Medvuzovets" and in the newspaper "Medical Bulletin".

In September 2014, the VSMU Educational Institution hosted events dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Honored Worker of Higher Education of the BSSR, participant of the Great Patriotic War, graduate of the VSMU in 1952, Head of the Department of Oncology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Joseph Nikitich Siparov.

In December 2014, an event was held dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the head of the Department of Human Anatomy, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Zoya Ibragimova Izmailovna.

Large-scale events were held in connection with the 80th anniversary of the university (November 2014), the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Holding scientific conferences, publishing collections of scientific papers, essays and memoirs about outstanding people of the university, scientific schools and other achievements of the university over the 80-year period, unforgettable meetings, replenishment of the museum's expositions, concerts of art groups, sports competitions. Student festivals and conferences are not a complete list of events dedicated to the anniversary of the university.

In 2014, the VSMU Educational Institution was the winner of the competition among science and education organizations (certificate of entry on the Honor Board of the Vitebsk region dated April 23, 2014 No. 268). By the

decision of the Regional Executive Committee dated 04/23/2014 No. 268, among the best organizations of science and education, the collective of the VSMU educational institution was entered on the regional Honor Board for the third time (2009,2012,2014)

In May 2014, the rector of VSMU, Professor V.P. Deikalo, was awarded a diploma and a badge "Hero's Star" by the decision of the jury of the Large International Encyclopedia, which represents 15,000 famous people from Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus for outstanding achievements in science, creativity, business, sports, and social activities. Rector of the Higher Educational Institution "VSMU" - in the "Recognition" nomination.

On March 18, 2015, Anatoly Tadeushevich Shchastny, MD, graduate of VSMU in 1984, was appointed Rector of the Vitebsk State Order of Peoples' Friendship Medical University.

A significant event for the University in 2015 was the awarding of the honorary title "Honored Scientist of the Republic of Belarus" to the following employees:

• Vladislav Pavlovich Podpalov, Head of the Department of Therapy No. 1 of the FPC and PC, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor;
• Valery Mikhailovich Semenov, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor;
• Sergey Nikolaevich Zanko, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor.

Rectors of VSMU

In 1934-1946, J.M.N.N., Professor Moses Anisimovich Khazanov.

In 1946-1950 Savchenko Anisim Ivanovich.

In 1951-1961, Professor Bogdanovich Ivan Illarionovich.

From 1961 to 1965, Professor Glafira Antonovna Medvedeva.

In 1965-1979, M.N.N., associate professor Evgeny Nikandrovich Medvetsky.

In 1979-1996, J.M.N.N., Professor Mikhail Grigorievich Sachek.

In 1997-2005, Dr. M. N.N., Professor Kosinets Alexander Nikolaevich.

In 2005-2015, Dr. M. N.N., Professor Valery Petrovich Deikalo

In 2015-2023. M. N.N., Professor Anatoly Tadeushevich Shchastny.

In 2023, according to J.M. N.N., Professor Alexey Nikolaevich Chukanov.

The structure of VSMU

The university's structure consists of:

• 8 faculties,
• 64 departments,
• Scientific research laboratory,
• Information center,
• library,
• editorial and publishing polygraphic center.

The University has the following facilities:

• VSMU Clinic,
• Clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry,
• Control and analytical laboratory.

Famous alumni

Over the years, the university has trained more than 14 thousand doctors and more than 6 thousand pharmacists. University students are excellent organizers and leaders of practical healthcare, department heads, and chief physicians. Over the years, senior positions in the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus were held by K.N. Anishchenko, N.I. Stepanenko, V.M. Orekhovsky, V.V. Kolbanov, A.S. Romanenkov. I.M. Drobyshevskaya was the Minister of Health. The chairmen of the health committees of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus were S.N. Govorushkin and V.N. Lektorov. A.N. Kosinets was Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus (2005-2008), Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee from November 24, 2008 to December 27, 2014, and Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Belarus from December 27, 2014. Yu.N. Derkach was Head of the Health Department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee. All the general directors of unitary enterprises "Pharmacy" and managers in this field – M.G. Shalaeva, V.V. Kupriyanov, N.N. Gritsevich, V.F. Sosonkina, G.V. Godovalnikov, L.A. Reutsky, S.N. Kiseleva, Z.A. Filipenko, S.K. Ustyugova – are our graduates. Rector of Gomel Medical University A.N. Lyzikov is a graduate of VSMU. Today, there are 5 generals serving in the Russian Federation alone, our students. The Main Military Medical Directorate of the Russian Federation is headed by Colonel-General I.M. Chizh. The Department of the Medical Service of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus is headed by our pupil, Colonel L.A. Bogdanov, and the Central Military Hospital is headed by S.F. Savitsky.

Oleg Grigorievich Sukonko is a member of the Council of the Republic.

Scientific research work

The University publishes 4 scientific and practical journals and a large-circulation newspaper "Medvuzovets".

Scientific journals "Bulletin of VSMU", "News of Surgery", "Bulletin of Pharmacy", "Protection of Motherhood and Childhood" are represented in the RSCI (Russian Science Citation Index).

The scientific journal "Surgery News" is represented in international databases and reference publications: SCOPUS, EBSCO, Ulrich's Dirctory, Index Copernicus International.