First public presentation of the new Medical School

On 17 April, the representatives of the university, medical community and international organisations gathered at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy to learn more about the new Medical School — a joint project between NaUKMA and the Dobrobut Medical Network. 

The idea of a partnership between the university and the Medical Network arose from both sides simultaneously. For NaUKMA, this is the realisation of a long-held vision:

“In the Western tradition, all good classical universities have their own medical schools. We’ve been working towards this for quite some time,” noted Serhiy Kvit, President of NaUKMA. For the Dobrobut Medical Network, it is the conclusion drawn from 25 years of practical experience: “We realised that change needs to start right from the beginning, with the training of doctors,” explained Serhiy Orel, the Network’s CEO. 

The Medical School is being established in response to a systemic challenge: the need for a new generation of doctors. 

“We are convinced that Ukraine needs a different kind of doctor — not merely someone who follows protocols, but a medical expert, a responsible citizen, and a person with ethical principles. After all, a doctor is more than just a clinician. That is why we are guided by an international framework of competences and are adapting it to the Ukrainian context, shaping doctors who are capable of thinking critically, interacting effectively, and taking responsibility,” emphasised Mariia Kukushkina, Dean and Organiser  of the Medical School. 

The Medical School is being established as an environment where a culture of collaboration, responsibility and respect for patients is fostered. The programme is based on a combination of fundamental, clinical and humanities training, as well as a focus on international approaches and partnerships.  

The School’s programme comprises: a six-year integrated Master’s programme, early clinical practice, a combination of fundamental, clinical and humanities education, and a focus on international approaches and partnerships.  

Over 100 experts from Ukraine and abroad have already joined the School’s development. Our project is also involved in the creation of the new Medical School, providing expert support and contributing international experience. 

The first intake of students is scheduled for 2026. 

Following the team’s presentations, the Project’s ambassadors shared their vision of the role and prospects of the new Medical School. Among them were the Healthy Decisions Foundation, represented by Tetiana Havrysh, co-founder and Director of Strategic Development, Viktoria Tymoshevska, co-founder and Executive Director, and Inesa Guivaniuk, Co-Executive Director of GMKA, as well as Wim Groot, PhD, Professor of Health Economics and Professor of Evidence-Based Education at Maastricht University.  

The event concluded with a panel discussion “Medical Education as an Investment in the Future” exploring the link between education and practice, the role of culture in training doctors, and the potential for scaling up new educational models.  

The Medical School is open to partnerships and invites lecturers, experts, medical institutions and donors to collaborate.