Ken Walker International University welcomed Tamaz Tughushi, Founder of the Neba Rehabilitation Center and Head of its Therapeutic Process, for a meeting with medical students. The session was held as part of KWIU's Addiction Medicine educational series, led by Tori Ehrhardt, MD, an Emergency Medicine Physician and Medical Toxicology Fellow at the Emory University School of Medicine.
The session focused on trauma therapy, addiction medicine, and the journey to recovery. Tamaz Tughushi discussed the long-term impact of developmental, shock, and childhood trauma, as well as the close relationship between biological and psychological processes. Particular attention was given to the effects of trauma on human behavior and mental health, along with contemporary approaches to understanding, treating, and supporting individuals with substance use disorders.
A particularly meaningful part of the session was Mr. Tughushi's personal recovery journey -from substance use disorder to recovery. Hearing a real-life story from the patient's perspective enabled students to connect their theoretical knowledge with authentic clinical experience and gain a deeper understanding of the human side of addiction medicine.
The meeting concluded KWIU's Addiction Medicine educational series, during which students participated in lectures and simulated patient cases. The final session provided an opportunity to view substance use disorders not only from a clinical perspective but also through the lens of personal experience, recovery, and compassionate patient care.
Ken Walker International University continues to expand international educational collaborations that equip future physicians with up-to-date medical knowledge while fostering empathy, patient-centered care, and a deeper understanding of the human experience behind disease.