How do we prepare doctors who have up-to-date knowledge, are proficient in technology, are ready for change, and retain their humanity? Participants at the ECCES 2026 international conference, held in Tbilisi on October 12–13, explored this question from a range of perspectives.
ECCES 2026: “Advancing Medical Education: Internationalization, Innovation, and Academic Success” was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Dr. Ken Walker’s birth and held through a collaboration between Ken Walker International University, Emory University, and the American MD Program at Tbilisi State Medical University.
Over two days, leaders of international medical education organizations, university representatives, clinicians, researchers, and students discussed educational quality, international partnerships, contemporary approaches to teaching and assessment, student support, and professional values. The program featured plenary presentations, panel discussions, thematic sessions, workshops, clinical masterclasses, and research poster presentations.
“This conference shows that Georgia holds an important position on the world map of medical education, and that this position can only grow stronger from year to year,” said Professor Emiola Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa, President-Elect of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).
Ken Walker’s Legacy and International Partnership
Dr. Ken Walker was an American physician, an Emory University professor, an honorary citizen of Georgia and Tbilisi, and one of the leaders of the Atlanta–Tbilisi Healthcare Partnership. He made a significant contribution to the development of medical education and the healthcare system in Georgia.
Dedicating the conference to the 90th anniversary of his birth gave the event particular significance. Its central themes closely reflected his lifelong work: sharing knowledge, strengthening Georgian-American cooperation, supporting future doctors, and promoting compassionate patient care.
Professor Archil Undilashvili, Director of Educational Programs at Emory University School of Medicine, described ECCES 2026 as an important continuation of Georgian–American academic collaboration. He noted that the conference brought longstanding partners and new colleagues together around shared priorities and created opportunities to plan further cooperation. Participants included leaders of universities and international medical education associations from the United States, the United Kingdom, other European countries, and Africa.
From Education to Patient Wellbeing
Professor Archil Undilashvili moderated the opening ceremony. Participants were addressed by Givi Mikanadze, Georgia’s Minister of Education, Science and Youth, and Mikheil Sarjveladze, Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia.
Welcome remarks were delivered by Professor Irakli Natroshvili, Rector of Tbilisi State Medical University, and Professor Eka Ekaladze, Rector of Ken Walker International University.
Givi Mikanadze emphasized the importance of exchanging experience with international partners and ensuring high standards in medical education. Mikheil Sarjveladze connected educational development with everyday clinical practice and patients’ interests: “For the Georgian healthcare system, this is a unique opportunity to enrich the knowledge and academic capabilities we have here, so that they, in turn, translate into everyday medical practice for the benefit of patients.”
Courtney Ostrien, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Georgia, described the conference as another expression of cooperation between Georgia and the United States in developing a strong and effective healthcare system.
Quality, International Standards, and the Georgian Perspective
One of the conference’s central questions was how universities can improve educational quality and prepare for future challenges.
WFME President-Elect Professor Emiola Olapade-Olaopa discussed health professions education, strategic academic development, and international partnerships. Professor Harm Peters, President of the Association of Medical Schools in Europe (AMSE), explored the pursuit of excellence in medical education and the responsibilities that extend beyond international recognition and compliance with standards.
Professor Janusz Janczukowicz, President of AMEE – The International Association for Health Professions Education, examined educational partnerships through the lens of One Health and the Sustainable Development Goals.
These themes continued in a panel discussion on quality, excellence, and readiness for the future. Alongside the international association leaders, panelists included Professor Rusudan Rukhadze, Vice Rector of Tbilisi State Medical University, and Professor Irine Pkhakadze, Head of International Medical Programs at Akaki Tsereteli State University.
The panel was moderated by Salome Voronovi, Head of the AMEE Regional Centre of Excellence in Georgia and Head of the Medical Education, Faculty Development and Strategic Planning Department at Tbilisi State Medical University. She also delivered a presentation entitled “Advancing Medical Education: The Georgian Perspective.”
“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to introduce Georgia’s achievements and development prospects to the international higher education community, particularly medical education associations and their members. We believe that this conference marks the beginning of fruitful collaboration,” Salome Voronovi noted.
She added that active participation in the panel discussions and full workshop rooms demonstrated a strong interest in sharing experience and continuing the dialogue on the future of medical education.
Internationalization and the Exchange of Experience
Discussions on international cooperation addressed academic mobility, institutional partnerships, and the exchange of diverse educational experiences.
In her presentation, “Globalization versus Diversity: Are They Two Sides of the Coin?”, Emory University Professor Mary Jo Lechowicz explored the relationship between international integration and diversity. Alejandra Vicencio, Director of International Education Strategy Consultancy and a specialist in global mobility and partnerships, discussed internationalization, global mobility, and strategic partnerships.
The panel brought together Emory University representatives Mary Jo Lechowicz, Michael McQuaide, and Joe Le Doux; international education specialist Alejandra Vicencio; Professor Rima Beriashvili of Tbilisi State Medical University; Irma Grdzelidze, Vice Rector of Alte University; and Paata Tsagareishvili of David Tvildiani Medical University.
The discussion was moderated by Nino Shiukashvili, Head of Quality Assurance at Ken Walker International University. It highlighted the importance of international partnerships in advancing universities and creating new opportunities for students and academic staff.
How a Culture of Learning Takes Shape
Alongside curriculum content, invited speakers examined the environments in which students learn, develop professional habits, and grow into future doctors.
In his presentation, “Does a Curriculum Have a Notochord? The Signals and Forces That Shape a Culture of Learning,” Emory University Professor Joe Le Doux explored the relationship between the curriculum and educational culture. His workshop, “The Art of Telling Your Story,” invited participants to work on ways of communicating their experiences and ideas.
Professor Paul Horrocks of Keele University delivered a plenary presentation on building a culture of academic integrity and professionalism in medical education. In a workshop for students, he addressed professional responsibility and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
“What I particularly enjoyed was spending time with students and talking about what matters to them, their experiences of medical education, and what they want for the future,” Professor Horrocks said.
Emory University Professor Emeritus Gordon Churchward addressed obstacles to student success. Professor Bhavin Adhyaru’s workshop focused on integrating traditional methods with AI-enabled approaches to teaching evidence-based medicine.
The program also included Professor Michael McQuaide’s workshop on structural dilemmas in health systems, Professor Raisa Chyorny’s session on narrative medicine and the patient–doctor relationship, and Professor Irma Tchokhonelidze’s workshop on faculty development in internal medicine.
Communication, Professionalism, and Student Support
Student wellbeing, empathy, listening, and support were the focus of a dedicated thematic session.
“Communication, Professionalism, and Student Support” brought together work from representatives of different universities on student support, personalized academic assistance, simulation-based learning, empathy development, and peer education.
The session was moderated by Maka Zarnadze of Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy, with Professor Raisa Chyorny serving as the invited discussant.
The experiences presented illustrated the many ways future doctors can be supported and emphasized the importance of addressing students’ needs alongside the development of professional competencies.
International Expertise in Clinical Settings
Clinical masterclasses took place at partner clinics throughout the two-day conference, giving Georgian colleagues the opportunity to work with international specialists on practical clinical issues.
Professor David Markham, a cardiologist at Piedmont Heart Institute, led a masterclass on advanced heart failure at the Chapidze Emergency Cardiology Center.
Dr. Bhavin Adhyaru discussed quality improvement, patient safety, and the development of safer systems at the TSMU and Ingorokva High Medical Technology University Clinic.
At the same clinic, Professor Elliott Gozansky, Professor of Radiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, discussed chest X-ray findings of pulmonary edema, including the “batwing” pattern, as well as magnetic resonance imaging of the mitral valve.
Emory University Professor of Emergency Medicine Bryan McNally, together with Georgian colleagues, led a masterclass at the Academician N. Kipshidze Central University Clinic on clinical decision-making in high-risk situations.
Student Research and Poster Awards
ECCES 2026 also provided students and young researchers with an opportunity to present their work to an international academic audience. Research posters were evaluated by the conference’s keynote speakers and invited guests, and the winners received their awards during the closing ceremony.
First place went to a study by Ken Walker International University students examining sun-protective behavior among international medical students living in Tbilisi and the influence of cultural background, skin type, and medical education.
Second place was awarded to a study presented under the affiliation of Ken Walker International University and co-authored by graduates of the American MD Program at Tbilisi State Medical University. The research examined attitudes toward artificial intelligence, generative AI self-efficacy, and engagement among university academic staff.
Third place went to a study by Ken Walker International University students investigating the effects of different prompting strategies on ChatGPT’s diagnostic performance in clinical case analysis.
The research sessions also addressed other current issues in medical education and clinical practice, including students’ experiences of a comprehensive multi-station Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and the use of artificial intelligence in clinical case analysis.
A Dialogue That Continues
Reflecting on the conference, Professor Eka Ekaladze, Rector of Ken Walker International University, spoke about the human dimension of medical education: “Becoming a doctor is not only an academic or professional process. It is also a human process, shaped by the learning environment, the people students encounter, and the culture they are part of.”
In her assessment, the conference created a space for meaningful dialogue, new professional connections, and a shared understanding that modern medical education involves building a culture of responsibility, values, and collaboration alongside the transfer of knowledge.
During the closing ceremony, special thanks were extended to the student volunteers and organizers whose hard work and dedication contributed to the smooth running of the conference.
Alongside the exchange of international experience, ECCES 2026 showcased the work underway at Georgian universities and generated new plans for continued collaboration. Participants particularly emphasized the value of meeting in person – the conversations that began between sessions and developed into future professional relationships.
“The conference is coming to an end, but if we compare it to writing a book, this is not the end of the book – it is only the end of the introduction. Now we can write all the chapters together,” said AMEE President Professor Janusz Janczukowicz.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi4205reDsU
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