Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy: Global medical excellence

Originally from Brussels, Belgium, Chimène Sonja Madeleine Mansour has always been fascinated by aesthetics and reconstructive surgery. However, it was the intricate structures of the head and neck that truly captivated her. Determined to pursue her dream of becoming a stomatologist, she chose the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila (UMPCD). The university’s strong global reputation, diploma validity in developing countries, and top-tier support services made it the best choice for her journey into dentistry.

“During my first year of dentistry, I had the opportunity to study fascinating courses on cranial anatomy, nervous relationships, implant placement, medical iatrogenics, local anaesthetic points, and human physiology,” she says. “These courses truly opened my eyes to the crucial role and professional techniques of a stomatologist.”

UMPCD is Romania’s top medical school for good reason. Placing 41st in the Good Health and Wellbeing 2024 rankings, the university is known for its high-quality education, modern facilities, reasonable tuition fees, diverse student body, and strong post-study employment opportunities within the EU. Recently, UMPCD received accreditation from the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating, aligning with the requirements of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. This accreditation enhances graduate prospects in the US, Israel, and beyond.

Romania’s oldest medical university has come a long way. Today, alongside great rankings, it has more than 150 years of academic excellence and attracts students from all over the world. They all enrol in one of its four faculties: Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, Midwifery and Nursing.

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila was initially founded in 1857. For over a century, it has delivered over a century’s worth of outstanding medical education in Romania. Source: Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Learning here is highly practical. The university provides hands-on training through 167 disciplines in the Romanian and English-taught medicine programmes, 45 disciplines in the six-year dentistry programme, 20 disciplines in the five-year pharmacy programme, and access to 37 university-affiliated teaching hospitals. These affiliations offer students valuable opportunities to develop clinical skills and engage in research.

For Mansour, becoming a stomatologist means understanding the human body as a whole, with the head serving as the central orchestrator of harmony — a perspective reinforced by the dynamic, student-centred learning environment she experiences.

“The active participation and open discussions between teachers and students have created a truly engaging learning environment where students voices are always heard,” she says.

Elizabeth Verna Burhala, a medical student at UMPCD, feels the same. She believes the environment nurtured during practical lessons has allowed her to explore and evolve her medical knowledge without fear of judgment. One of the most important things she has learned is that there is no such thing as a stupid question.

“To further explain this, not knowing something can be okay, but it’s important what you do after acknowledging the fact,” she says. “How do you grow from your mistakes, setbacks or maybe even failures at times? In medicine it is key not to be stagnant and continue to grow and evolve your knowledge base at all times.”

Innovation and creativity are central to the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, which creates a vibrant academic community through medical simulation, entrepreneurial education, and student organisations. Source: Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy

This commitment to lifelong learning is embedded in UMPCD’s motto: Initiation, Excellence, Evolution. The university’s programmes emphasise patient-centred education while producing nationally and internationally recognised research across medical fields. Burhala is experiencing this first-hand.

“During the third year of medicine, we were first introduced to the subject of Semiology, and I feel as if during that year, I was able to see the direct impact and influence that doctors have on people’s lives,” she says. “Every time we spoke with a new patient, we were led through their struggles, the ups and downs in their medical journey, and we got an insight into their personal views regarding health.”

Understanding that each patient requires a unique approach has given students like Burhala hope for the future of medicine and a passion for contributing to its ongoing advancement.

Experienced professors who embody professionalism in both classrooms and lab tutorials inspire them even more. Among the university’s illustrious faculty was Nobel-winning professor George Emil Palade, one of the most influential cell biologists in history. In recognition of his work, UMPCD’s main amphitheatre is named after him.

Prestige and high-impact learning aside, Burhala believes that volunteering has played a key role in her personal and professional growth. For the past four years, she has been involved in the International Medical Students Congress of Bucharest. This experience has allowed her to work with students from various backgrounds and develop skills that extend beyond medicine.

“My problem-solving, public speaking and organisation skills have developed in ways that I could have never imagined before, and as a result, they have led to my growth not only as a person but as a medical professional,” she says. “I have spoken with medical professionals worldwide while learning about their various areas of expertise.”

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