“In 25 years, the Faculty of Health Sciences has grown from two professional chairs to a major center for research, new technologies, and international projects. It has become a leader in health studies and science opening up new opportunities for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases as well as health promotion. There is now a global consensus on the importance of lifestyle medicine.
It is becoming an integral part of healthcare – from primary care and rehabilitation to mental health promotion and emergency medicine. We can be pleased that FHS’s choice of health strand chosen 25 years ago was ahead of its time. The growth of FHS is the merit of our researchers, lecturers, students, and partners,” said Prof. Dr. Artūras Razbadauskas, Rector of KU, celebrating the achievements of FHS.
A visionary idea that became a successful reality
FHS’s success story was built by people, who believed in its idea and significance. One of the main founders of FHS is Prof. Dr. Algimantas Kirkutis. The distinguished cardiologist was invited to move from Kaunas to Klaipėda to help organize cardiac care for patients at Seamen’s Hospital of the day and was appointed Head of the Department of Cardiology.
According to Prof. Dr. A. Kirkutis, in order to develop modern cardiology services in Klaipėda Region, it was necessary not only to have advanced equipment and imported knowledge, but also to have locally conducted healthcare studies. His idea to establish a new faculty, unlike any other in Lithuania, was believed in and approved by Prof. Habil. Dr. Stasys Vaitekūnas, then-recent Rector of Klaipėda University. Prof. Dr. A. Kirkutis and his associates grew FHS during three consecutive terms as Dean.
“When we started this project, there were sceptics, who thought that studying health sciences at university level was not necessary. But we have built on international practice. Professor Dr. Edvardas Varanauskas, who has lived and worked in Sweden, advised us to focus not only on medicine, but on a holistic understanding of health. This principle has become one of the most important guidelines for FHS’s activities – health sciences must include not only treatment, but also prevention, health promotion, and innovation”, says Prof. Dr. A. Kirkutis.
According to Prof. Dr. Vaidutis Laurėnas, the Chairman of KU Senate, the establishment of the Faculty of Health Sciences was strongly supported by Klaipėda hospital managers and medical professionals, because there was a shortage of specialists in certain fields. Klaipeda University was the first university in Lithuania to train some of the medical support staff with a university degree. Scandinavian countries were already well advanced in this respect and had been setting up faculties not only of medicine, but also of health sciences at higher education institutions for several decades.
“The establishment of FHS has been a success. One of the most striking indications of this is Klaipėda University Hospital. If FHS did not exist, or if it was weak, there is no doubt that we would not have Klaipėda University Hospital today”, says Prof. Dr. Vaidutis Laurėnas.
Innovative study programs and a vision for the future
FHS offers study programs that meet the needs of modern healthcare. Each program focuses on the training of highly qualified professionals. Graduates of the Public Health, Nursing, Radiology, Kinesiotherapy, Social Work and Crisis Intervention, Leisure Sports, or other study programs offered by FHS successfully integrate into the Lithuanian and international healthcare systems.
KU FHS is the only one in Lithuania to offer complementary and alternative healthcare study programs. Prof. Dr. A. Kirkutis, who was inspired by the philosophy of health promoted by Vidūnas, the Lithuanian philosopher, writer, and public figure, was also the one to initiate these programs at FHS.
Prof. Dr. Rita Vaičekauskaitė, the Dean of FHS, reminds us: “Until then, Lithuanian universities traditionally had faculties of medicine, but Klaipėda chose a different path – to develop health sciences. Today this model has become common, but 25 years ago it was a completely new approach”.
According to Prof. Dr. R. Vaičekauskaitė, the future plans are to further strengthen and expand the activities of FHS. A modern simulation center is planned to be opened, where students will be able to develop practical clinical skills. The Advanced Practice Nursing and Occupational Therapy study programs will be launched in autumn 2025. New study programs in Phytotherapy, Laboratory Diagnostics and Bioinformatics, and Medical Residency should be ready within the next two years. As for the ten-year plans, programs in Oral Hygiene and Pharmacy will be developed.
A meaningful anniversary highlight
The celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Faculty of Health Sciences brought together FHS’s founders, past and present staff members, social partners, and health professionals in a warm evening of gratitude, recognition, and fellowship, allowing us to look back on our journey and talk confidently about the future.
On the same day, the most important academic highlight of the anniversary was the International Scientific Conference “Health Promotion Innovations and Heritage for Human Well-being – Towards a Healthy Lifestyle and a Transparent Being in Vydūnas’ Way”. More than 200 speakers from Lithuania and abroad, including science, healthcare representatives, and delegates of various other disciplines, participated in the event.
Over 80 scientific papers were presented at the conference. Topical issues in lifestyle medicine, health promotion, artificial intelligence, and public health were discussed. Vydūnas’ philosophical heritage has become the conceptual basis for contemporary discourse on human well-being, holistic health, and ethical responsibility.
“Since its foundation, the Faculty of Health Sciences has strived to be not only an academic institution, but also the founder of modern health philosophy. It was here that the studies and research on lifestyle medicine began to be developed in a targeted way allowing to change the attitude towards the prevention of chronic diseases, the priorities of the health system, and the importance of human lifestyle for the well-being of the society,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Algimantas Kirkutis, one of the founders of FHS.
The conference was organized by the International Organizing and Scientific Committee chaired by Prof. Dr. Rita Vaičekauskaitė, the Dean of FHS. More than 30 members from universities and research institutes in Lithuania, Austria, Turkey, Latvia, Poland, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Colombia, and other countries contributed to the development of the content.
