Kaunas University of Medicine is the largest institution of medical education and training in Lithuania. Its history goes back to 1919, when by the decision of Kaunas Medical Society the Higher Medical Courses had been established, which developed into the Faculty of Medicine of Kaunas University in 1922. Later on in 1950 the of Medicine was transformed into Kaunas Medical Institute, which in turn was reorganized into Kaunas Medical Academy in 1989. In 1998 Kaunas Medical Academy by the decision of Lithuanian Parliament was renamed in to Kaunas University of Medicine. Kaunas University of Medicine is an autonomous university type medical institution finansed by the State. The governing body of the Academy is the Academic Council, the executive function being assigned to the Rectorate.

Kaunas University of Medicine has 5 faculties: the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Stomatology, the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Nursing, the Faculty of Public Health. Kaunas University Hospital and 4 research institutes (Biomedical Research, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Psyhophysiology and Reabilitation) complete the structure of the University. Teaching staff of Kaunas University of Medicine consists of 600 instructors and research workers, including 74 professors and 278 associate professors. The student body by the Fall of 1998 totalled over 2,100. Number of foreign students in 1998 was 248. The University Hospital (2,200 beds) is the largest in Kaunas. In addition to its primary task to render patients highly qualified treatment and care, it also gives Kaunas University of Medicine the facilities for the medical students. Some teaching facilities are also in other 3 clinical hospitals of Kaunas.

Principal teaching language is Lithuanian. Foreign students are instructed in English. They are also taught Lithuanian language, so that they were able to pass on to the study of clinical subjects in principal language from 4th year of education. The Computer Center, Central Library (850,000 volumes), Academic Pharmacy, Museum of Pharmacy and History of Medicine, Museum of Anatomy, Museum of Embryology offer facilities for the staff and students. Principal periodic publications are the weekly newspaper "AVE VITA" and the "MEDICINA" - a collection of articles and problem oriend monographs. In addition its teaching function, Kaunas University of Medicine is also the largest medical research in Lithuania. It participates in a number of international projects.

Kaunas University of Medicine is a WHO collaborating centre for research and training in epidemiology and prevention of cardiovascular and other chronic noncommunicable diseases. Also under its control the medical centres rendering aid to all the population of Lithuania and carrying out a specific research activities, as the centres of neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, traumatology, microsurgery, infectious diseases, pulmonology, endocrinology, surgical management of complicated disturbances of cardiac rhythm and conduction system, and electrical pacing of the heart.