Epidemiology started with the first class of students of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Craiova in 1976. For 23 years, until 1999, the lectures and practical works of epidemiology were carried out together with the internships of infectious diseases within the discipline of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, the teaching staff of the discipline also supporting the lectures and practical works of Epidemiology.

As in the early years of the Faculty of Medicine much of the teaching activity was carried out by teachers belonging to the IMF Bucharest, it was natural that epidemiology should also benefit from their experience. Thus, the first lectures in epidemiology were taught by two great professors, Prof. dr. Ludovic Păun and Prof. dr. Mircea Angelescu, who paved the way for a harmonious development of the two future disciplines, infectious diseases and epidemiology. The academic support of the Bucharest School of Medicine during the construction of the young discipline of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology at the Faculty of Medicine in Craiova was expressed through a masterly didactic and scientific activity that ennobled the first generations of students.

The enthusiasm of the early years was maintained by two exceptional Craiovian epidemiologists, associate professors, who brought to the first graduating classes their experience and grace, Dr. Eugen Țieranu and Dr. Constantin Zaharia, whose professionalism also stood out in the position of director of the Public Health Directorate (SANEPID) at that time, Dr. Eugen Țieranu coordinating the county anti-epidemic activity for almost a quarter of a century (1968-1990). Their names are linked to exceptional achievements in local anti-epidemic activity of eradication, control and prophylaxis of infectious diseases such as the confrontation with endemic malaria in the Danube region in the 1950s or with poliomyelitis, diphtheria, typhoid fever, teatanosis, anthrax, viral hepatitis and others.

The period of the 80s is marked by the remarkable personality of the late Professor Toma Negomireanu (1928-1998). A graduate of the Faculty of Medicine in Cluj in 1952, Professor Toma Negomireanu became head of the Department of Infectious Diseases in 1977 as a tenured professor, which he would direct for over 20 years. Together with Dr. Mioara Cotulbea, a university assistant who was in charge of the practical work of epidemiology for the generations of students from 1980 to 1990, he also provided epidemiology with a highly academic framework, reflected in numerous scientific works and a rigorous and high level of teaching activity.

Since 1990 both the course and the practical work are conducted by Dr. Iulian Diaconescu, who holds them until 1999. During this period epidemiology asserts its value through the eloquence and abnegation of the professor.

With the transformation of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Craiova into the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, the value of Craiova's medical school is recognized. The discipline of Epidemiology is now entering a new, sustainable and steady stage of development. The moment is marked by the arrival to the chair of Dr. Vasile Melinte in 1999, a year later in 2000 of Dr. Sorin Nicolae Dinescu, and in 2007 of Dr. Ramona Vasile

Discipline Headquarters

Spitalul Clinic Militar de Urgență "Dr. Stefan Odobleja" Craiova, Str. Caracal nr. 150, Craiova