History
The Estonian Medical Students’ Association, formerly the Estonian Medical Students’ Union, was founded between 1989 and 1991. Its official birthday is 15 January 1991.
Founding
The Estonian Medical Students’ Association, formerly named the Estonian Medical Students’ Union, was founded between 1989 and 1991. One reason for founding the organisation was the conscription of students into the Soviet Army. The Estonian Medical Students’ Union was formed to fight the conscription of University of Tartu medical students into military service. Its founding members were Tarmo Kariis, Ivo Valter and others. A single organisation was needed to coordinate student life in the faculty with the largest student body at the University of Tartu.
The Union had its own statutes, approved in the autumn of 1990. It was registered with Tartu City Government on 29 December 1990. The organisation was led by a board consisting of the president, secretary, treasurer and the representatives of each year. The Society’s official birthday is 15 January 1991, when its predecessor was formally entered in the Estonian national register of companies, institutions and organisations.
In the autumn of 1993 the statutes were extensively revised and rules of procedure added. General assemblies were held twice a year. In autumn, board members were elected from the membership for one term of office, that is one year. Between assemblies the board met with varying intensity and varying attendance. Membership fluctuated between 20 and 120.
Presidents of EAÜS
| Years | President |
|---|---|
| 1990–1991 | Ivo Valter |
| 1991–1992 | Tarmo Kariis |
| 1992–1993 | Karl Väärt |
| 1993–1994 | Anders Tsahkna |
| 1994–1996 | Karl Väärt |
| 1996–1997 | Mart Pais |
| 1997–1999 | Birgit Volmer |
| 1999–2000 | Kristiina Allikvee |
| 2000–2001 | Le Vallikivi |
| 2001–2002 | Markko Pärtelpoeg |
| 2002–2004 | Kristi Kajak |
| 2004 | Mait Altmets (acting) |
| 2004–2005 | Reigo Reppo |
| 2005–2006 | Kairi Marie Riigor |
| 2006–2008 | Katrin Täär |
| 2008–2010 | Kadri Mehevits |
| 2010–2011 | Gilber Kask |
| 2011–2012 | Helen Lempu |
| 2012–2013 | Kadri Kasak |
| 2013–2014 | Marta Velgan |
| 2014–2015 | Elinor Õunap |
| 2015–2016 | Siim Rinken |
| 2016–2017 | Aurora Ursula Joala |
| 2017–2018 | Anu Parvelo |
| 2018–2019 | Evamaria Elisabet Keränen |
| 2019–2020 | Ann Leen Mahhov |
| 2020–2021 | Helen Kasemaa |
| 2021–2022 | Margus Lomp |
| 2022–2023 | Renar Kihho |
| 2023–2024 | Doris Poolamets |
| 2024–2025 | Kristiina Tideman |
| 2025–2026 | Kadri Liis Laas |
| 2026– | Klaus Martin Klettenberg |
Finding an identity, and IFMSA
The organisation’s development has been sinusoidal. In 1992 it was still looking for its identity and its general output was fairly modest. The medical faculty had recognised the Union and a student exchange with Finland was running. But there was no money to get anything larger moving. EAÜS earned its first thousands by hosting Finnish medical students in Tartu.
The international umbrella organisation IFMSA was a great help in finding an identity. In the spring of 1993 board members took part in the IFMSA general conference in Athens. They drove there by car, one of the great sensations of the whole event, especially among the Nordic delegations. Athens brought new ideas and started student exchanges with medical students from other European universities. Over the years the number of exchanges grew past 30, and exchanges with students from other continents were added.
The Society’s membership status in IFMSA has ranged from corresponding member to full member. Full membership allowed participation in IFMSA elections. Unfortunately, membership status also depended on the size of the purse. Sponsorship has always been the main source of EAÜS income. It mattered especially for attending conferences, which was needed above all for the exchange programme. The main supporters have been Estonia’s larger hospitals.
A roof of its own on Pepleri street
The lack of premises and means of communication hampered the normal functioning of EAÜS. Thanks to the head of the Estonian Medical Association, Dr Indrek Oro, the Society obtained its own premises in the autumn of 1994 in the building returned to the Estonian Medical Association at Pepleri 32, Tartu. With the help of the faculty dean’s office it soon had its own telephone and fax. A medical literature library of over 500 books moved in as well; IFMSA helped acquire it. The Society’s first membership cards were also issued in 1994.
Relations with the faculty
Relations with the leadership of the medical faculty have varied but have largely been good. EAÜS has reacted sharply to decisions of the dean’s office that directly affected medical students. At the same time the dean’s office has accepted the Society as a representative organisation and has tried to involve its members in decision-making. It has also supported the Society in acquiring various resources and, in recent years, has paid the annual IFMSA fee.
Over the years the Society has developed its own traditional events, and several new undertakings are added each year. The organisation’s strength has been determined by the board’s ability to work together, its readiness to reach out to other medical students and organisations, and money. Each year the Society has had a face of its own, shaped above all by its president.