Internal medicine was the first science based clinical specialty and also established the three fundamental pillars of modern medicine: clinical practice, research and medical education. Internal Medicine is a core medical specialty defined by a holistic, patient centered approach (1). The origins of Internal medicine as distinct specialty are rooted in the late 19th Century.  The term Internal medicine itself was adopted from German term “innere Medizine. In the United States, William Osler, a Canadian born physician is considered a seminal figure in the development of Internal medicine.

The history of internal medicine training in Ethiopia involves significant development and ongoing efforts to establish a strong and sustainable program. From its modest beginnings in the 1960s to today’s expanding academic landscape, the development of internal medicine education has paralleled the country’s broader pursuit of health system self-reliance and professional excellence.