St.-Petersburg Medical Academy of Postgraduate Studies was founded in 1885. The idea to create the world's first establishment for medical specialists' improvement belongs to two people with two different social statuses: the member of the Russian Tsar family Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, who was in charge of all medical establishments in the Russian capital and a well-known physician, professor of Medical-Surgical Academy E.E. Eihwald - organiser and the first Director of the Academy, which was opened on June 3 (May 22 old style) under the name "Clinical institute of Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna". In 1896 it was given a title "Imperial". In accepted "Regulations of Institute" the main goals of the Institute were marked as "assistance to practical study of illnesses and methods of their practices, assistance to young doctors in their improvement in practice in major branches of medical science and in accomplishment of medical assistance to both sexes, in in- and out-patient treatment". There were 16 courses in 10 medical specialities when the Institute was opened. Some of them were only in the state of formation (physiotherapy, bacteriology). Since 1924 the Institute is known as Leningrad State Institute of Postgraduate Education for Physicians (GIDUV). In 1935, on the 50th Anniversary, the Institute was awarded the Order of Lenin and named after S.M. Kirov "for successes in development of science and training of medical staff". At that time the Institute included 39 Departments and 3 assistant professor courses. On its one hundred year's Anniversary the Institute was awarded the Order of October Revolution. At that time the Institute consisted of 60 Departments and 3 assistant professor courses. On April 16, 1993, by the Decree of Ministerial Council - Government of the Russian Federation – the Institute was renamed to St.-Petersburg Medical Academy of Postgraduate Studies. Today St.-Petersburg Medical Academy of Postgraduate Studies (MAPS) is a large educational, scientific and medical establishment accumulating a large volume of medical-social activities. The structure of the Academy comprises of 6 Colleges: Surgical, Internal Medicine, Pediatric, Biomedical, Public Health and Dental; 78 Departments, 8 Scientific Departments and Laboratories and a Hospital for 450 beds. The departments are located on the territories of the main base of the Academy, its branches, and in the scientific-research institutions and clinical preventive establishments of the city.

The total number of employees is more than 2000 people. 30 thousand specialists from the Russian Federation, countries of CIS, Africa, Asia, East Europe and USA are trained at the Academy each year. The duration of tutoring varies from 20 days to 5 years. The improvement of professional skills is carried out practically in all areas of clinical, sanitary-hygienic and medical-social studies. Training of physicians, biologists, public health managers, psychologists, sociologists, dentists, experts in the field of a healthy way of life, is the main aim of the education at MAPS.

The Academy has a number of scientific centres and associations specializing in the consultation and treatment, accomplishments of research and development, and the factory, which produces medical machines and instruments.

Academy provides a wide possibility for international co-operation under the umbrella of different scientific, educational, social and preventive programs.