GrSMU is as a successor of the first medical school in Belarus, the Grodno Medical Academy, established in 1775 by Antoni Tyzenhaus, former mayor of Grodno, for improving almost nonexistent healthcare system in the city. Jean-Emmanuel Gilibert, French botanist, Freemason and medical doctor, became its first rector. Under his rule were trained first doctors (former illiterate peasants), built botanical garden and a chemist’s shop. The academy progressed quickly, so soon in 1781 it was reorganized into the Medicine Faculty of Vilna University.

The medical school was renovated only during Soviet-era time in 1958. Firstly, it was a small university, but with one of the best theoretical and practical base in BSSR. Officially got its university status only in 2000.