Established in October 2003 in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, the International American University (IAU) traces its origins to an act of the Parliament of the Government of Saint Lucia. With a modest beginning on February 1, 2004, featuring only nine students and five departments, IAU embarked on its mission to provide exceptional medical education.

Responding to the needs of American pre-medical students seeking to contribute to the U.S. healthcare system, the founding members of IAU established the College of Medicine in collaboration with the Government of Saint Lucia. Over the past decade, the University has remained committed to nurturing compassionate physicians dedicated to enhancing global healthcare standards.

Under the visionary leadership of Founding Dean Paul Cherian, MD, IAU pioneered an innovative case-based curriculum enriched with clinical integration. This approach, rooted in problem-based learning, equips students with comprehensive knowledge of the Basic Sciences while fostering critical problem-solving skills. Dr Paul Cherian’s dedication to student-centred education earned him the title of Dean Emeritus in 2015, a testament to his invaluable contributions to IAU’s success.