The Schools of Medicine and Dentistry were established in 1961, marking the founding of the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBUMS). Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences gained autonomy in 1986 with the merging of the Ministry of Health and Melli University, also known as the Iranian National University. With 12,500 students studying medicine and related fields and 1,410 academic faculty members, it is the second-largest medical school in Iran. Tehran is home to three medical universities. Situated in northern Tehran, the university, which is supported by the government, offers a view of the Alborz Mountains.

There are 76 research institutes and five research institutions run by Shahid Beheshti, seven of which collaborate with the World Health Organization (WHO). These include diseases of the endocrine system and metabolism, public health education about tuberculosis, dental health, prevention of blindness and eye diseases, tobacco control, nutrition, and educational development. Since the Ministry of Health and Medical Education merged in 1988, Shahid Beheshti has been responsible for providing, maintaining, and promoting healthcare to over 5,250,000 residents of Tehran and the surrounding cities in Eastern and Southern Tehran Province. This experience is extremely valuable for student training.

With a population of 14 million, Tehran is a bustling metropolis full of restaurants, parks, museums, and friendly locals. It is divided into two halves: the less desirable but significantly less expensive southern regions are juxtaposed with the wealthier, more expensive, and more cosmopolitan northern parts. The city is colder than most Middle Eastern cities because it is located around a mile above sea level. The summers are dry and hot, with average highs of 36 degrees.