The article addresses issues concerning the current development level of the health system and training of medical personnel. Their professional development illustrates the continuity of current trends with ideas suggested at the beginning of the 20th century. N.A. Semashko: improvement of practical training for medical and pharmaceutical workers, the development of professional standards and professional development of teaching staff. On the basis of the analytical material presented in the article, the authors attempt to make sense of the current situation and to identify priority areas of personnel policy for the health system of the Russian Federation.