SSMU was founded in 1952 during the nation-wide reorganization of institutes of higher education. Incorporated into this University were the schools of Medicine of St. John’s University (1896-1952), the Medical College of Aurora University (1911-1952), and the Tong-De Medical College (1918-1952). It was given its present name, Shanghai Second Medical University, in 1985.

With a century of history and 50 years of rapid development, SSMU has become a new state-of-the-art medical university consisting of almost all disciplines, a strong faculty, remarkable academic achievements, and comprehensively developed clinical, teaching and research facilities.

SSMU encompasses 360,157.09 m² of the land. The total building space is 590,719.70 m². The students’ dormitories’ space is 47,383 m², while the sports facilities covers 21,527 m².

In July of 1996, the school was selected as one of the nation-wide key institutes after its application was approved for “211 Project” (To select 100 key Universities in the 21st century across the nation). Under leadership and support of the Communist Party and the Government, SSMU has made great achievements in curriculum expansion, faculty development, science research and staff training. The school facilities have been expanded and improved as well.

The evaluation from the government is as follows:
The school has taken on an entirely new look. The staff has obviously worked hard. They have more than fulfilled the goals of the “211 Project” in the 9th 5-year period. SSMU has become a leading university in China and in some fields has already advanced to a world level. SSMU has made great contribution to the life sciences in China and the development of Shanghai Public Health.

SSMU has a total staff 12,400 including 10,168 medical professionals. Among them 1,340 are senior staffs. It currently has an enrollment of 5,700 students including around 1,000 seeking Master and PH.D degrees. Postgraduate students represent about 23% of total enrollment. 25,000 students have been graduated from the school since its founding.

SSMU has 13 colleges, 1 national hygiene school; 5 affiliated hospitals; 1 specialty hospital, 15 teaching hospitals and 126 teaching specialties. In this university there are 2 seven-year programs (master degrees), 6 programs for bachelor degree, 6 three-year vocational programs, 3 PH.D degree training locations, 31 specialties conferring PH.D, and 47 specialties conferring master’s degree.

SSMU provides training in 74 specialties: 6 of them are nationally recognized, 7 are key subjects of Shanghai municipality, 22 are supported by the Shanghai Education Committee, 9 are Shanghai advanced Medical subjects. It also has 15 research institutes (city level), 3 research and training centers, 2 WHO cooperative centers, 1 key laboratory of the nation, 1 key laboratory of Educations Ministry, 3 key laboratories of Public Health Ministry, 8 key laboratories of Shanghai Municipality and 1 laboratory for general use.

SSMU has established inter-collegiate relations with 29 schools from 10 countries and invited 227 foreign experts to act as SSMU honorary, consulting and visiting professors. It has also formed extensive connections with WHO, the UN Population Foundation, Project HOPE and the Hong Kong HUAXIA Foundation.

Facing the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century, the staff members and students of SSMU are working hard to promote the development and reform of the university. The goal is to establish a first-class school and provide Shanghai, China, and even the world with excellent service.