Jilin Medical University was previously known as Jilin Military Medical University (Jilin Air Force Medical University). The university was established in 1952 as Anshan Air Force Medical Middle School and then developed into Jilin Air Force Medical University. It was the only medical university of the Air Force. The university later merged with the largest of the military medical schools—the Forth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA. The school was renamed at that time as Jilin Military Medical University of the Forth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.

Until July 2004 it was one of the Chinese PLA (Peoples' Liberation Army) Academies. The main purpose of the university was to train medical personnel for the Air Force. It was a military medical university with glorious history and fine tradition.

In 2004 after the State Council and Military Commission reorganized the military medical schools the university became part of the national ordinary university system. It is now the only independent comprehensive medical university in Jilin province.

When the university reaches full enrollment there will be 10,000 full-time undergraduate students. The university recruits students from all over China . At present it has recruited more than 5000 students from 27 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions all over China . The university also takes part in the training of national defense students.

Jilin Medical University is located near the Songhua River in the beautiful northeastern Chinese city of Jilin . Jilin City was recently chosen as one of the most beautiful cities in China . Jilin is famous for its winter scenery which includes many days of hoarfrost covered trees. The campus of Jilin Medical University is located in the educational zone in the south river section of Jilin City. Near the campus the Songhua River bends its way around the southern part of Jilin . The fresh air, beautiful environment, convenient transportation and the strong cultural atmosphere make it a good place for students to study. 

The University has a large campus with the modern buildings covering more than 360,000 square meters. The university has fixed asset of 600 million RMB. The University has state-of-the-art teaching facilities. The new teaching and research buildings are equipped with academic exchange centers, science halls, language labs, an electronic library reading room and on-line computer classrooms. All classrooms have modern multimedia teaching equipment. The university makes extensive use of multimedia teaching. The newly completed 48,000 square meter Experimental Medicine Center is furnished with advanced equipment and functions, it can accommodate more than 7,000 students at the same time.

Jilin Medical University offers 8 undergraduate first level subjects: preventive medicine, clinical medicine and medical technology, stomatology, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, electronic-information and public affairs administration.

The university also offers 12 undergraduate second-level subjects: preventive medicine, clinical medicine, medical tests, medical imaging, medical biological technology, stomatology, nursing, pharmacy, pharmaceutical, public affairs administration, applied psychology, biomedical engineering.

The university has 13 undergraduate courses and specialized directions: clinical medicine, clinical medicine (with an emphasis on reproductive medicine), clinical medicine (with an emphasis on Mother-Child Health), preventive medicine(nutrition and food hygiene), applied psychology(medical psychology), biomedical engineering, public affairs administration, pharmacy, pharmaceutical preparations, medical test, medical imaging, nursing, English nursing.

Jilin Medical University stresses teaching reforms and takes curriculum construction as the foundation. Teachers training is ongoing and a key part of the university's vision. With many different departments the university tries to promote and reflect each department's characteristics.

The university puts stress on the construction of subjects and the curriculums. The university has two key constructed subjects on the military level, two key medical laboratories on the military level, one national course, three outstanding courses on the provincial level and three excellent courses.

Jilin Medical University has a well structured professional faculty with experienced teachers holding doctoral and master degrees. The faculty members have strong sense of enterprise and are well qualified in their fields of teaching, medical service and scientific research. More than 30 percent of the faculty is presently involved in graduate studies. The university has full-time professors, part-time professors, associate professors and other first-class professional persons who number more than 190.

Among the faculty members are 31 postgraduate tutors and 2 who enjoy special allowances from the State Council. 21 faculty members have been honored as outstanding teachers by the nation, military or province.

Jilin Medical University has relatively strong scientific research and academic research ability. The university has successfully completed research on 86 different topics for the state and the military. The university has received 574 Technology Achievement Awards on the national level, 39 National Invention Award and national patents.

Jilin Medical University has also received more than 40 teaching achievement and educational technology achievement awards. The faculty has published more than 6000 articles in periodicals or at meetings on or above the provincial level. The Ministry of Public Health has awarded the university two top prizes for the editing of planned teaching materials. Our university has been identified as the editing unit of the national teaching material committee.

The campus information network is rich. In our library, there are 300,000 columns of collections, over 50,000 electronic books and more than 600 different periodicals. The university's library has been evaluated as an “excellent library” among universities in Jilin province. The university's medical journal “Jilin Medical University Journal” is part of “ China 's Core Journals Database.” It was awarded first prize by the Military Medical Periodicals.

Jilin Medical University 's affiliated hospital, 456 Hospital is a comprehensive hospital involved with medical service, teaching, research, preventive medicine and health care. It has advanced equipments such as MRI, DSA, poly-spiral CT, DR digital video camera, digital gastrointestinal machines, 24-hour Holter monitoring, color ultrasounds, full-automatic biochemical analyzer, high-energy focus ultrasonic knives, hyperbaric oxygen chamber and other equipment. The hospital can perform heart and lung transplants, bivalve replacement and major vascular surgery, PTCA, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and open heart surgery for infants with complicated congenital heart disease. The hospital is identified as one that aids the poor. Currently the hospital has three specialties that are key specialties in Jilin province

The university has a first-class cultural and sports center. The comprehensive modern recreation center encompasses nearly 5000 square meters. It can hold 3600 people. The center has a standard shooting range, table tennis hall, basketball courts and fitness clubs. It is not only serves the university buy also many large events in Jilin City .

The university's outside sports field covers 40000 square meters with a football field, basketball courts, tennis courts, skating rink and running track. The sports center and outside sports field meet the needs of PE teaching, training and competitions.

The campus environment is beautiful and tree-shaded. It is a model “Green Unit.” The newly-built student campus, the comprehensive student dinning hall and the commercial center provide students with a superior quality, comfortable and convenient learning environment. The artificial lake and the 500-meter long cultural gallery make a beautiful picture. It is a perfect place for the staff and students to study, relax and entertain themselves.

The university adheres to the scientific concept of development. Promote the soul, study extensively, live morally and work to heal others. The university's guiding principal is: “seize the opportunity, accelerate development, raise the level and become a famous school." The university administration is guided by this concept: "manage the university following the law, establish a university of high quality, develop the university's features, and strengthen the university with science and technology."

Jilin Medical University is making efforts to promote quality education in order to develop applied and skill-based talents. Currently, all the staff is rousing the spirit of unity, doing solid work and advancing with the times. We are making great efforts to improve conditions, to strengthen our ability to run a modern school, to make distinctive features and at the same time striving to make our university become an influential first-level medical university in China.