Kaohsiung Medical University was established in 1954 (originally as Kaohsiung Medical College), making it the first university in Taiwan to be founded by Taiwanese citizens and the first private medical college in the country. In 1999, it was renamed Kaohsiung Medical University, becoming Taiwan's first private medical university. After 70 years of development, four affiliated medical institutions were developed, including Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Municipal Cijin Hospital, and the newly opened Kaohsiung Medical University Gangshan Hospital in 2024. Kaohsiung Medical University affiliated healthcare system is the largest and most complete medical service and medical education system in southern Taiwan.