Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine traces its origins to the medical schools of St. John’s University (1896–1952), Aurora University (1911–1952), and Tongde Medical College (1918–1952), which were merged in 1952 during the national reorganization of higher education to form Shanghai Second Medical College. In 1985, it was renamed Shanghai Second Medical University. In 1997, the university was included in China’s “Project 211” initiative to strengthen key institutions of higher education. In July 2005, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Shanghai Second Medical University merged to form the new Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, a key institution jointly supported by the Ministry of Education and the Shanghai Municipal Government. The School subsequently joined the ranks of the “Project 985” universities. In November 2010, it became one of the first ten universities jointly developed by the Ministry of Health (now National Health Commission) and the Ministry of Education. The School of Medicine has upheld its mission of serving the nation and the people. The School has always committed itself to national prosperity, scientific truth, and the sacred practice of medicine. Marching in step with the times, sharing the fate of the nation, and breathing in unison with the people, the School has made outstanding contributions to the country's healthcare development and has nurtured more than 70,000 medical professionals.