Chongqing Medical University, referred to as "Heavy Medical Care" for short, was jointly established by the people of China, the Ministry of Education, the National Health and Wellness Commission and the Chongqing Municipal People's Government, and was selected into the national "11plan", "Basic Capacity Building Project of Central and Western Universities" and "Excellent Doctor Education and Training Plan".

China government scholarship institution for overseas students, national college students' cultural quality education base, national international scientific and technological cooperation base, demonstration base for studying in China by Ministry of Education, first batch of national doctoral and master's degree awarding units, Chongqing academician expert workstation construction unit, Chongqing first-class discipline construction university, and one of 14 universities in the western region supported by the state.

Chongqing Medical University was founded on 1956. Founded by Shanghai First Medical College (now Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University), it moved to Chongqing. Its original name was Chongqing Medical College, and 1985 was renamed Chongqing Medical University.

In 2008, the strategic cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Education and Chongqing identified the school as a key university. As of June 2020, the school has two campuses, Yuanjiagang and Jinyun, with a total campus area of 2,650 mu, of which Jinyun Campus covers an area of 2 100 mu.