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Dongsan Medical Center was founded by Dr. Woodbridge O. Johnson
dispatched to Korea by the Northern Presbyterian Church in America
in 1899 for the purpose of relieving the physical pain of patients and
witnessing the Lord.  Dr. Johnson started a small dispensary called "Salvation Hospital" by using a grass-roofed cottage at the site of former First Church on Herb Medicine Alley in Daegu.  This was the beginning of the first Western medical activity in Daegu and Kyungbook areas.

In 1903, Dr. Johnson moved the hospital to the present location of Dongsan Medical Center.  Following the relocation in 1911, Dr. Archibald G. Fletcher was appointed as the second superintendent of DMC.  He founded a preaching Society which later gave birth to 147 pioneer churches in remote areas, spreading the Gospel in the Kyungbook area.  Dr. Fletcher also contributed to the foundation of Ae Rak Leprosarium in 1913.  He thereby contributed not only to the relief of desperate leprosy patients but also to the entire community by providing free medical care to the people in rural areas where no medical facilities were available.

In 1949, Dr. Howard F. Moffett was appointed as the seventh superintendent. During the 30 years of service, he significantly improved the hospital in numerous aspects by building the present modern Medical Center with the funds he had raised mainly from America.  He made arrangements for the doctors enabling them to receive specialized training in modern medicine in the United States.  He also modernized the hospital with state-of-the-art medical equipment and facilities and consequently led it to become a general hospital.

In 1980, Dongsan Medical Center merged with Keimyung University to establish a medical school based on the principle of quality health care, continuing education, research, and mission work.  Since DMC's successful transformation to become Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center in 1982, it has grown as a major Medical Center with numerous affiliates such as the School of Medicine, the College of Nursing, Dongsan Hospital and Kyungju Dongsan Hospital.

With its history and tradition expending over a century, Dongsasn Medica Center now consists of 26 clinical departments with a 1,000 bed capacity. The Medical Center's over 1,800 staff continuously strives to maintain the higher standards of the hospital by improving its facilities and recruiting well-trained specialists.  Moreover, they are working as a team to promote public health and to carry out evangelical missions through domestic and overseas medical mission work in many countries such as Nepal, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, etc.

Entering upon the 21st Century, as a part of its ambitious plan to become a first-class medical Center, KUDMC is relocating the following affiliates to Keimyung University Sungsu Campus:  The School of Medicine, The College of Nursing, the Second Dongsan Hospital and the Medical Science and Research Center.  The new environment will ensure the continuance of KUDMC's century- long mission to promote public health and to serve the community.