The history of the Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia is closely linked to the development of medicine, science research in Peru. Its founding in 1961 originated when an important group of professors with extensive experience in medical education at the most prestigious public university in the country, had the vision of creating a university with high academic requirements, contributing to the Research in health and sciences in the country and the world. These visionary doctors created the Medical Union of Teachers Cayetano Heredia on July 25, 1961, to start working at the premises of the National Academy of Medicine.
From these initial steps , the support the local international community and gave the founders in the formation of a new study center for health sciences was evident. The support of the local community became tangible with the creation of an Economic Patronage chaired by Mr. Enrique Ayulo Pardo. Two months after the arduous and incessant work of the members of the Union, the Peruvian government, on September 22, 1961, officialized the creation of the University of Medical and Biological Sciences, a name that would later change to the current one.
In April 1961 a first entrance examination was taken that would serve as a future model for other universities in the country. A total of 585 applicants competed for 65 vacancies; The participants, together with those who moved from other universities in Peru and abroad, allowed to start classes in May 1962. The official inauguration of the new university was held on June 18, 1962 under the direction of Dr. Honorio Delgado And Alberto Hurtado.

The creation of the Cayetano Heredia National Hospital in 1967 institutionalized the permanent collaboration between the UPCH and the Ministry of Health, thus allowing the development of community medicine by students and professors of the University in an area of ​​influence from the Rimac district to the province Of Canta, in Lima.