The National Jewish Hospital was founded in 1899 by the Jewish community in Denver, Colorado. As a non-profit , non-sectarian hospital, it was initially intended for the treatment and care of indigent tuberculosis (TB) patients. Through the years, the number of TB patients diminished, and the focus of National Jewish was broadened to include the treatment of other respiratory and immunologic diseases.

In 1978, the National Jewish Hospital/National Asthma Center was created from the merger of National Jewish with the National Asthma Center, a pediatric asthma and research facility. In 1985, the facility became known as the National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine. The facility was renamed the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in 1996.

The modern National Jewish Medical and Research Center is dedicated to enhancing prevention, treatment and cures through research, and to developing and providing innovative clinical programs.