Ding Gan-ren (1865～1926), named Zezhou, was from Menghe Town, Wujin County, Jiangsu Province. His family had a long tradition of practicing medicine. Ding Gan-ren initially apprenticed under Ma Wenqing of Weitang and later studied under the renowned physician Ma Peizhi, assimilating the strengths of Ma Peizhi's internal medicine, surgery (including laryngology). He also frequently exchanged medical knowledge with his uncle Ding Songxi (a disciple of Fei Boxiong). Due to his diligent study, his medical skills became increasingly refined. Ding practiced medicine first in Wuxi and Suzhou, and later in Shanghai, where his medical practice flourished. To revitalize Chinese medicine, he collaborated with Xia Yingtang and others to raise funds for establishing a school. In 1915, he applied to the Beiyang Government for approval, which was commended by the Ministry of Education and registered with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This school became a precedent for the establishment of Chinese medicine education. In 1917, the Shanghai Chinese Medicine Specialized School was officially founded, followed by the establishment of the Guangyi Chinese Medicine Hospitals in both South and North Shanghai.

Ding studied external-contraction febrile diseases, following the methods of Zhang Zhongjing but not confined to the prescriptions of cold-damage diseases, adhering to the theory of warm diseases but not limited to seasonal warm diseases. His treatment methods integrated the strengths of both cold-damage and warm diseases theories, using light and agile medications to gently remove substantial ailments. Ding personally treated over ten thousand patients during a severe scarlatina epidemic, accumulating rich experience. He authored "Summary of Scarlatina Treatment." Ding was proficient in internal medicine, surgery, and laryngology. He did not adhere rigidly to any single school of thought, selecting the best from the experiences of past masters, and was known for his precise diagnosis and meticulous use of medications. Ding's medical style was characterized by "harmony" and "gentleness." Ding Gan-ren's descendants and disciples continued his medical practice. Ding's academic school had a significant influence in the medical community of southern China.