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Wisconsin Medical School Breaks Ground on Cancer Research Facility

  • By Matt Jones
  • 09/15/22

The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wis., recently broke ground on a 150,000-square-foot cancer research facility that will be the first of its kind in both the city of Milwaukee and in eastern Wisconsin, according to a news release. The MCW Cancer Research Building will centralize the college’s 700 cancer-related researchers and 135 lab spaces currently spread across its campus into a single location. The central hub will also allow greater synergy between projects and allow for the easier incorporation of community partners and research participants.

Construction costs will total about $100 million, $10 million of which comes from the State Building Commission. The facility is expected to open its doors in late 2024. MCW is partnering on the project with construction manager Mortenson and architect CannonDesign.

“The MCW Cancer Research Building will serve as a hub for cancer innovation and bring together the brightest minds to forge innovations that will address the cancer burden impacting patients and families in eastern Wisconsin and beyond,” said John Raymond, Sr., MD, MCW president and CEO. “Perhaps most importantly, this facility will allow us to increase our attention to reduce cancer disparities among underrepresented groups in our communities.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Wisconsin ranks above the national average for rates of both cancer incidence and cancer mortality and has continuing disparities related to geography and among minority populations.

“We’re making a long-term commitment to developing advanced research programs, additional faculty and broader infrastructure that will convene brilliant physician scientists and researchers across disciplines to lead promising cancer studies right here in the Milwaukee area,” said Joseph Kerschner, MD, executive vice president and provost of MCW and the Julia A. Uihlein, MA, Dean of the MCW School of Medicine.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

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