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WI Governor Breaks Ground on Univ. Of WI Medical School's Interdisciplinary Research Complex

Posted on: Tuesday, 2 August 2005, 21:00 CDT

Gov. Jim Doyle was on hand Monday to help break ground on the University of Wisconsin Medical School's new Interdisciplinary Research Complex in Madison, a $134 million project that will further his biotech and stem cell research initiative.

Wisconsin has a long history of scientific progress, Doyle told the crowd gathered for the ceremony. This project will see us stay at the forefront of medical research in this country.

Calling the complex a big shot in the arm for the state's economy, Doyle applauded the amount of job opportunities the project would offer.

This is a win-win situation, he said. To be able to have a facility that provides this kind of research and to be able to build our economy around it is amazing. The completed project will be a source of great pride to the people of Wisconsin.

Philip Farrell, dean of the medical school, was enthusiastic about what the IRC could offer on a nationwide level.

The IRC will be one of the finest research facilities of any academic medical center in the country, he said. It will position UW Medical School scientists for the potential of making extraordinary contributions to the health of people in Wisconsin and beyond.

Researchers in the IRC will focus on cancer, neurosciences and cardiovascular diseases. Scientists will also study the influence of genes on diseases and regenerative medicine.

Doyle, a supporter of stem cell research, said that he hoped this initiative would send a message to the rest of the country.

It's important for the president's restrictions on stem cell research to be lifted, he said.

According to a statement by UW Medical School, the IRC's architect of record is Zimmer-man Design Group, Milwaukee, while the design architect is Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum Inc., St. Louis. The Boldt Company, Appleton, will serve as construction manager.

Paul DeLuca, vice dean of the medical school, said that a portion of the building will be left unfinished, allowing for the ability to respond to new scientific developments as they arise and funds become available.

Farrell called the project the final milestone of the HealthStar journey.

This building will be the culmination of the HealthStar initiative, a unique funding consortium involving support from state and federal agencies and private philanthropy that was created more than 10 years ago to improve health science facilities at UW- Madison, he said.

The state will fund $23.3 million of the facility, while the remaining $110.6 million will be in gifts and grants to the school. Farrell said that funding from the National Institutes of Health would allow an entire floor to be devoted to breast cancer while another would be devoted to prostate cancer.

Rounding out the university's cluster of medical buildings along Highland Avenue, the IRC will be located adjacent to the UW Hospital and Clinics, the Waisman Center, the School of Pharmacy, the Health Sciences Learning Center and the soon-to-be constructed American Family Children's Hospital.

Source: Daily Reporter (Milwaukee)

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