Innovation is more than a buzzword—it’s a mindset, a movement; in Milwaukee, it’s a way of life. At the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), we’re not just imagining a healthier future—we’re building it. And we’re doing it with purpose, collaboration, and the grit that defines Wisconsin.
Leading Through Collaboration
Wisconsin is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of biohealth innovation. Our state’s ability to invent, build, and deploy transformational health solutions is unmatched. What sets us apart is our cross-sector collaboration—industry, academia, and government working in lockstep to make real impact. One example of this is the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, a federally designated regional innovation powerhouse focused on personalized medicine.
MCW is leading one of five integrated, trailblazing projects within the TechHub: CAREScan. It’s a mobile, community-based cancer screening solution that brings lifesaving early detection to medically underrepresented populations. As the project director for CAREScan, I see firsthand how innovation must be collaborative—meeting people where they are, literally and figuratively. Better health should not be a privilege of proximity. It must be accessible and driven by data and compassion.
The Future is Personal
Personalized medicine is not the future—it’s the now. Treatments tailored to your DNA, biomarkers, environment, and lifestyle have the power to transform care from reactive to proactive. Wisconsin is poised to lead nationally in this space, especially in three high-impact areas: theranostics (combining diagnostic imaging and therapeutic interventions to target and treat diseases), multicancer early detection, and gene therapy.
The momentum is real. With funding from the Economic Development Administration Regional Tech Hub grant, the state of Wisconsin, and generous in-kind support from consortium partners, we’ve set ambitious 10-year goals: $9billion in new economic activity and 30,000 new direct jobs. But this isn’t just about economics—it’s about outcomes. It’s about people living longer, healthier lives because of what we’re doing.
Why It Matters
My journey to this role isn’t linear. From TV producer to festival organizer to community advocate to strategist, I’ve always been drawn to what brings people together and what moves them forward. At MCW, I get to combine that passion with purpose—building partnerships, expanding access, and igniting growth.
I’m proud to be part of a state that’s not waiting for the future of healthcare—we’re creating it. Milwaukee is no longer a hidden gem; we’re a shining example of how innovation can change the world with a growth attitude and collaboration.
Let’s keep pushing boundaries—together.
