Versiti - Press Releases

Versiti Blood Research Institute Expansion Reaches Halfway Mark

Wauwatosa, WI — October 14, 2025

Versiti is advancing a transformative expansion of the Versiti Blood Research Institute (VBRI), a project that represents our deepening commitment to scientific discovery in blood diseases, cancers, and immune disorders. The 79,000-square-foot addition will fundamentally reshape our capacity to pursue the breakthroughs that patients and families urgently need.

This expansion will double our research infrastructure, welcome approximately 100 new team members, including some 20 principal investigators, and strengthen our position as a leader in blood health innovation and lifesaving research. With completion anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026, this facility will accelerate the collaborative science that transforms understanding into healing.

Construction Progress: A Foundation for Discovery

We've recently celebrated a significant construction milestone: one year since our September 2024 groundbreaking, we are halfway through the project and on track for our 2026 grand opening. Each day brings us closer to opening the doors of a space purpose-built for innovation.

Design Features That Connect and Inspire

Working alongside our partners at HGA and Mortenson, we've incorporated distinctive architectural elements that reflect our values of connection and contemplation:

The Innovation Bridge will establish a direct physical connection between VBRI and the Medical College of Wisconsin's new cancer research facility. We believe that the most profound discoveries emerge when scientific minds come together across disciplines and institutions, and the Innovation Bridge is a physical embodiment of that defining principle.

The Light Well will provide our research community a serene outdoor space where natural light and thoughtful design create space for quiet reflection and spontaneous collaboration. We recognize that scientific breakthroughs often require moments of pause as much as intensity of focus.

An Investment in Hope and Healing

The expansion of the Versiti Blood Research Institute extends beyond architecture and square footage. It is our collective investment in the future of medicine. This space is for patients waiting for answers, for families seeking hope, and for the rigorous pursuit of scientific truth that can change and save lives.

This facility will enable us to ask bolder questions, pursue more ambitious collaborations, and accelerate the journey from laboratory discovery to bedside impact.

Ancient DNA Expert Dr. Beth Shapiro Explores De-Extinction Science at VBRI Lecture

Join us Nov. 13 for "How to Clone a Mammoth" with MacArthur Fellow Dr. Beth Shapiro. This fascinating lecture explores ancient DNA research and the future of genetic engineering. Register today for this free event at Weasler Auditorium.

VBRI Researcher Nicole Leon Named 2025 Histotechnologist of the Year

Nicole Leon, HTL(ASCP), received the National Society for Histotechnology's 2025 Histotechnologist of the Year award for her exemplary work in the field.