Versiti Blood Research Institute Articles
Bridging Science and Hope: Versiti Formalizes the Translational Hematology Program
In the journey from scientific discovery to life-changing treatments, few moments are as pivotal as when research shifts from discovery to clinical practice. Today marks a significant milestone as Versiti officially formalizes the Translational Hematology Program (THP) as a full program within the Versiti Blood Research Institute.
Under the leadership of Lisa Baumann Kreuziger, MD, MS, the THP represents Versiti’s collective commitment to accelerating the translation of breakthrough discoveries into treatments that transform lives. This formalization creates a dedicated home where clinical investigators can seamlessly bridge the gap between laboratory insights and patient care.
"I think we have the opportunity to build upon a foundation of clinical and translational researchers to bring expertise of all types of researchers to improve blood diseases," Dr. Baumann Kreuziger says.
The Human Story Behind the Science
As a VBRI investigator and a practicing physician at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Baumann Kreuziger understands how scientific questions emerge from patient encounters. When she realized that there was no organized group of clinical researchers dedicated to studying blood clots in veins, she established VENUS, the Venous ThromboEmbolism Network U.S. This network now spans more than 40 research centers across the country, working to improve care for patients with blood clots.
This is the essence of translational research—identifying critical gaps in patient care and mobilizing the scientific community to address them systematically and collaboratively. "Seeing patients helps to frame important areas of research," Dr. Baumann Kreuziger says. "It is incredibly rewarding to be able to answer a patient's question with evidence from our research on how to improve their care."
Building Bridges
By enhancing collaboration among basic science, clinical research, and patient care, the THP program creates pathways for discoveries to transition seamlessly from the lab to the clinic. For Dr. Baumann Kreuziger and her colleagues, this means having "the unique opportunity to improve the understanding of diseases in patients with bleeding and clotting disorders and improve treatments with clinical research."
This formalization also increases external visibility of Versiti's translational and clinical research efforts, creating opportunities for broader collaboration and funding that can accelerate breakthroughs.
A Strategic Vision for Impact
The THP joins Versiti's existing research programs: Thrombosis and Hemostasis; Vascular Biology, Transfusion Medicine, and Cellular Therapy; and Hematopoiesis and Immunology. Collectively, these programs represent the comprehensive scope of blood health research where life-saving discoveries have improved medical practice for nearly 80 years.
The program builds upon a remarkable legacy of clinical and translational research excellence. Pioneers like Dick Aster, MD; Joan Gill, MD; Gil White, MD; and Bob Montgomery, MD established VBRI's reputation as a place where clinician-scientists could pursue fundamental questions about blood health while maintaining deep connections to patient care. Their collaborative spirit and commitment to bridging laboratory science with clinical medicine created the foundation upon which the THP now stands.
VBRI investigators dedicating 50 percent or more of their effort to translational and clinical research will report directly into the THP, allowing those investigators to more clearly and effectively pursue external grant support and philanthropic partnerships focused on translational science.
Collaborative Excellence in Action
As Dr. Baumann Kreuziger noted in 2020, "being a clinician-scientist gives you a perspective about what questions are important to patients and their health," while basic science researchers focus on molecular mechanisms and biology. The THP establishes formal structures that allow these perspectives to inform and enhance one another.
This collaboration extends beyond Versiti's walls, strengthening connections throughout the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, including Froedtert Hospital, Children's Hospital, and the Medical College of Wisconsin. These partnerships are essential for translational research, which requires seamless integration between research facilities and clinical care environments. As Dr. Baumann Kreuziger notes, "Working together, the impact to patients far outweighs what each institution could do alone."
The Path Forward
As we look toward the future, the THP is VBRI’s opportunity to accelerate discoveries that will improve outcomes for patients with blood disorders, advance our understanding of hematologic diseases, and train the next generation of translational investigators. "The translational hematology program gives a home for clinician scientists for peer mentoring, idea generation, and support," Dr. Baumann Kreuziger says.
"We have several projects to address research in women's health that will hopefully improve the care of women with bleeding and clotting disorders," she says. "With researching new technology and the work of the REDS program, we aim to improve blood transfusion for patients."
The journey from laboratory discovery to patient benefit is rarely straightforward, but with focused leadership, collaborative structures, and unwavering commitment to translational excellence, we create the conditions where scientific hope becomes healing reality. The THP is our collective investment in that transformative journey.