1995

UW Hospital is restructured as a public authority so that it can operate more freely. The clinical practice plan is restructured into the University of Wisconsin Medical Foundation. Initiative begins to raise funds for a new Center for Health Sciences building.

Construction on the Health Sciences Learning Center, which will house instructional space, administrative offices and a combined health sciences library, begins and is completed in 2004. Addressing a third major facilities crisis since the school’s founding, Dean Farrell uses the HealthStar.

1997

Governor Tommy Thompson signs budget bill authorizing HealthStar. The UW Medical School launched the HealthStar campaign with two focuses: building state-of-the-art facilities and supporting 21st century research activities. HealthStar was funded through a partnership between the state, the university and the people of Wisconsin. This support provided construction of three new teaching and research facilities: Rennebohm Hall (UW School of Pharmacy building), Health Sciences Learning Center Interdisciplinary Research Complex.

2000

McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and UW Comprehensive Cancer Center combine, receive largest NCI grant ($5.76 million) and form eight research programs. These research programs optimize intra- and inter-programmatic research and facilitate efforts to apply discoveries to improving the care of our cancer patients.

2001

Ground is broken for new Health Sciences Learning Center.

2004

The School’s endowment grows from about $35 million to $435 million, including a $300 million gift from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The gift makes possible the creation of the Wisconsin Partnership Program.

2005

Groundbreaking for Interdisciplinary Research Complex, which will bring most researchers from central campus to the health sciences campus, takes place.

In preparation for a name change to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, the Department of Preventive Medicine becomes the Department of Population Health Sciences, with new master’s and PhD programs. The Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics is created, a Master of Public Health degree begins.

2006 

Name changed to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

2007

Celebrated the school's 100th anniversary.

2008

The Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research (WIMR) is a three-phase project that ultimately will consist of three towers. The first tower and the base of the second were completed. WIMR will be the centerpiece of interdisciplinary research at the school. With its proximity to UW Hospital and Clinics, the Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research will allow basic scientists and clinicians to collaborate in unprecedented ways as they strive to improve patients' health.