From groundbreaking medical advances to bold new partnerships, our vision has always been about impact and evolution. Together, we will shape a lasting legacy and drive the future of health.
When people ask me “Why Wisconsin?” I have an easy answer: our vision of “healthy people, healthy communities” — a seed planted in my mind during my first visit to Madison and growing ever since. It’s a perfect expression of the transformation we want to make in our state and our world.
A vision is what shapes our passion and daily activities and links us to the Wisconsin Idea. It can pull us back to our “why” when we face challenges. Each of us plays a role in how we treat each other and bring our shared vision into focus.
The more I explore of our history, the more I see incredible examples of our vision. Our scientists transformed the field of organ transplantation with the UW Solution in the 1980s. Work on the early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis was truly life-giving — ultimately leading to an increase in the life expectancy of babies born with this illness by more than 40 years!
Today we continue to make strides toward discoveries with similar impact. A cutting-edge clinical trial is helping kidney transplant patients forgo a lifetime of anti-rejection drugs. Theranostics is allowing us to precisely detect and treat cancer in one fell swoop. I can’t wait to see how the university’s RISE Initiative will further enhance our ability to collaborate with university partners on work like improving healthspan and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI).
I am also discovering that I am a bit of a Midwesterner at heart: I enjoy dreaming big about what is possible, and then approaching that goal with pragmatism and elbow grease. I was so energized by a visit to the School of Pharmacy last month, and I look forward to spending more time with campus partners to learn how our visions align.
Reflecting on our vision can also help us imagine the future we want to make together. In the coming academic year, I look forward to engaging with you on a strategic planning exercise. By building on our strong foundation, we can develop a 21st century vision to power us today, tomorrow, and into the next century.
A previous version of this blog included an error about when the UW Solution was developed, stating that it was 100 years ago. It was developed in the 1980s.