Children's Wisconsin Medical College of Wisconsin power of academic medicine
At Every Turn > Research and Innovation > Kids deserve the power of academic medicine
Patient Stories Jul 04, 2022

Kids deserve the power of academic medicine

Jason Jarzembowski, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer Jul 04, 2022

From the moment they open their eyes, children embark on a journey of constant learning. In their formative years, we encourage our kids to have a desire and appreciation for knowledge. We invite them to ask questions, and to critically and creatively think about the world around them. We teach them to overcome obstacles with problem solving and determination. We delight in their curiosity to understand things more deeply. We hope that our kids develop these skills so that they can be a good example for others as they grow older and so that they may be well-equipped for the life ahead of them.

We devote a lot of time and attention to this learning journey our kids are on. So, when considering a medical provider, wouldn’t you want to choose one who values these same principles?

A journey of learning through academic medicine

Children’s Wisconsin has been affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) since 2000. What makes this more than two decade partnership unique is the focus on academic medicine. But what is academic medicine? 

Academic medicine refers to medical centers that have a partnership with a medical school where clinical patient care, medical research and education take place. Academic medical centers also help set quality standards for patient care nationwide, train the health care workforce, evaluate promising treatments through clinical trials, further scientific concepts through research and provide the majority of complex care.

As a parent, this means you get the best care for your child. Whether it’s out in the community addressing health disparities, in the lab creating gene therapies or enhancing survival of children with life-threatening illnesses, doctors and researchers at MCW and Children’s Wisconsin focus on all aspects of advancing knowledge for the benefit of kids.

Pediatric experts at Children’s Wisconsin

Parents can see this kind of patient care come to life through the pediatric experts at Children’s Wisconsin. This group of specialty doctors was formed out of the affiliation between Children’s Wisconsin and MCW, and includes more than 600 providers across Wisconsin. Most Children’s Wisconsin specialty doctors are employed by MCW, and all are dedicated to providing the highest quality specialty health care services to infants, children and adolescents.

Children’s Wisconsin specialty physicians are committed to providing the best of the best patient care, while advancing the effectiveness of health care through education and the application of leading-edge research and innovative technologies. Only 5 percent of the nation’s hospitals are part of academic medical centers, so this group is a critical link between Children's Wisconsin and MCW's commitment to excellence in medical education and research.

Today’s curiosity fuels tomorrow’s treatments

Research through academic medicine has led to some of the most essential medical treatments and findings we know today. Without this research, many of the life-saving procedures, medicines and health protocols might not exist for our kids.

Providers from MCW and Children’s Wisconsin dedicate countless hours to laboratory and clinical research projects in addition to their work treating patients. Click here for a snapshot of just a few faculty members who have recently published work in key research areas.

Children’s Wisconsin and MCW embrace knowledge and curiosity, just like we encourage our kids to do, so that world-class care and discoveries will remain top priority today, tomorrow, and in the future to come. 

Children's Wisconsin Resources

Researchers at Children's Wisconsin work to develop cutting-edge treatments and medical breakthroughs designed to improve the health of children. We represent the most powerful concentration of pediatric research in the region. Innovation means more here. View more articles from Jason Jarzembowski, MD, PhD

Related stories

Germelle Sickle Cell Disease Children's Wisconsin MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Patient Stories Jan 02, 2025

A Boy’s Life: Doctors at Children’s Wisconsin Gave Germelle a Second Chance To Be a Kid

Evan Solochek Writer

For the first three years of Germelle’s life, he spent more days in the hospital than in his home.

Trinity Herma Heart Institute at Children's Wisconsin
Patient Stories Dec 09, 2024

Strength, Endurance and Connection: How Trinity Beat All the Odds

Jen Novotny Writer

When Trinity came to Children's Wisconsin in 2021, she had a very slim chance of surviving.

Owen and Ean Transnasal Endoscopy TNE Children's Wisconsin Gastroenterology, Liver and Nutrition Program
Patient Stories Nov 13, 2024

A better way: How a new technique is improving care for kids with chronic GI issues

Erin Kohlmann Writer

For kids with chronic stomach and GI issues, Children's Wisconsin is dedicated to bringing them comfort.

Lottie NICU Children’s Wisconsin HOPE (Healthy Outcomes Post-ICU Engagement) Clinic
Patient Stories Oct 23, 2024

Little darlings: A new Children's Wisconsin clinic is giving the smallest babies hope

When Lottie was discharged after nine weeks in the Children's Wisconsin NICU, her journey was just starting.

Collins Enteral Feeding Program Children's Wisconsin
Patient Stories Sep 23, 2024

Home sweet home: How a unique Children’s Wisconsin program is getting babies home faster than ever

Evan Solochek Writer

The Enteral Feeding Program at Children's Wisconsin is the only fully integrated, multidisciplinary newborn nutrition programs in the country.

Camden spinal muscular atrophy SMA Children's Wisconsin Neurosciences Center
Patient Stories Aug 28, 2024

A new hope: How specialized gene therapy is helping kids with a rare genetic disorder

Evan Solochek Writer

Cutting-edge treatments are giving kids with spinal muscular atrophy hope.

Shanika family single parent foster care
Patient Stories Aug 20, 2024

What matters most: Married or single, love is all you need in foster care

Shanika Wilder Foster Mother

Shanika Wilder used to think you had to be married or have a partner to foster — she now knows how mistaken she was.