Reflecting on 20 Years of Partnership
In 2024, the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP) marked 20 years of grantmaking. We celebrated this milestone by reflecting on our proud history and sharing the impact and achievements of grant partners throughout the state.
Anniversary Events
Over 200 people, including faculty, community members and WPP partners gathered at the Health Sciences Learning Center for two WPP anniversary events.
Grantee Showcase
Three panels of grant recipients across the domains of research, education and community partnerships shared how WPP funding has helped them innovate, discover and transform lives through impactful work. Thank you to the presenters and attendees who joined us – we enjoyed learning, connecting and celebrating with you!
Evening Reception
At an evening reception, we celebrated and honored the visionary leaders who helped establish the Wisconsin Partnership Program at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, UW School of Medicine and Public Health Emeritus Dean Philip Farrell, UW School of Medicine and Public Health Dean Robert N. Golden, and Associate Dean and WPP Executive Director Amy Kind shared their thoughts and reflections on the transformational impact of WPP on our school and state.
Spotlight on Progress
Web stories about our two decades of impact, an announcement of 25 projects selected for funding, and a special anniversary message from Dean Robert N. Golden, MD, and Associate Dean Amy Kind, MD, PhD, all chronicled the progress of the last twenty years, and shared the vision powering WPP into the future.
Stories of Achievement and Impact
Our 20th anniversary offered the perfect opportunity to share our history and impact through storytelling. Engaging articles trace WPP’s beginnings and shine a light on the work that grantees across the state are leading to improve health and advance health equity.
- Grants power two decades of impact
- WPP celebrates 20 years of moving health forward
- Honoring the 20th Anniversary of Blue Cross Blue Shield United’s Gift to Improve Health in Wisconsin
Announcement of New Grant Recipients
The Wisconsin Partnership Program announced 25 projects selected for funding through its 20th anniversary community and postdoctoral grant programs. The grant programs, launched as part of WPP’s 20th anniversary celebration, provide $444,000 in awards for research and community projects to improve health and advance health equity in Wisconsin.
Anniversary Message From Dean Golden and Associate Dean Kind
Thank you for joining us to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Wisconsin Partnership Program! It is truly a momentous occasion. Today we honor our history, while keeping our focus on the future. We celebrate the visionaries who made this work possible, while highlighting the many ways that the Wisconsin Partnership Program is currently advancing health in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Partnership Program was made possible by a generous endowment gift from Blue Cross and Blue Shield United of Wisconsin when it converted to a stock insurance corporation. As a result of the conversion, substantial gifts were given to the University of Wisconsin Medical School (now the UW School of Medicine and Public Health) and the Medical College of Wisconsin, with a clear mandate that these funds would be used to forward the health of the people of Wisconsin.
The vision, dedication and leadership of many talented individuals resulted in the amazing and impactful program we celebrate today — the Wisconsin Partnership Program — a program which directly catalyzed the transformation of our medical school into the nation’s first school of medicine and public health.
Throughout the past twenty years, the Wisconsin Partnership Program has responsibly stewarded this gift, advancing health and health equity through investments in community partnerships, education and research.
The Wisconsin Partnership Program’s impact reaches all corners of Wisconsin. WPP-funded research projects are driving breakthroughs in disease treatments and tackling complex and intractable health challenges. WPP-funded education initiatives continue to strengthen both medical and public health education, ensuring that future clinicians and the next generation of public health leaders are prepared to meet the ever-evolving needs of our state, patients and populations. WPP’s community partnerships are supporting essential community-led work to address health needs and build innovative programs across the state.
The Wisconsin Partnership Program is a true embodiment of the Wisconsin Idea — bringing together the passion, insights and expertise of community and faculty grantees to create innovations that improve health and build stronger, healthier communities. Thank you again and congratulations to the many partners and colleagues who have made — and continue to make — this work and impact possible!
Robert N. Golden, MD
Robert Turell Professor in Medical Leadership
Dean, UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Amy Kind, MD, PhD
Associate Dean for Social Health Sciences and Programs, UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Executive Director, Wisconsin Partnership Program
UW School of Medicine and Public Health