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The History of Versiti Blood Research Institute

Versiti Blood Research Institute (VBRI) sits at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation in the field of blood and blood disorders. The breakthroughs that happen at VBRI in transfusion medicine, immunology, thrombosis, and hematology transform patient care throughout our home on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) as well as across the globe. That dedication to world-class research has been baked into the mission since day one.

1940s – 1950s: The Foundation Years

Advances in surgery and medicine post-World War II established the importance of blood transfusion and the need for a reliable blood supply. In 1946 in Milwaukee, the vision for a community-focused nonprofit blood center took shape between the Milwaukee County Medical Society and the Milwaukee Junior League. In the Junior League’s earliest documentation, it was noted that its mission was twofold: “supply blood and plasma to patients and promote research in the field of blood as well as engage in scientific activities and endeavors.”

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In 1947, Tibor “Tibi” Jack Greenwalt, a local internist, agreed to take on the role of medical director of the newly formed Junior League Blood Center. Dr. Greenwalt had trained in hematology and gained experience in transfusion medicine in Boston and NYC, which was unusual for an internist at the time. The future “Father of Transfusion Medicine,” Dr. Greenwalt would go on to be the founder of the Blood Center of Wisconsin, the founder and first member of the American Association of Blood Banks, founding editor of the journal Transfusion, founder of the AABB rare blood program (initially based at the Blood Center of Wisconsin), and much more.

Under Dr. Greenwalt’s leadership, these early years laid the groundwork for what would become an innovative hub in the region.

  • Discovered new red blood cell antigens in the Rh system, paving the way for safer blood transfusion (1948 – 1960)
  • Developed a repository that led to the formation of the National Marrow Donor Program (1959)
  • One of the first U.S. blood centers to conduct in-house blood research (1947 – 1968)
  • Samuel Morell, PhD and Carel J. van Oss, PhD were given research support and space in the blood center, leading to research in: protein chemistry, blood banking improvements, red blood cell serology, and red blood cell metabolism.

1960s - 1970s: Research Expansion

The 1960s and 70s marked a period of rapid growth in research efforts, including the founding of the Comprehensive Center for Bleeding Disorders. This clinical-research partnership continues to provide world-class care for people facing hemophilia and other rare blood disorders. 

Dr. Richard Aster

Richard H. Aster, MD, joined the Blood Center as executive director in 1970, later becoming its president in 1975. He’d previously done a fellowship at the National Institute of Health and served as a full-time member of the Harvard Medical School faculty. 

Today a senior investigator, Dr. Aster has published approximately 400 peer-reviewed papers, co-founded the Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation, and greatly contributed to thrombocytopenia diagnosis and treatment.

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  • Dr. Greenwalt and Mieczyslaw Gajewski, MS,filed a patent for first leukofilter, a device that removes leukocytes from donated bloodand reduces risk of health complications(1963)
  • Dr. Aster received a major, 50-year grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) for “Research Training in Transfusion Medicine” (1970 – 2020)
  • Developed the first laboratory to screen blood donors for hepatitis B (1971)
  • Conducted groundbreaking research to match blood platelets for safer transfusion (1974-1978)
  • Pioneered studies to apply computers to blood banking and transfusion medicine, partnering with major hospitals like Froedtert and St. Luke’s(1974-1978)

1980s: National Leadership in Transplant and Transfusion

The 1980s were transformative, culminating in the groundbreaking of the Blood Research Institute building within the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center in 1989. It wasn’t just that our scientists contributed to life-saving breakthroughs for patients worldwide, though they did that, too, but this was truly the decade where we stepped into our role as a leader in blood research. This included co-founding the National Marrow Donor Program and being awarded the first National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute research grant to study HIV/AIDs in hemophilia patients.

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  • Facilitated the first successful bone marrow transplant for aplastic anemia from an unrelated donor (1981)
  • Identified an immune basis for cyclic thrombocytopenia, a rare disorder in which patients have a low platelet count (1986)
  • Demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing unrelated persons on a large scale as bone marrow donors for unrelated patients with no other treatment options (1986)

1990s: Breakthroughs in Patient Care

With the completed construction of the Blood Research Institute, the Blood Center of Wisconsin officially moved its research functions from its headquarters on the corner of 18th Street and Wisconsin Avenue to join the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center (MRMC) in 1991, solidifying our place in the region as a significant partner in blood research and health care.

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  • Developed a diagnostic test for the detection of antibodies that cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) (1994)
  • Discovered the basis of the T-cell immune response in neonatal thrombocytopenia (an extreme drop in platelets), leading to better treatments for mothers who develop antibodies against fetal platelets (1996)
  • Identified specific tissue histocompatibility markers for improved organ transplant matching with patients (1992-1993)

2000s: Genetic Innovation

The Blood Research Institute pushed the boundaries of blood disorders and cancer treatments even further, making deep inroads into molecular science. 

Dr. Bill Cashdollar

In 2000, Dr. Bill Cashdollar joined the Blood Research Institute to manage the Research Core Laboratories, which provide research services as well as cutting-edge instruments and technology that would normally be unavailable to independent labs. Dr. Cashdollar’s leadership bolstered the Blood Research Institute’s identity as a place for scientific collaboration. 

  • Discovered a gene therapyusing genetically engineering platelets to deliver factor VIII, decreasing the formation of dangerous antibody complications for hemophilia patients (2006)
  • Developed a diagnostic method to improve patient screening for von Willebrand disease, a rare blood clotting disorder (2007)

2010s: Becoming Versiti

By 2010, we expanded to include Wisconsin Donor Network, Wisconsin Tissue Bank, and the Medical Sciences Institute. A year later, the Adult Sickle Cell Clinic – the only one of its kind in Wisconsin – was established. This wide, comprehensive range of lifesaving services, all contained within one unified organization, was and remains truly unique. At last, in 2019, the Blood Center of Wisconsin transformed into a five-state nonprofit organization with blood centers also in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Together, they formed Versiti.  

  • Filed a U.S. patent for bioengineered platelets using gene editing and stem cell methodologies (2014)
  • Developed a new gene therapy technique that uses a patient’s own immune cells and standard vaccine technology to fight tumors (2016)
  • Discovered new ways to control inflammation on the molecular level during cancer immunotherapy, potentially leading to saving lives during cancer treatments (2012)

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Versiti Blood Research Institute Today

Today, Versiti Blood Research Institute is home to more than 30 principal investigators who are conducting cutting-edge research in immunology, hematology, and cell and gene therapy. Plus, even more is on the horizon with a 79,000-square-foot building expansion set for completion by the end of 2026. Increasing the size of VBRI’s footprint will bring with it collaboration spaces, state-of-the-art facilities, and more investigators, scientists, and students. The positive ripple effect for health care at large, as well as patients and their families, will be truly monumental. 

From its pioneering work in transfusion medicine to its current role driving innovation in cellular and genetic therapies, VBRI remains committed to its earliest mission: transform the lives of patients through innovation and hope.

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