By Neil Heinen and Brennan Nardi Additional Reporting by Tara Tierney
Madison Magazine
Special To Channel 3000

It is the surest way to see the results of our labor. That's why in this special issue we celebrate organizations, individuals, and one scientific breakthrough, all of which embody the very best of Madison business - its progressive and productive climate, and its thoughtful and visionary leadership. What these honorees have in common is their impact on the growth of a diverse regional economy as well as in how, individually and collectively, they are growing products, services and ideas to sustain our city's health and vitality. Read on for a "who's who" of the Best of Madison Business 2007.

1. Admit it, you've heard the mumbling. Perhaps you've asked the question yourself: is all this talk about biomedical research as the lynchpin for the Madison region's economic future realistic? Or wise?

Two governors, one world-renowned research university, at least a half-dozen professional organizations, a nationally respected research park and, oh yes, America's most livable city, to name a few, have all hitched their horses - political, financial and quality of life - to the wagon of the life sciences, and more specifically, to stem cell research. That's a lot of eggs in one basket. What if it was the wrong basket?

After a year that saw advances in almost every arena in which stem cell research is conducted, we're more convinced than ever that this promising field holds the key to not just the economic future of this region and this state, but to advances in human health about which we can only dream.

The year 2006 witnessed the largest individual gift ever to benefit UW--Madison, fifty million dollars from alumni John and Tashia Morgridge to fund the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery. Last year also brought a major state presence at the largest, international biomedical convention, BIO 2006, and federal and state elections that sent a clear message that citizens support stem cell research. But most important to us was the founding of a new company, a second company, by stem cell pioneer, UW scientist James Thomson.

Stem Cell Products is in the running to create the first therapeutic product based on human embryonic stem cells to make it to the marketplace … platelets and red blood cells. The numbers, in terms of research dollars, applications, spinoff companies and future discoveries related to Thomson and his colleagues' work are staggering. We think Wisconsin, perhaps human history, will record 2006 as a big year for bioscience. That's why the Brian D. Howell Award for Excellence in Innovation goes to stem cell research. And because stem cell research and James Thomson are inseparable, we honor him for his work in the field.

2. Healthier Kids Means Healthier Businesses

The health of a community is tied to the health of its citizens, of course - especially the most vulnerable among us. It's also tied to the health of its health community and the healthy support that sector gets from the business community.

Sometime this summer Madison will celebrate the opening of the American Family Children's Hospital to add to our wealth of community health resources. The facility will be an eighty-patient tower adjacent to UW Hospital and Clinics with a mission of enhancing the health and welfare of children.

What a powerful message to the families, businesses, immigrants and creative thinkers moving into our region: we care so much about children that we've built a health care facility just for them.

And what a powerful partnership--one of the region's most outstanding businesses, American Family Insurance, teaming up with UW Hospital to make the dream a reality. Good health is good business.

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