Marshfield Medical Research Foundation

Foundation Information

Located in central Wisconsin, Marshfield Medical Research Foundation is one of America's largest non-university-based, private research organizations. As the research division of Marshfield Clinic, a multi-specialty group practice based in Marshfield, Wisconsin, Marshfield Medical Research Foundation is integral to the Clinic's mission to serve patients through accessible, high quality health care, research and education.

Foundation researchers regularly receive grants of hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars from federal agencies and private corporations and foundations. The Center for Medical Genetics recently received a $22 million federal grant, setting a Marshfield Medical Research Foundation record. The Foundation has more than 200 research projects in progress at any given time.

Since it was established in 1959, the Marshfield Medical Research Foundation has grown from one employee working in 145 square feet of space to more than 200 employees housed in approximately 100,000 square feet of space in the Lawton Center for Research (opened in 1990) and Melvin R. Laird Research Center (1997). 

Community Information

Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, Marshfield is a safe, clean community with a population of about 20,000 people. The region boasts a solid economy and a low cost of living which includes below national average costs for housing and transportation.*

Community pride is evident in the private and city funds invested to make Marshfield a great place to live. The downtown offers old-school charm, featuring a variety of new restaurants along with staples like The Kitchen Table and The Daily Grind. The opening of a multi-use plaza last year provides a location that can host a variety of activities year-round, including concerts and other performances. It offers significant green space, outdoor dining and seating areas where families and friends can meet to enjoy a meal together or the entertainment. Continued community investments include a new multi-million dollar aquatic facility coming in 2022.

Although our name might imply it, Marshfield was not founded on a marsh. However if you are looking for some, the McMillan Wildlife Area does have a few. Located one mile outside of town you will have access to 6,500 acres for hiking, biking, hunting, canoeing, cross-country skiing, berry picking, and wildlife or bird watching or simply enjoying the fresh air. If you are interested in more outdoor activities you can always visit Wildwood Park and Zoo or Jurustic Park, home to sculptures created from our agricultural fossilized past.

With excellent schools and high school graduation rates high above the national average, Marshfield is committed to offering and preparing students for top-notch education opportunities. UW-Marshfield/Wood County campus offers a two-year associate degree as well as a four-year bachelor’s degree in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Marshfield is also home to Mid-State Technical College.

Need to get out of town and explore? There are plenty of options that are just a short distance away from Marshfield. You can easily do a day-trip to enjoy bigger community attractions without the inconvenience of living there.

Those of us that have chosen to call Marshfield home have come to enjoy the benefits of short commutes, safe and friendly neighborhoods, fresh air and water, bountiful nature, and so much more. Come and see for yourself.