MCW Mellowes Center Outreach
At the Mellowes Center, we believe that community is fostered by working together to achieve something larger than ourselves. Our dedication goes beyond research; it's about cultivating a generation of passionate scientists while fulfilling our responsibilities as compassionate stewards within our global, regional, and local communities.
Mellowes Center Impacts Health Around the World
Since 2017, the Mellowes Center has significantly expanded its national and international collaborations for rare and undiagnosed disease research and clinical care. By partnering with esteemed researchers and clinicians worldwide, the Center leverages cutting-edge technologies and advanced analytical methodologies to understand each patient’s genome and what it reveals about their health, wellness, discomfort, or disease. These research collaborations enable the Mellowes Center to bring advanced analytics to a broader network of patients with undiagnosed or rare conditions, ultimately striving to improve patient care and health outcomes. Future projects will continue to build on these efforts by enhancing genomic analysis to diagnose and treat rare diseases with precision and by applying the knowledge gathered from a single patient variant to learn more about the thousands affected by the disease.
International Collaborations
INSERM, National Institute of Health and Medical Research | Marseille, France
Dr. Urrutia's collaboration with Dr. Iovanna has led to groundbreaking discoveries in precision medicine, notably the importance of including epigenomic approaches in the classification of pancreatic subtypes (Basal vs. Classical), each requiring unique therapeutic approaches.
PMCID: PMC12304713 - Understanding the heterogeneity of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Saint Joan de Deu Children’s Hospital | Barcelona, Spain
Collaborations with Drs. Francesc Palau & Janet Hoenicka help to treat patients that have symptoms but no diagnosis. Using 3D Genomics, we generate models of protein movement and function as well as conduct experiments in patient-derived cell lines to determine how each unique, potentially one-of-a-kind, genetic change affects physiology.
Casa de Raros | Porto Alegre, Brazil
Dr. Urrutia's collaboration in Brazil offers a unique opportunity to leverage his lab's advanced computational genomics and 3D modeling techniques within their diverse genomic database, establishing an interconnected network of comprehensive care for people with rare diseases. The goal is to provide multidisciplinary care to patients and their families through rapid and accurate diagnosis, advance treatment options, establish research focused on rare genetic diseases, and train the next generation of health professionals.
National Collaborations
We are proud to collaborate at local, regional, and national levels, reflecting our commitment to advancing discovery through connection. From partnerships rooted in Wisconsin to alliances across the Midwest and coast to coast, we work together to accelerate research, strengthen clinical impact, and engage communities nationwide.
Community Collaborations
Harmony 4 Hope (H4H)
The Mellowes Center has been a strong advocate for Narrative Medicine, emphasizing the importance of patient storytelling in healthcare. By sharing patients' stories and emotions, Narrative Medicine provides holistic care that integrates the role of stories in both understanding and treating illnesses.
Our partnership with Harmony 4 Hope (H4H) reflects this commitment. H4H incorporates music to fuel rare disease research, educate current and future medical professionals, and unite affected communities. Dr. Raul Urrutia, Director of the Mellowes Center, serves as a Scientific Advisor for H4H, recognizing the power of music in raising awareness for rare diseases.
Community Outreach
Beyond these endeavors, our team members actively seek avenues to contribute meaningfully to our community.
Annually, we organize 'Snack Pack' lunches for local youth, conduct sock drives aiding the homeless population, and orchestrate holiday gift drives, bringing joy to over 100 young individuals in our area.
Contact Us
Medical College of Wisconsin
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 955-4887
(414) 955-6516 (fax)
mellowescenterinfo@mcw.edu
