Highlights of Hope 20th Anniversary

OUR HISTORY
(LEFT TO RIGHT) CASEY WONDERGEM,
GOVERNOR JOHN ENGLER, VAI FOUNDER JAY
VAN ANDEL, PRESIDENT GERALD R. FORD AND
VAI CHAIRMAN AND CEO DAVID VAN ANDEL.
Two Decades of Sustained Growth on the Medical Mile
Since Van Andel Institute broke ground in 1998 it has
spurred vital economic growth in Grand Rapids and
more than $1 billion worth of research and health care
infrastructure along the city’s Medical Mile, including:
2000: Grand Rapids Community College Calkins Science Center
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The design for Phase I of the Institute
was architect Rafael Viñoly’s first
research facility, but in the
intervening years he has gone on
to design for Princeton University,
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
and several other notable
research facilities.
The Birth of the Medical Mile
On May 20, 1998, the Van Andel family,
along with the mayor of Grand Rapids,
advisors and friends, broke ground on
the building site and began the process
of making the dream a concrete reality.
This event set off a domino effect of
development and economic growth that
would invigorate the city.
Following the initial phases of the Institute’s
construction, then-Michigan Governor
John Engler signed the Michigan Life
Sciences Corridor legislation, a $1 billion
biotechnology initiative, into law in the
Institute’s lobby. This initiative created a
collaborative web between the Institute,
the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor,
Michigan State University in East Lansing
and Wayne State University in Detroit.
Phase I of the Institute initiated the
expansion of the life science industry in
West Michigan and promoted a new
economy based on the pursuit of excellence
in human health. Due in large part to the
Van Andel family’s vision, the district that
houses Van Andel Institute, located along
Michigan Street and adjacent to Belknap
Hill, has come to be known as the “Medical
Mile.” Today, the Medical Mile serves as an
important driver for economic development
and vitality in the region.
“Here at VAI, the world’s greatest
medical detectives will unlock the
secrets of molecular and cell
biology, genetics and other life
sciences. All because of Jay and
Betty Van Andel’s belief and their
willingness to act on that belief.”
– President Gerald R. Ford
(TOP) GRAND RAPIDS, BEFORE VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE WAS BUILT;
(BOTTOM) TODAY’S MEDICAL MILE.
2003: Grand Valley State University Cook-DeVos Center for
Health Sciences
2004: Spectrum Health Meijer Heart Center
2008: Spectrum Health Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion
2008: Mid Towne Village Women’s Health Center
2009: Mercy Health Hauenstein Neuroscience Center
2009: Van Andel Institute Phase II
2010: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Secchia Center
2011: Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
2011: The RDV/Christman Michigan Street Development
Opening in late 2017: Michigan State University's
Grand Rapids Research Center
1996
1997
1999
Jay and Betty Van Andel found
Van Andel Institute (VAI).
David Van Andel becomes Chairman and CEO.
VAEI hosts the first Van Andel Educators
Institute, a national symposium for school
principals and superintendents.
Respected cancer scientist and NCI administrator Dr. George Vande Woude,
joins as Research Director of Van Andel Research Institute (VARI). Research
begins in temporary laboratory space at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Dr. Luis Tomatis appointed first
President of Van Andel Institute.
Dr. Gordon Van Wylen
appointed first Director of
Van Andel Education Institute (VAEI).
1998
Groundbreaking ceremony for VAI’s facilities
in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.
VAI helps to establish Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile—a
health sciences and medical corridor that serves as a source
for innovative biomedical research, cutting-edge clinical
care and economic growth in West Michigan.
6 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
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