Laird Center for Medical Research

Tour the Laird Center

Laboratory Medicine

Anatomic Pathology

This area of Laboratory Medicine consists of different services focused on the study of tissue.

• Cytopathology is the study and diagnosis of diseases on a cellular level. Most commonly known for the interpretation of the Pap smear, (a routine test used in the detection of cervical cancer), the laboratory also evaluates cell samples from other body sites for the detection of cancer.
• Microbiology is concerned with microscopic or smaller organisms. This lab has generated extensive interest for its work in identifying antibiotic-resistant staph strains.
• Histology encompasses the processing of tissues for the presence of cancer and other tumors in all types of tissues including the ovaries, breast and colon; and for other problems such as kidney disease, muscle degeneration, and digestive tract maladies such as Crohn’s disease.
• Surgical Pathology examines the gross and microscopic details of all tissue biopsies to diagnose tumor or disease process.
• Electron Microscopy allows for the evaluation of tissue at the sub-cellular level, by using an electron beam. This method allows for diagnosis of medical disease and diagnosis of tumors.

Clinical Laboratory

A 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation, Clinical Laboratory staff provides expert support for patients needing routine care or facing a life-threatening emergency. The Clinical Laboratory employs more than 350 people in Marshfield and produces approximately 14 million test results per year for the Clinic and for other clinics and hospitals throughout Wisconsin.

As part of the Clinical Laboratory in the Laird Center for Medical Research expansion, two automation lines run approximately 75 percent of the tests that come into the laboratory – without human interaction.

Division of Laboratory Medicine Education Programs

Marshfield Clinic’s Division of Laboratory Medicine offers academic training in seven programs. The diversity of the testing performed in the Clinic’s laboratories and the expertise of laboratory staff allow for practical training of college and university students. Students may complete their education in diploma, associate, bachelors and masters level programs. The histotechnician, cytotechnology and clinical laboratory science/medical technology programs are independently accredited. The laboratory is also affiliated with accredited universities and colleges and provides practical training for professions such as phlebotomy technician, clinical laboratory technician, clinical microbiologist and pathology assistant.

Introducing SADIE

SADIE is a robot that assists researchers and clinicians 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Her name stands for Specimens and Aliquots Delivered Internally Everyday (SADIE).

SADIE travels her transport route between departments by reading a fluorescent strip built into the linoleum flooring of the Laird Center.