Grand Rapids Medical Mile

Grand Rapids Medical Mile
Medical Mile seen from across the Grand River.
Country	United States
State	Michigan
City	Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Medical Mile is a designated area within the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It began with medical-related development in the Hillside District Grand Rapids, Michigan, bordering both sides of Michigan Street. More than a decade later it encompasses an area five times larger. It has also been referred to as Grand Rapids Medical Corridor, Michigan Street Medical Corridor, Health Hill, Medical Hill, and Pill Hill, among other names. It was started in 1996 with the founding of Van Andel Institute by Jay and Betty Van Andel. It has since expanded to include the Grand Rapids Community College's Calkins Science Center across Bostwick Avenue, Spectrum Health's Butterworth Hospital complex, Grand Valley State University's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, and Michigan State University Secchia Center Medical School, among other facilities in the area.

Van Andel Institute (VAI) is a research institution that primarily conducts cancer research, but also studies other diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes and Parkinson's disease. It was founded in 1996 by philanthropists Jay and Betty Van Andel. At the time "there was little scientific activity in Grand Rapids." The institute opened in 2000 and expanded in 2009. Initially, most of the research was funded by an endowment from Jay Van Andel, which has been estimated at $1 billion. Jay Van Andel suffered from Parkinson's disease; Betty suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Their son, Dave, is the current CEO.

The VAI facility was built in two phases. The $60 million first phase was 160,000 square feet (15,000 m²) and included 40,000 square feet (3,700 m²) of laboratory space. It also featured the 325-seat Tomatis Auditorium and the Cook-Hauenstein Hall. It is located on Bostwick Avenue with the north end on Michigan Street.