Overview
Madison, Wisconsin occupies a rare position in American medicine: it is simultaneously a major research university city and a mid-sized regional healthcare hub. The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been at the forefront of stem cell science since November 1998, when Dr. James Thomson became the first scientist to successfully isolate and culture human embryonic stem cells. That foundational event made UW-Madison internationally recognized in the field, and its downstream effect on the local clinical landscape is real. Patients in Madison can access both academic medical centers operating under rigorous federal oversight and independent outpatient clinics offering regenerative orthopedic and aesthetic treatments. This mix of clinical environments means the bar for informed patient evaluation is higher here than in markets without a major research anchor.
The University of Wisconsin Health system, commonly called UW Health, operates as the primary academic medical center for southern Wisconsin. Its stem cell transplant program has treated adult patients since 1981 and pediatric patients since 1982, making it one of the longest-running such programs in the Midwest. UW Health is part of the UW Carbone Cancer Center, Wisconsin’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. For patients with blood cancers, bone marrow failure disorders, or complex hematologic conditions, this institutional infrastructure represents a level of clinical depth that independent outpatient clinics cannot replicate. Patients seeking stem cell transplantation for serious disease should begin their evaluation here.
Outside the academic center, patients in Madison increasingly seek regenerative medicine treatments for orthopedic and musculoskeletal complaints, hair loss, and aesthetic skin concerns. These outpatient clinics typically use autologous procedures, meaning cells derived from the patient’s own body, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) derived from blood draws, bone marrow aspirate concentrate, and adipose-derived cellular therapies. These treatments differ substantially from the hematologic transplants performed at UW Health; they target conditions like osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, and androgenic alopecia rather than blood cancers. The regulatory landscape for these outpatient procedures remains actively evolving, and the FDA considers many cell-based therapies in the outpatient orthopedic and aesthetic space to be investigational. Patients should ask any clinic they contact whether their specific treatment protocol has received Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance from the FDA or falls under a recognized same-day surgical exception.
Evaluating a stem cell clinic in Madison requires looking past marketing language. Board certification in a relevant specialty, documented training in image-guided injection techniques, transparent disclosure of whether treatments are experimental, and clear informed consent processes are minimum standards. The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) maintains a publicly searchable license verification database at dsps.wi.gov, which any patient can use to confirm that a physician holds an active Wisconsin medical license. Confirming hospital privileges at a Madison-area facility is a further marker of credentialed practice. The three clinics profiled below represent the range of stem cell and regenerative medicine services currently available in Madison, from a nationally accredited academic transplant program to an outpatient regenerative medicine franchise to a physician-led aesthetic practice offering PRP therapy. All information has been verified against publicly available sources as of February 2026.
Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Madison
1. UW Health Eastpark Medical Center – Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Clinic
Address: 4621 Eastpark Blvd, Madison, WI 53718
Phone: (608) 915-0100
Website: https://www.uwhealth.org/locations/eastpark-medical-center/eastpark-stem-cell-clinic
About: The UW Health Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Clinic at Eastpark Medical Center is Wisconsin’s most established and comprehensively credentialed stem cell treatment program. The program has continuously treated adult patients since 1981, making it one of the longest-running blood and marrow transplant programs in the Midwest. It operates under the UW Health Carbone Cancer Center, Wisconsin’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, a designation requiring demonstrated expertise in cancer research, treatment, prevention, and community outreach. The clinic performs both autologous transplants, using the patient’s own stem cells, and allogeneic transplants, using donor cells, as well as advanced cellular therapies including CAR-T cell therapy and bispecific antibody treatments. The program is registered with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and participates in clinical trials that give eligible patients access to treatments not yet available in standard practice. Patients and families are supported by a multidisciplinary team including chaplains, social workers, health psychologists, and child life specialists throughout the transplant process.
Physicians:
- Zhubin Gahvari, MD – Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy. Dr. Gahvari received his MD from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed his internship, residency, and fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and holds an appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. His clinical focus includes plasma cell disorders such as multiple myeloma and stem cell transplant and cellular therapies.
- Timothy Schmidt, MD – Hematology, Medical Oncology, Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation. Dr. Schmidt received his MD from St. Louis University School of Medicine, completed his residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, and completed his fellowship at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals in Atlanta. He holds board certifications in Hematology, Internal Medicine, and Medical Oncology, and serves as Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care at UW. He specializes in autologous stem cell transplantation, multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and CAR-T cell therapy.
Services:
- Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: Procedure in which the patient’s own healthy stem cells are harvested, stored, and reinfused following high-dose chemotherapy to restore bone marrow function. Used primarily for multiple myeloma and certain lymphomas.
- Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Transplant using stem cells from a matched related or unrelated donor, used when the patient’s own cells cannot be used due to disease involvement.
- CAR-T Cell Therapy: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy is a cutting-edge cellular treatment in which the patient’s own T-cells are genetically engineered to target and destroy cancer cells. Available for specific lymphomas and other blood cancers.
- Blood and Marrow Failure Treatment: Management of aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and other conditions characterized by bone marrow dysfunction.
Conditions Treated:
- Multiple myeloma and smoldering myeloma
- Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Acute and chronic leukemia
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
- Aplastic anemia and other bone marrow failure conditions
- Sickle cell disease
- Amyloidosis and MGUS
Technology and Equipment: The program utilizes advanced cellular processing laboratories, high-resolution HLA typing for donor matching, and participates in NMDP’s global donor registry network. CAR-T manufacturing partnerships enable access to FDA-approved commercial CAR-T products as well as investigational protocols.
Patient Experience: Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clinic is located within the Eastpark Medical Center campus, which consolidates multiple specialty services including hematology, oncology, and infusion therapy. A multidisciplinary support team is integrated into the transplant program.
2. QC Kinetix Madison
Address (NE Location): 4600 American Pkwy, Suite 208, Madison, WI 53718
Phone (NE Location): (608) 200-3772
Address (SW Location): 406 Science Drive, Suite 410, Madison, WI 53711
Phone (SW Location): (608) 200-3782
Website: https://qckinetix.com/madison/
About: QC Kinetix is a national regenerative medicine franchise with two outpatient clinic locations in Madison: one on the northeast side near American Parkway and one on the southwest side near the University Research Park on Science Drive. The clinics position themselves as nonsurgical alternatives for patients with musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, and sports injuries who wish to avoid or delay surgery. QC Kinetix’s treatment model centers on biologic injections, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and related regenerative biologics, delivered by trained providers under image guidance. The company describes its approach as targeting the body’s natural repair mechanisms rather than masking symptoms with anti-inflammatory medications. Free consultations are offered at both Madison locations, allowing patients to discuss their condition and candidacy before committing to a treatment protocol. It is important to note that QC Kinetix does not publicly list individual physician names for its Madison locations on its website; prospective patients are advised to confirm the credentials and licensure of any treating provider directly with the clinic prior to beginning care.
Physicians: Individual physician names and credentials for the Madison locations are not disclosed on QC Kinetix’s public website as of February 2026. The company’s national provider standards describe hiring board-certified physicians and advanced practice providers in specialties including sports medicine, orthopedic medicine, emergency medicine, and family medicine. Patients should request the name, medical degree, board certifications, and Wisconsin state license number of any provider who will administer injections, and verify that license at dsps.wi.gov before proceeding.
Services:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Blood is drawn from the patient, centrifuged to concentrate platelets, and injected into the affected joint or tissue. PRP is intended to deliver growth factors to the treatment site to support tissue repair.
- Regenerative Biologic Injections: The clinic offers additional regenerative biologic options beyond standard PRP, which may include bone marrow concentrate or other autologous cellular preparations. Specific products and protocols should be confirmed directly with the clinic.
- Class IV Laser Therapy: Deep-tissue laser therapy intended to reduce inflammation and support healing in musculoskeletal conditions.
Conditions Treated:
- Knee pain and osteoarthritis
- Shoulder, rotator cuff, and labral conditions
- Hip pain and hip arthritis
- Back and neck pain
- Elbow pain including lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Ankle, foot, and Achilles tendon conditions
- Wrist and hand pain
- General joint pain and ligament or tendon injuries
Insurance and Pricing: QC Kinetix treatments are typically not covered by insurance, as most regenerative biologic injections outside of clinical trials remain off-label or investigational. Patients should request itemized pricing and a written treatment plan before beginning care.
3. The Rawal Institute for Hair Restoration and Aesthetic Medicine
Address: 2 Science Court, Suite 101, Madison, WI 53711
Phone: (608) 721-6132
Website: https://www.therawalinstitute.com
About: The Rawal Institute is a physician-led, single-specialty outpatient practice in Madison’s University Research Park district, focused exclusively on hair restoration and aesthetic medicine. It is led by Shamila Gupta Rawal, MD, a board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon who describes her practice as the only comprehensive hair restoration surgical and nonsurgical practice in Madison. The clinic’s regenerative medicine work centers on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for androgenic alopecia and other hair loss conditions, and uses the FDA-cleared EmCyte system for PRP preparation, which the practice highlights as a point of clinical differentiation from clinics that use lower-concentration PRP systems. Dr. Rawal also applies PRP to facial and neck skin rejuvenation treatments, using the same growth-factor-rich concentrate to stimulate collagen production and tissue repair in aging skin. The practice has earned a rating of 4.98 out of 5 stars across 100 patient reviews, indicating strong patient satisfaction. Appointments are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with the clinic closed on Wednesdays and weekends.
Physicians:
- Shamila Gupta Rawal, MD – Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Hair Restoration, Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Rawal received her Bachelor of Science magna cum laude in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering, and her MD from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Illinois, where she received the Alpha Omega Alpha teaching award as a senior resident. She is board-certified in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, holds active membership in the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, and previously served as a senior physician advisor and subject matter expert for head and neck at AIM Specialty Health in Chicago.
Services:
- PRP Hair Restoration: Platelet-rich plasma is prepared from the patient’s blood using the FDA-cleared EmCyte system and injected into the scalp to stimulate dormant hair follicles and support hair density. Used for male and female pattern hair loss and other alopecias.
- Surgical Hair Transplantation: Follicular unit procedures for patients who are surgical candidates and seeking permanent hair restoration. Dr. Rawal is the only surgeon providing this service comprehensively in Madison.
- PRP Skin Rejuvenation: PRP applied to the face and neck to activate collagen synthesis and improve skin texture, tone, and firmness as part of a comprehensive facial rejuvenation protocol.
- Low-Level Laser Light Therapy (LLLT): Noninvasive scalp treatment used to complement PRP and surgical approaches by stimulating follicular activity through photobiomodulation.
- Injectable Aesthetic Treatments: Neurotoxin and filler treatments for facial rejuvenation in conjunction with regenerative approaches.
Conditions Treated:
- Androgenic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss)
- Alopecia areata and other non-scarring hair loss conditions
- Post-surgical or post-trauma hair thinning
- Skin laxity and textural aging of the face and neck
- General aesthetic skin concerns amenable to regenerative treatment
Patient Experience: The practice offers online appointment booking and has received consistent praise for the thoroughness of consultations. Multiple reviewers note that Dr. Rawal spends extended time during initial visits, uses scalp imaging to document the patient’s baseline, and does not pressure patients toward unnecessary treatments. Financing options are available.
What to Know Before Choosing a Stem Cell Clinic in Madison
The first step before contacting any clinic is to confirm that the physician who will personally perform your procedure holds an active Wisconsin medical license. The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services maintains a free, publicly searchable credential verification tool at dsps.wi.gov. Search the physician’s name, confirm the license is current and in good standing, and note the specialty in which they are licensed. Board certification is a separate credential from licensure: it indicates that a physician has passed specialty-specific examinations and maintains ongoing education requirements in their field. For musculoskeletal regenerative procedures, relevant board certifications include Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine, and Pain Medicine. For hair restoration PRP, Dermatology or Otolaryngology certifications are directly relevant. For stem cell transplants for blood disorders, Hematology and Medical Oncology board certification is the standard. Ask each clinic whether the provider performing your injection or procedure is board-certified, in what specialty, and through which certifying board.
Second, ask specifically about imaging guidance. Regenerative biologic injections into joints, tendons, or bursa are significantly more accurate when performed under real-time ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance than when performed using anatomic landmark palpation alone. Research consistently shows that unguided injections miss their target at clinically meaningful rates depending on the joint. Any clinic administering regenerative biologics for musculoskeletal conditions should be able to tell you whether your injection will be image-guided, by what modality, and by whom. If a clinic cannot answer this question clearly, that is a relevant data point about its procedural standards.
Third, clarify what cells or biologics will actually be used. The term “stem cell therapy” is used loosely in the outpatient market and sometimes applied to treatments that contain no living stem cells, such as amniotic membrane allografts or lyophilized umbilical cord products. The FDA has taken enforcement action against clinics marketing these products as stem cell therapies because the processing involved typically renders any viable cells inert. Legitimate autologous procedures use same-day processing of cells derived from your own body, such as bone marrow aspirate concentrate or PRP. Ask the clinic: where do the cells come from, how are they processed, what is the approximate cell concentration in the final preparation, and is this protocol registered with the FDA or covered by an Investigational New Drug application. Willingness to answer these questions transparently is itself a marker of clinical credibility.
Fourth, understand that most outpatient regenerative biologic treatments for orthopedic and aesthetic conditions remain investigational under FDA regulatory standards. This is not necessarily a reason to avoid them, but it does mean that insurance coverage is rare, that long-term efficacy data from randomized controlled trials is limited for many applications, and that results vary substantially by condition severity, patient age, and procedural technique. Madison’s proximity to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health and its affiliated research infrastructure means that some patients may be eligible to participate in registered clinical trials investigating these treatments under proper ethical oversight. Searching ClinicalTrials.gov for trials enrolling in Madison or Wisconsin can identify whether any university-affiliated studies are enrolling for your condition, potentially providing access to investigational treatments at no cost while contributing to the evidence base.
Disclaimer: This directory is for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement. All clinic details were verified against publicly available sources as of February 2026 and are subject to change. Verify credentials independently and consult a licensed physician before pursuing any treatment. The FDA considers many outpatient stem cell and regenerative biologic therapies to be investigational. Patients should conduct due diligence on any provider before beginning care.