Museum of Medicine and Biomedical Discovery

In 2022, a doctor and former pharmaceutical executive decided to take steps to address eroding public confidence in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and science by founding the Museum of Medicine and Biomedical Discovery. In his vision, the museum would help educate visitors about the scientific method, how treatments are developed, and become a trusted source of information about medicine. While the board was enthusiastic and had excellent connections to pharmaceutical companies, federal health agencies, and academic institutions, no one knew much about how museums operate or how to develop a successful new museum. Museum Insights was hired to develop a concept plan that would provide a long-term plan for growth from big idea to bricks and mortar.

Museum Insights began the planning process by helping the museum refine its understanding of who it served. Initially, the museum hoped to serve adults, especially those skeptical of science and “big pharma”, students, tourists, and people working in field or fascinated by biomedicine. Working closely with the project team, Museum Insights narrowed the primary focus to serving students, teachers, and their families. Then, we developed four possible concepts for the museum’s development. The museum team selected the concept that initially focuses on developing immersive traveling exhibits for science centers on medicine and biomedical topics, and using this effort as a launch pad to develop an independent museum. The final concept plan provided a road map for the concept and a simple budget covering the first five years of anticipated operating and capital expenses. The museum is actively using the plan to advance its fundraising and hopes to open its first temporary exhibit in the next two years.