Program Description
The Healthcare Innovation Fellows Program supports undergraduate students interested in developing technical, design thinking and entrepreneurial skills to address complex challenges in healthcare. The program provides students with mentored experiences in healthcare innovation through a combination of focused project work, co-/extracurricular activities, and other appropriate professional development and networking opportunities. The program draws on the many facets of the current co-/extra-curricular activities established in the School of Engineering through its Innovation and Entrepreneurship offerings, as well as the network of industry partners and external mentors curated by the Healthcare Innovation and Design Program
Essential Program Elements
HIFP student fellows must satisfy the following three program elements:
- Experiential activity relevant to healthcare innovation under the guidance of an industry or academic mentor and approved by the program director.
- One or more co-/extracurricular activities such as workshops, seminars, design challenges, etc., approved in advance by the program director.
- Informational interviews with professionals in healthcare and related fields, followed by reflections focused on professional development and vocational discernment.
Student Recruitment
The HIFP program is designed to support junior and senior students in good academic standing, who are excited about addressing complex challenges across healthcare. Student fellows will be selected based on an application that will include a brief resume, a one-page personal essay on their motivation to participate in the program, and a letter of recommendation that addresses their strengths, talents, and motivation. Upon selection, the student fellows will consult with the program director to develop a schedule that outlines how they will fulfill each of the program elements.
HIFP fellows will be provided a modest stipend support, as well as support toward related expenses (e.g. local/online workshop registration, travel to attend local seminars). HIFP is designed as a one-year program, but for motivated individuals, additional year(s) of support for project work may be arranged.