Service-Learning in Biomedical Engineering: Engineering World Health (EWH)

Abstract

Two engineering professors founded Engineering World Health (EWH) in 2001 with the initial goal of sending refurbished medical equipment to hospitals in the developing world. That mission quickly changed to a more sustainable, student-driven model where students spend nine weeks in a Tanzania, Nicaragua or Rwanda. Despite the linguistic, technical and cultural challenges, students are very successful. For example, in 2013 alone, they worked on 602 pieces of non-functioning hospital medical equipment and were able to place 73% of it back into service. The creation of university-based chapters as an integral part of the summer program has allowed EWH to expand the impact of the program on both the hospitals and the students themselves. An essential element in the continued success and growth of the summer institute has been a rigorous admissions process.