Technology-Inspired Health Innovation at Illinois

Shape the future of health innovation and education at Illinois

The Health Innovation Visioning Committee has been charged by Chancellor Jones to consider a new technology-inspired academic health research and education model that makes a significant, visible, and sustained impact on human health. We have been asked to think comprehensively, broadly, and boldly how such a model can uniquely position Illinois as a national and global leader in health innovation that improve the human condition and impact humanity.

Town Hall Recordings:

Oct. 19	ACES Library
Oct. 25	Beckman Institute
Oct. 26	Illini Union

Building on the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute’s growth and successes and the work of the Health Sciences Strategy Task Force from 2018, this Visioning Committee will set the foundation to elevate health sciences and education, as well as technology and social innovation here at Illinois.

The committee has worked to gather broad input from the campus community through various discussions, Town Hall meetings, and an online input form. This input will be incorporated into a white paper report to the Chancellor in January 2023.

The DERBI app records and tracks exposure to environmental chemicals. Image credit: Sarah Geiger with the Illinois Kids Development Study, Silent Spring Institute, and University of California at San Francisco's Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment

Wheelchair gloves: Adam Bleakney - Human Performance Mobility Maker Lab (DRES). Photo: Deana McDonagh

Students making 3D larynx model. Credit: College of Applied Health Sciences

The Personalized Unique Rolling Experience (PURE) wheelchair. The PURE team includes: principal investigator Hsiao-Wecksler and Assistant Professor Jo�o Ramos from MechSE, along with co-principal investigator Professor Deana McDonagh of the School of Art and Design; co-principal investigator Clinical Associate Professor William Norris of the Department of Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering; and senior personnel from the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) in the College of Applied Health Sciences (AHS), Adam Bleakney (head coach, Men's and Women's Track, Field, and Racing), Dr. Patricia Malik (recently retired director of DRES), and Dr. Jeannette Elliott (head physical therapist).

FlexVent (based on Illinois RapidVent design) a low-cost, single-use emergency ventilator produced by Belkin International. Photo: The Grainger College of Engineering

LittleBeats� is a wearable mobile sensing device equipped with sensors to measure motion and heart rate, as well as a microphone to record audio. The LittleBeats Projects are being conducted by Dr. Nancy McElwain (Department of Human Development and Family Studies; Director of the Interdisciplinary Lab for Social Development) in collaboration with Drs. Mark Hasegawa-Johnson and Romit Roy Choudhury (Electrical and Computer Engineering).

A mood board system that enables individuals to communicate visually (without linguistic restrictions). Photo: Deana McDonagh, Industrial Design

3D printed shoes for wheelchair users. Photo: Deana McDonagh, Industrial Design

Questions? Please reach out at healthinstitute@illinois.edu.