Clinical Immersion Programs

Every summer, BME students can immerse themselves in clinical environments. Cardiovascular (CV) and Immersion, Networking, and Technology with Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinicians (INTENT) clinical immersion programs are two-week shadowing programs with IU Health and other supporting institutions in Indianapolis (IUSM, Riley Children's Hospital, etc.) Learn more about the programs described below.

INTENT Clinical (Immersion, Networking, and Technology with Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinicians)

INTENT Program Description

INTENT Clinical is an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) focused clinical immersion program founded by the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) with the belief that collaboration between engineers and clinicians is essential to medical innovation. To catalyze these relationships and build biomedical engineers' clinical understanding, INTENT Clinical allows students at Weldon School of Biomedical Engineers to immerse themselves in clinical medicine. This program consist of an initial weeklong segment spent at IUSM learning from surgeons through lectures, cadaver labs, and additional hands-on learning activities. Week one of the program is followed by a week of shadowing experiences, complemented by lectures from device reps and engineers.

Application Process and Timeframe

This two-week program starts in mid-July and takes place annually in Indianapolis at the Indiana University School of Medicine and its affiliate hospitals. This program is targeted towards rising juniors and rising seniors. Applications for the Summer 2024 program will open January 8th, 2024 with a due date of February 4th, 2024. On February 16th, 2024 students will receive a notification via email regarding interview invitations. Interviews will be held in person between February 19th, 2024 and March 1st, 2024. Program acceptance offers will be sent by March 8th, 2024.

What '23 ENT Program Participants Say

“As a BME student, ENT INTENT Clinical program was delightful as I was able to talk to many clinicians and better understand clinical needs.”

“Very glad I participated and definitely will recommend for some of my peers to attend next year”

“Before this program, I was planning to apply my technical degree to industry via business or finance. I still plan to do this, but the program reinvigorated my passion for medicine and developed my understanding of the overall healthcare system.”

“I really enjoyed observing and assisting in the cadaver lab as everyone was willing to answer questions and explain the procedures being performed. In our downtime, I even got to talk to doctors and device reps about where they could see room for improvement in the field”

What '23 CV Program Participants Say

“I feel that getting to meet with the doctors in a small group setting where I could learn and ask questions was a unique and valuable experience.”

“This experience was enriching and challenging to my understanding of healthcare as well as to my own personal growth. We got a chance to put a lot of previously learned theory into practice by seeing surgeries, attending lectures, and perhaps most importantly, interacting with the hospital staff.”

“Before this program, I never knew what a perfusionist was, and now I would like to become one.”