On Dec. 4th 2020, MS in Health Technology students presented their capstone project ideas to the Advisory Board. In November, students were matched to their capstone projects and introduced to their project sponsors. In December students presented project ideas to all capstone sponsors, faculty, and the Advisory Board in a Five Minute Madness format. Students received feedback about their capstone projects and next steps for planning in Spring semester.
The Master of Science in Health Technology program held an Advisory Board meeting on October 26, 2020. The MS-HT Advisory Board supports the program through advice and guidance to students on their academics, career, Capstone Project, and other professional issues. Advisory Board members represent healthcare organizations, small and large companies, and community partners. Our students eagerly joined the board meeting via Zoom where they introduced themselves and discussed their interests in health technology.
The Master of Science in Health Technology program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was excited to welcome its first class in the Fall of 2020. This inaugural class is diverse and represents undergraduate majors including Community Health, Computer Science Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Medical Anthropology, and Psychology.
Despite the need to take precautions related to Covid-19, the students have been able to meet in person for classes and to work collaboratively on engaging, hands-on projects. One project (pictured above) is re-imagining hypertension management for older adults. In this project, students were challenged to evaluate an existing wireless blood pressure cuff and associated mobile app, gather information about potential users, and create a series of prototypes to test their ideas for an improved system. Teams focused on different aspects of users’ needs and challenges using new digital health technologies. At the end of the semester, the teams worked together to combine their ideas into a few best concepts for a new product.
On August 21, 2020, the Master of Science in Health Technology Program held orientation for its first class. To adhere to the COVID guidelines, the students were welcomed by MS-HT staff Wendy Rogers, Director of the Health Technology Education Program, and Nicole Holtzclaw-Stone, Assistant Director for the Health Technology Education Program. Faculty joined the orientation meeting via Zoom to introduce themselves to the new students. Orientation took place in the McKechnie Family LIFE Home (Living in Interactive Future Environment) pictured above.