BMES Launches American Health Discovery to Celebrate 250 Years of Biomedical Engineering Innovation

 Biomedical engineering has become the backbone of modern medical advancements.

As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, we want to highlight our country’s leadership in healthcare research and discovery to the public and policymakers.

Today, the Biomedical Engineering Society introduces American Health Discovery (americanhealthdiscovery.org), a public awareness campaign and alliance aimed at bringing the work of biomedical engineering and allied fields to light.

The pivotal impact of biomedical engineering is remarkable. It includes:

• Imaging technology such as MRIs, CT scans, PET scans

• Implantable devices including pacemakers, artificial hearts, cochlear implants, and joint replacements

• Drug developments such as recombinant DNA technology enabling the production of modern therapeutic drugs for cancer and diabetes

• Diagnostics and data such as advanced diagnostics, AI-driven diagnostics, and telemedicine

• Recent biomedical breakthroughs include 3D printing of tissues, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology

• In National Security biomedical engineering enhances a soldier’s resilience through regenerative medicine and cognitive tools, and helps create advanced bio-threat detection systems while securing supply chains through synthetic biology

• In Space Exploration, including the recent Artemis II mission, biomedical engineering protects the health of astronauts through advanced life support (ECLSS), monitoring devices, and microgravity pharmaceutical research

• The Economic Impact fueling biomedical engineering innovation generates high-paying jobs, and boosts manufacturing. With every federal dollar invested, the return is roughly $2.56 to the economy. It contributes over $69 billion to the U.S. GDP annually, supporting millions of jobs and driving over $36 billion in medical equipment exports.

Over the past 50 years, biomedical engineering has evolved from a niche field into an essential discipline that integrates engineering with biology to enhance healthcare. It has transformed the practice of medicine from purely clinical observation to technology-dependent diagnosis and treatment.

It has touched my own life greatly, from the conception and birth of my son to the surgery that repaired my ACL. I hope that you will share your own story and join the alliance.