What beganas an informal collaboration between University of Louisville medical and engineering capstone students has evolved into Bluegrass Biodesign, a groundbreaking interdisciplinary program uniquely positioned at the University of Louisville.Nationally recognized, the program was created in response to a widespread gap in medical education around the evaluation, use and development of medical devices.The program represents a bold step into new frontiers in medical training and innovation and exemplifies the university’s commitment to innovation, research excellence and student success. 

Over the span of nine months, the Bluegrass Biodesign program guides rising second-, third- and fourth-year medical students through a structured curriculum designed tobuild a shared foundation in medical entrepreneurship. The program culminates in the developmentof a proof of concept for an original medical device, empowering students to transform clinical insights into tangible solutions, fostering skills that extend well beyond the classroom.  

The program’s impact was recently affirmed at the national level when an abstract focused on Bluegrass Biodesign’s educational model was accepted to the 2026 Innovations in Medical Education Conference, where it is also under consideration for a Best Poster award. The recognition highlights the program’s success in preparing medical students early in their training to engage meaningfully in innovative and translational research. 

“Bluegrass Biodesign reflects the School of Medicine’s dedication to pushing boundaries in how we educate future physicians,” Jeffrey Bumpous, dean of the School of Medicine said. “This program demonstrates what is possible when we intentionally invest in interdisciplinary learning experiences that prepare students not only to practice medicine, but to help shape its future, too.” 

A defining feature of Bluegrass Biodesign is its close partnership with the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, with additional support from business and entrepreneurship faculty across the university. This collaborative framework directly contributes to student success by equipping participants with experience in teamwork, research dissemination and professional development.  

According to In Kim, vice dean of strategy and innovation for the School of Medicine and faculty lead of Bluegrass Biodesign, the program’s national recognition reflects the strength of its interdisciplinary foundation. “Bluegrass Biodesign brings medicine, engineering and business together in a way that mirrors how innovation actually happens,” Kim said. “That interdisciplinary experience gives our students the confidence and skills to contribute meaningfully to the future of health care.”  

Building on years of success, Bluegrass Biodesign has expanded to include a formal financial and business curriculum taught by students and faculty from the University of Louisville’s business and entrepreneurship schools. Looking ahead, program leaders hope to further expand interdisciplinary collaboration by welcoming students from additional schools across the university, including law, nursing and dental.  

Togift financial support to expand future programming opportunities for Bluegrass Biodesign, visit ourGiving webpage.