The Ohms Law Foundation is continuing to build momentum following its first anniversary, with updated impact numbers and the launch of a new national initiative focused on strengthening biomedical equipment technology education.
Foundation founder Chace Torres shared that the organization has now awarded 27 scholarships totaling $30,500, works with 13 foundation partners and has supported nine BMET programs to date. The nonprofit also raised $38,000 during its first year.
The updated numbers build on a strong first year for the organization, which was created to support students, professionals and underserved communities through scholarships, certification funding and educational outreach.
“The reason the foundation exists is to give out scholarships,” Torres said in a recent interview. Scholarship opportunities are open to individuals pursuing a biomedical degree, certification or classes preparing them for a certification exam.
International Biomed Education Collaborative Launches
The foundation is also expanding its educational efforts via participation in the International Biomed Education Collaborative (IBEC).
With the mantra “Strengthening Education. Advancing HTM.”, IBEC is designed to connect BMET education programs across the country and create a network where educators can share ideas, resources, challenges and opportunities.
Through the collaborative, the Ohms Law Foundation hopes to identify opportunities for joint grant funding, industry partnerships, faculty and program support, and stronger pathways for students entering the healthcare technology management profession.
The foundation will help bring the network together and support its growth, while participating educators will help determine the collaborative’s direction and priorities.
The goal, Torres said, is simple: strengthen BMET education and create more opportunities for students entering the profession.
The foundation had previously identified the collaborative as part of its work to assist biomedical degree programs, including helping programs pursue grants together and obtain resources needed to educate the next generation of HTM professionals.
The inaugural BMET college programs joining IBEC are:
- Cincinnati State Community College
- Northwestern Michigan College
- Penn State Greater Allegheny
- Schoolcraft College
- St. Clair College
- St. Petersburg College
- St. Philip’s College
For more information about the Ohms Law Foundation, visit OhmsLawFoundation.org.
