About AIMBE

AIMBE: An Advocate for Technological Innovations That Save, Enhance Lives

The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering was founded in 1991 to establish a clear and comprehensive identity for the field of medical and biological engineering - which is the bridge between the principles of engineering science and practice, and the problems and issues of biological and medical science and practice.

Practical engagement of medical and biological engineers ranges from the fields of clinical medicine to food, agriculture and environmental bioremediation. AIMBE seeks to serve and coordinate a broad constituency of medical and biological scientists and practitioners, scientific and engineering societies, academic departments and industries.

Based in Washington, DC, AIMBE:

• Promotes awareness of the field and its contributions to society in terms of new technologies that improve medical care and produce more and higher-quality food for people throughout the world;
• Works with lawmakers, government agencies and other professional groups to promote public polices that further advancements in the field;
• Strives to improve intersociety relations and cooperation within the field;
• Promotes the national interest in science, engineering and education; and
• Recognizes individual and group achievements and contributions to medical and biological engineering.

AIMBE is comprised of four sections:

• The College of Fellows - 1,000 individuals who are the outstanding bioengineers in academia, industry and government. These leaders in the field have distinguished themselves through their contributions in research, industrial practice and/or education. Most Fellows come from the United States, but there are international Fellows. The Chair of the College leads the committee that plans the overall program at AIMBE's Annual Event, held each winter in Washington.
• The Academic Council - Universities with educational programs in bioengineering at the graduate or undergraduate level. Currently there are approximately 85 member institutions. Representatives to the Council generally are chairs of their departments. Many also are members of the College of Fellows. The Council considers issues ranging from curricular standards and accreditation to employment of graduates and funding for graduate study. The Academic Council meets at the Annual Event and at another scientific meeting during the year.
• The Council of Societies - AIMBE's mechanism coordinating interaction among 18 scientific organizations in medical and biological engineering. The purposes of the Council are to provide a collaborative forum for the establishment of society member positions on issues affecting the field of medical and biological engineering, to foster intersociety dialogue and cooperation that provides a cohesive public representation for medical and biological engineering, and to provide a way to coordinate activities of member societies with the activities of academia, government, the health care sector, industry and the public and private biomedical communities. The Council of Societies meets at AIMBE's Annual Event.
• The Industry Council - A forum for dialog between industry, academia and government in order to identify and act on common interests that will advance the field of medical and biological engineering and contribute to public health and welfare. Industrial organizations may be members of the Industry Council if they have substantial and continuing professional interest in the field of medical and biological engineering. The Industry Council meets at the Annual Event.

The AIMBE Board of Directors oversees the work of the College of Fellows and the three Councils. The Board consists of a President who is assisted by two Past Presidents, the President-Elect, four Vice-Presidents at Large, a Secretary-Treasurer and the Chair of the College of Fellows - all of whom are elected by the Fellows. The Board also includes chairs of the other Councils and chairs of all standing committees. AIMBE's day-to-day operations are supervised by the Executive Director in the Washington headquarters.

AIMBE's Annual Event each winter in Washington, DC, provides a forum on the organization's activities and is a showcase for key developments in medical and biological engineering. The Annual Event includes a one-day scientific symposium sponsored by the College of Fellows, a ceremony to induct the newly elected Fellows, and a one-day series of business meetings focused on public policy and other issues of interest to AIMBE's constituents.

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