EWH Chapters are formed to promote the mission of EWH: Delivering medical expertise and technology to underserved regions. Chapters provide their student members with opportunities to travel to the developing world, deliver equipment to the developing world, or simply promote understanding and goodwill between the developed and developing world. University of Minnesota engineering students participate in a variety of activities to enhance their engineering skills and acquire knowledge that will be essential to them when emerging into the work force.

1. Assessment
A biomedical engineer visits the selected hospital to determine their medical equipment needs. We help determine what equipment the hospital can support. We work with the hospital administration to help them reach their goals, be it adding the ability to treat a new disease, expanding the clinical laboratory, or just fixing what they have.

At the end of assessment, we generate a list of equipment and/or supplies that fill the needs of the target hospital. Then we fill a box, or as much as a 40-foot container, with the requested equipment and supplies. Finally, we ship the donation to the less fortunate hospital.

2. Install and Train
But getting the equipment there is just the first step. If the people cannot use the equipment, it is a waste of time and money.

After the donation arrives, EWH makes a second engineering visit. Our experienced volunteer engineers install the equipment and train the staff. EWH engineers also spend time repairing the equipment already in the hospital.

We also train the local technical staff in the maintenance of the equipment. Eventually, we want them to be able to take care of their own equipment.

3. Training and Spare Parts
Inevitably, something goes wrong. A cable is lost or broken or some critical step in the training is skipped or forgotten. So, EWH makes a third visit. We bring spare parts and repeat critical training. We make sure EWH equipment gets there and gets used.