Education and innovation have the power to drive meaningful change in healthcare. This core belief came to life in an extraordinary way through Beekley Medical's recent partnership with the University of Connecticut (UConn) for the inaugural InnovateHealth PitchFest, a healthcare-focused pitch competition that united nursing and engineering students in a groundbreaking collaboration.
Why We Partnered with UConn
This partnership was born out of a shared vision to empower the next generation of healthcare innovators. As a company rooted in solving challenges for medical professionals, we saw this collaboration as an opportunity to mentor students, inspire groundbreaking ideas, and advance our mission of leaving the world better than we found it.
UConn’s Nursing and Engineering Innovation Center provided the ideal platform for this initiative. The center is one of the first programs of its kind to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting the development of healthcare technologies that address unmet clinical needs. By working together, Beekley Medical and UConn are shaping a future where education and innovation intersect to improve patient care and provider experiences.
“Our partnership with UConn wasn’t just about supporting a competition,” said Michael T. McGuire, Beekley Medical’s Director of Strategic Growth and Innovation. “It was about creating a platform for collaboration, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving. We wanted to challenge students to think critically, act boldly, and develop solutions that could make a difference.”
Innovation in Action
The InnovateHealth PitchFest was a remarkable showcase of creativity and determination. Over several months, student teams worked tirelessly to address critical healthcare gaps. The results were astounding, ranging from a color-changing patch to detect early-stage radiation dermatitis to a wearable biometric sensor ink capable of real-time health monitoring.
What made these innovations even more impressive was the journey behind them. Many students drew inspiration from personal experiences or pressing healthcare challenges they encountered in their studies. With mentorship from Beekley Medical and UConn faculty, their ideas were refined into compelling, actionable solutions that have the potential to transform healthcare.
“Our goal wasn’t just to inspire students to innovate,” McGuire shared. “We wanted to help them connect their passion with their purpose. The results were beyond anything we could have imagined.”
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to the Future
With the success of this competition, plans are already underway for a spring 2025 PitchFest. This new iteration will give participants the opportunity to build on their ideas, gain additional funding, and continue refining their projects. This partnership is a reflection of Beekley's long-term commitment to fostering innovation and education within our industry and another example of how we support our local communities.
When we invest in young minds, we’re investing in the future of healthcare. By supporting initiatives like the InnovateHealth PitchFest, we’re not only helping students develop their potential but also contributing to the creation of technologies that can improve lives.
Join Us in Driving Change
As we reflect on the success of this collaboration, we are reminded of the power of partnership and shared vision. Together with UConn, we are empowering future leaders to make an impact in healthcare—and we couldn’t be prouder of the results.
For more updates on our work and insights into the future of healthcare, follow BeekSpeak and join us on this journey of innovation and collaboration and trying to make the lives of everyone we touch a little better.
Mary Lang Pelton
Director of Marketing Communications
