The Center for Healthcare Engineering & Patient Safety (CHEPS) officially joined the University of Michigan’s Industrial and Operations Engineering (IOE) Department, further enhancing its mission to improve healthcare systems through systems engineering and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Center for Healthcare Engineering & Patient Safety (CHEPS) has transitioned to its new home at the University of Michigan’s Industrial and Operations Engineering (IOE) Department, effective July 1, 2024. This move represents a continued initiative within the department to push the boundaries of healthcare delivery through systems engineering and interdisciplinary collaboration.
With its integration into U-M IOE, CHEPS aims to further elevate its impact on healthcare innovation. This partnership will enhance the collaboration between IOE faculty and students and the broader healthcare community, both inside and outside of the University of Michigan. As a result, CHEPS will have greater access to the vast resources and expertise within IOE, fostering new research opportunities and expanding its role in training the next generation of engineers dedicated to leading widespread healthcare transformation.
CHEPS has long been a leader in applying engineering principles to improve healthcare systems, combining operations research, human factors, and patient safety expertise to tackle complex healthcare challenges. Since its opening in 2011, it has aimed to bring together students, faculty, staff, and industry partners to work on real-world healthcare problems, including patient safety, system efficiency, and care delivery, among others.
CHEPS works closely with local organizations like Michigan Medicine, the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research, and Michigan’s state-run psychiatric hospitals. They have also broadened their partnerships across state lines to include the Veterans Affairs Atlanta Healthcare System, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and beyond.
This transition reinforces U-M IOE’s mission to advance social responsibility through healthcare engineering solutions. As CHEPS continues its work under IOE, it remains focused on improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare delivery, solidifying its place as a key player in the future of healthcare engineering.