FISH Signature Event
72 hours. Real healthcare problems. Real prototypes.
Overview
The Medical Device Make-A-Thon is a 72-hour design competition where interdisciplinary teams of students come together to rapidly conceptualize, design, and prototype solutions to real-world medical challenges.
Inspired by the fast-paced nature of hackathons, the Make-A-Thon emphasizes hands-on problem solving, clinical relevance, and practical innovation. Students from all majors and universities are invited to join.
How It Works
Participants take part in interactive workshops throughout the weekend, covering topics like clinical need-finding, CAD design, and electrical prototyping. These sessions give teams practical tools they can immediately apply as they develop their solutions.
Teams work together to design and prototype a medical device solution using materials, 3D printers, electrical components, and fabrication tools. Along the way, mentors help guide technical decisions, design iteration, and problem-solving.
At the end of the weekend, teams present their final concepts and prototypes to judges, mentors, and peers. Presentations highlight the problem, the design process, and the potential real-world impact of each solution.
Students collaborate with peers from different backgrounds while engaging with clinicians, engineers, and industry partners throughout the event. This creates opportunities for mentorship, networking, and connections that extend well beyond the Make-A-Thon.
Who It’s For
Timeline Preview
From kickoff and workshops to prototyping, mentor checkpoints, and final presentations, the Make-A-Thon is designed to keep teams moving from idea to impact.
View Sponsor Page
Why FISH
The Medical Device Make-A-Thon reflects FISH’s mission to make healthcare innovation more practical, accessible, and impact-driven. By bringing together students, clinicians, and industry mentors to tackle real medical challenges, the event encourages teams to design solutions that are not only creative, but also feasible, thoughtful, and grounded in real-world need.
In doing so, the Make-A-Thon introduces students to the principles of frugal innovation: designing with limited resources, focusing on usability, and creating solutions that can make meaningful healthcare impact.
Current Partners
The Jefferson Trust
MicroAire
Charlottesville, VA, 22904
