UW News

April 7, 2006

UW Health Sciences Open House will demonstrate the latest in research and technology April 28 and 29

More than 65 exhibitors will demonstrate the latest in research and technology in health sciences and medicine at the 31st University of Washington Health Sciences Open House from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, April 28, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 29. The Health Sciences Center is located at 1959 N.E. Pacific St. in Seattle. Held every two years, this family-friendly event attracts thousands of high school students and community members. The event is free and open to everyone.

Many of these hands-on, interactive exhibits feature virtual reality medical presentations, high-tech patient simulators and computerized models of recent research. Information will be available on educational and career opportunities in health sciences. The theme of the event is “Passport to Health: Make the Global Connection!”

Exhibits will include:


  •  Picture Yourself in Medicine – Visitors can dress as a professional physician (white coat & stethoscope) and take home their photograph.
  •  Discover how Songbirds Help Brain Scientists – The UWMC Department of Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery) has several other elements in their exhibit including an interactive experiment to help understand how you maintain your state of balance, information about therapeutic voice care and advancements in ear and hearing care.
  •  Institute for Surgical & Interventional Simulation — Just like airplane simulators, medical simulators help to teach medical students how to take care of patients and manage medical emergencies. Students practice using simulators on computers and use task trainers, where they can learn to shock hearts back to life, put breathing tubes in, do operations, and see hi-tech computer-controlled mannequins.
  •  Medical Technologists: Solving Medical Mysteries! – If you like being a detective, doing scientific experiments, and want to help patients, come and find out more about Medical Technology and how these professionals are involved in solving medical mysteries.
  •  Rehabilitation Medicine – Helping people with disabilities to improve their health and participation in life’s activities. Visitors can test grip strength and learn about occupational therapy’s role in helping people gain independence. They can also experience what it’s like to use a prosthetic arm or to walk while wearing plastic lower leg braces or ski boots with prosthetic feet attached.
  • Germ Warfare — Visitors can be a part of a hands-on School of Nursing demonstration of handwashing to see how well they really do (or don’t) wash their hands!
  • Autopsy and Surgical Pathology Tours – The Department of Pathology will offer tours of the Autopsy and Surgical Pathology facilities. Register online!

As part of the Open House, a global health forum and free film screening will be held on Saturday, April 29 at noon in the Hogness Auditorium in the Health Sciences Center, followed by a screening of the PBS documentary series, Rx for Survival: A Global Health Challenge. Dr. Stephen Bezruchka, Dr. Ann Marie Kimball, and Loyce Mbewa will discuss issues in global health awareness and action.

More than 1,500 students are expected Friday, with many of them returning with families and members of the community visiting Saturday.

For more information, call the 24-hour recorded Open House Hotline at (206) 685-9420; or visit the Open House Web site at www.uwmedicine.org/global/newsandevents/hsoh.