Penn’s chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society has received a Commendable Achievement Award — the second-highest honor attainable — from the national BMES organization.
Penn BMES was given the award during the society’s annual meeting, which took place Oct. 8–11. According to their website, BMES looks for a chapter that demonstrates “they are second to only one” as well as strong growth, initiatives, and opportunities.
The winning chapter receives an engraved plaque, two complimentary annual meeting registrations, and travel support reimbursements of up to $1,250. The award is only second to the Outstanding Achievement Award, which the University of California, Irvine won in the 2025 competition.
Engineering junior and BMES President Krish Modi accepted the award alongside Engineering senior and former President Kyulee Kim at the annual meeting.
“[BMES has] given me the chance to connect with students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals and to help make our department feel more connected,” Modi said to the Penn Bioengineering Blog. “Receiving the Commendable Achievement Award is an exciting recognition of all the energy and care our team puts into building that community.”
As one of over 115 student chapters nationwide, Penn’s chapter competes with several other top universities for these awards.
“Being recognized as the best club of the year by Penn Engineering and now by BMES nationally affirms that our efforts have been meaningful for the community and motivates us to continue making an impact,” Kim said.
BMES is a national organization founded in 1968, dedicated to connecting biomedical engineers across the country as well as running four peer-reviewed publications. BMES is also responsible for accrediting biomedical engineering programs.
Penn BMES previously won recognition from the national society in 2014, when they won the Outstanding Outreach Program Award for their leadership in community service, volunteering, and outreach to local communities.
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Last year, Penn BMES also won Penn Engineering’s “Club of the Year” award, partially for expanding and creating several club initiatives — including founding a high school research competition for local Philadelphia students. Penn BMES also maintained involvement in organizing a fall research symposium in conjunction with the Wharton Healthcare Club and Penn Undergraduate Chemistry Society.
