Faculty spotlight: Bridging the gap between theory and practice - Authentic assessment in an athletic training course

Joanne Klosser

The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning at IU recently published a spotlight highlighting the efforts of Professor Joanne Klosser in the Department of Kinesiology at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington. Learn more about her approach to pedagogy and the valuable experiences gained by her students.  

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Eta Sigma Gamma awards two distinguished faculty members

This year, two distinguished faculty members from the School of Public Health-Bloomington have been selected by Eta Sigma Gamma for their outstanding achievements and contributions:

Mohammad Torabi

Dr. Mohammad Torabi
Dean and Chancellor's Professor

Dr. Mohammad Torabi is the 2014 recipient of the Presidential Award. The award honors Dr. Torabi’s remarkable record of teaching, service, scholarship, and leadership activities that have earmarked his professional career. 

He has published over 125 refereed articles, book chapters, and monographs as well as delivered hundreds of presentations at state, national, and international conferences; and will soon exceed the two million dollar level in funded research projects. 

Today he continues to make substantial contributions to knowledge through his health promotion and disease prevention research addressing tobacco and other drugs use prevention, cancer, and HIV/AIDS infection.

Dr. David Lohrmann

David Lohrmann

Professor and Chair of the Department of Applied Health Science

Dr. David Lohrmann is the 2013 recipient of the Honor Award. The award is presented to individuals or organizations that have made major contributions to the health education profession through service, education, and/or research.

His 42 year career includes 17 years of public school teaching and administrative experience, including as a district-level health coordinator, and 10 years of service as a national school health evaluator for CDC. Over his career, he has authored or co-authored over 95 scholarly works including professional journal articles, books, book chapters, technical reports, and executive summaries; has delivered more than 250 presentations at local, state, national, and international conferences; and has been instrumental in the accrual of over $21 million in grants and contracts. Additionally, over the past 20 years, he has provided technical assistance on school health issues to numerous state education and public health departments throughout the United States, including recent service on strategic planning and accreditation committees of the Indiana State Department of Health.   

About Eta Sigma Gamma

Eta Sigma Gamma National Health Education Honorary is dedicated to the promotion of health education by elevating the standards, ideals, competence, and ethics of professionally prepared men and women in the field of health education.

Brian Dodge receives Collaborative Fellowship Grant

Brian Dodge

Dr. Brian Dodge, associate professor in the Department of Applied Health Science and associate director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion, has been awarded a Collaborative Fellowship Grant from the Institute for Advanced Study at Indiana University to support the development and implementation of the U.S-India Partnership for Sexual Health Promotion. 

The highly competitive award is designed to enable innovative and interdisciplinary research that will assist with facilitating the applicant’s successful process of promotion from associate to full professor at Indiana University Bloomington. 

The Institute for Advanced Study, a research entity within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, is Indiana University’s leading center for the pursuit of new knowledge and new directions of inquiry in all fields of study. It pursues its goals and contributes to the university’s research mission by supporting intellectual exchanges that are primarily collaborative and interdisciplinary and at an early stage of development.

Student contributes to Little 500 tradition

Ren-Jay Shei is a life-long Bloomington resident, and as part of the local community, developed a love for cycling early on. 

Having ridden since high school, it was a natural transition for Shei to become involved in the Little 500 when he became an IU student. "I grew up watching the race and knew that it was something that I wanted to be a part of. It turns out that it was one of the best decisions I made. The people I met through Little 500 are amazing and most of my best friends (and my fiance) from college are former Little 5 riders,” he said. 

As an undergraduate student, Ren-Jay rode for the Black Key Bulls, a men’s independent team. He transitioned to coaching the team his senior year and serving as the assistant coach for the Alpha Xi Delta sorority team when his USA Cycling category transitioned to "semi-pro," making him ineligible to participate in the race as a competitor. 

Ren-Jay Shei 

As a graduate student in the Department of Kinesiology at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington, pursuing a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, Shei has remained involved with both teams, currently serving as the Head Coach for the Alpha Xi Delta sorority team and Assistant Coach for the Black Key Bulls. He noted that his experiences and education from the School of Public Health has significantly contributed to his understanding of the sport. 

"The most obvious contributions have been what I've learned about all aspects of sport science ranging from basic physiology and training program structure to motor learning and practice schedules, and sport psychology. Every day I get the chance to apply the concepts and content that I learn in the classroom to two functioning, real-world cycling teams, which is incredible. As an undergraduate student, I received a minor in coaching through the school, which really helped me recognize things that I could improve and gave me the tools to succeed as a coach. It'd be fair to say that my education at the School of Public Health-Bloomington has had a positive and defining role in shaping me as a coach."

School recognizes outstanding alumni

The Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington recently honored six distinguished alumni, with honorees including past university department chairs, leaders in sports management, and individuals who have been instrumental in policy development both domestically and abroad.

"We could not be more pleased to honor these exceptional alumni," Dean Mohammad Torabi said. "Their dedication and commitment in their chosen fields is a true inspiration to all of us, and we are thrilled to have them as part of the school's family."

The school has been presenting awards since 1976 to the most prestigious graduates, those who excel professionally and personally. Recipients this year are:

Anita Aldrich Distinguished Alumni Award

• Kathleen Cordes, Professor Emerita of Miramar College

Early Career Alumni Award

• Kalen Irsay, Vice Chair and Owner of the Indianapolis Colts

John R. Endwright Distinguished Alumni Service Award

• Thomas Templin, Professor at Purdue University
• Scott Chakan, Director of Operations for Cassady Neeser & Brasseur a member of The Horton Group, Inc.

Mobley International Distinguished Alumni Award

• Talal Hashim, Professor of Public Health Safety and Education at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia

W.W. Patty Distinguished Alumni Award

• Eugene Monahan, retired Head Athletic Trainer for the New York Yankees

"Our 2014 alumni award recipients are some of the most distinguished and dedicated alumni," said Natalie Kubat, Director of Donor and Alumni Relations. "We are proud to be recognizing them and their accomplishments."

Each award winner received a plaque and was added to an honor wall at the School of Public Health-Bloomington.

Clockwise from top: Eugene Monahan, Scott Chakan, Thomas Templin, Kalen Irsay and Kathleen Cordes 

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Study: Iron consumption can increase risk for heart disease

Jacob Hunnicutt

A new study from the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington has bolstered the link between red meat consumption and heart disease by finding a strong association between heme iron, found only in meat, and potentially deadly coronary heart disease (CHD).

The study found that heme iron consumption increased the risk for coronary heart disease by 57 percent, while no association was found between nonheme iron, which is in plant and other non-meat sources, and coronary heart disease.

The study was published online ahead of print in the Journal of Nutrition. Along with first author Jacob Hunnicutt, a graduate student in the school's Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the study’s co-authors are Ka He and Pengcheng Xun, faculty members in the department.

Hunnicutt said the link between iron intake, body iron stores and coronary heart disease has been debated for decades by researchers, with epidemiological studies providing inconsistent findings. The new IU research, a meta-analysis, examined 21 previously published studies and data involving 292,454 participants during an average 10.2 years of follow-up.

The new study is unique because it looks at the associations of total iron consumption as well as heme and nonheme iron intake in comparison to the risk of coronary heart disease. The only positive association involved the intake of heme iron.

The body treats the two kinds of iron differently. It can better control absorption of iron from vegetable sources, including iron supplements, but not so with iron from meat sources.

"The observed positive association between heme iron and risk of CHD may be explained by the high bioavailability of heme iron and its role as the primary source of iron in iron-replete participants," the researchers wrote in the journal article. "Heme iron is absorbed at a much greater rate in comparison to nonheme iron (37 percent vs. 5 percent). Once absorbed, it may contribute as a catalyst in the oxidation of LDLs, causing tissue-damaging inflammation, which is a potential risk factor for CHD."

Iron stores in the body increase over time. The only way to reduce iron in the body is by bleeding, donating blood or menstruation. Some dietary choices, such as coffee and tea, also can inhibit iron absorption.

IU to expand public health partnership aimed at promoting sexual health research, education, and training activities in India

Brian Dodge

In India, a country of 1.24 billion people, of whom nearly 2.5 million are currently living with HIV, the need is even more urgent for public health interventions that are evidence-based, culturally congruent, and high impact in terms of their ability to promote sexual health. In India, sexual risk behavior remains the main mode of HIV transmission and men who have sex with men (MSM) are characterized by disproportionately high rates of HIV prevalence (ranging between 7% and 24%). Relatively high rates of bisexual behavior have also been found among Indian men. Men who have sex with both men and women (MSMW), who may or may not self-identify as a “bisexual,” face unique psychosocial challenges but they remain understudied and underserved.

Dr. Brian Dodge, associate professor in the Department of Applied Health Science and associate director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion, and his research colleague Dr. Swagata Banik, associate professor of and director of the public health program at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio, recently met with partners in India’s oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) health service and advocacy organization, The Humsafar Trust. The team laid the groundwork for an exploratory study of sexual health among Indian bisexual men, which led to a series of focus groups, followed by in-depth interviews with 50 behaviorally bisexual men in Mumbai. They intend to use the pilot data for a subsequent grant proposal to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

This summer, the team will return to India to share the preliminary findings of their first project and, in collaboration with several new colleagues from the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington, to launch a new initiative, the U.S.-India Partnership for Sexual Health Promotion. 

The primary goal of the partnership will be to facilitate new opportunities for advancing the field of sexual health through collaborative and community-based research, education and training initiatives among colleagues on both continents. With institutional support from the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs at Indiana University, the members of this unique initiative are hoping to expand their efforts to work with other sexual health issues and priority populations in other geographical areas throughout India.

"We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with Baldwin Wallace University, The Humsafar Trust, and other with others across the Indiana University Bloomington campus who are invested in promoting public health research and practice initiatives in India," Dodge added. "It truly is a special place and we simply would not be able to do this work without the insight and expertise of our academic and community partners as well as the resources and institutional support from Indiana University."

Civic Ecology: The intersection of urban ecology, restoration, and public health

James Farmer

Dr. James Farmer, Assistant Professor from the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies recently joined colleagues from the Indiana University Department on Biology for a presentation at the New Dimensions in Urban Health and Action conference. The conference, hosted by the Center for Urban Health at IUPUI, featured presentations and posters highlighting cutting-edge research and action on urban issues spanning the health sciences, social sciences, environmental health, and community wellness. 

The conference was held during Public Health Week to highlight the necessity for researchers, practitioners, and the community to work together to meet current and future challenges to human health in cities.

Entitled "Civic Ecology: The Intersection of Urban Ecology, Restoration, and Public Health," the group’s presentation highlighted the importance of urban ecosystems and the services they provide for public health. Topics discussed included local and national examples of how urban citizens are working to rebuild their ecological systems through civic ecology, as well as provide a framework for engaging in community-based-participatory-research that positions scientists and community members together to restore native woodlands. An excellent example of restoring native woodlands includes removal of invasive species and enhancing the natural ecosystem of Dunn's Woods on the IU Bloomington campus:

IUSPH grad inspiring others with his own journey

Zach Tobias

When Zach Tobias graduated last May from the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a concentration as a Health Fitness Specialist, he had no idea he was about to embark on a life-changing journey. 

Dedicated to spreading a message about health and physical activity, Zach has embarked on a journey that will take him 3,600 miles across the country. By sharing his journey along the way, Zach hopes to inspire others to develop healthy, active lifestyles. His mission has been fueled by what he's learned about the importance of being active and healthy through his studies at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington.

"My best friend once asked me 'Zach, how are you going to change the world?' and my answer was 'I have no idea.' Deep down inside I was frustrated because I didn't have a clue and I wanted to have some crazy awesome answer to come back with that would really impress her. I thought about it for months and every night it haunted me. Finally, one thought lead to the next, ideas were hitting me left and right, and I decided this would be the start of my answer to that question," he said.

Zach departed from Surf City, North Carolina in April 2014 and should arrive in Eureka, California sometime in late 2014 or early 2015. His journey will be blogged on his website as well as on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr. He expects to travel somewhere in the ballpark of over 3,600 miles, will use apps to track his location, and fitness equipment to track his vitals as he travels. 

You can follow Zach’s journey online at: http://acrossthecountryfitness.com

Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health - Gamma Beta Chapter Initiation

The newly formed Indiana University Chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health celebrated the initiation of a group of leaders this past April. Delta Omega was founded in 1924 when public health as a profession was still in its infancy. The society was established to promote graduate study in the emerging field prior to the establishment of university-based education in public health.

In addition to the initiation of new chapter members, Dr. Ed Marshall shared his thoughts on what Delta Omega has meant to him, how it has shaped his life and provided him experience and opportunities. As a founding member of the IU School of Medicine's Department of Public Health, Dr. Marshall served for many years as an adjunct professor in the department, and became the first optometrist to be elected to serve as president of the Indiana Public Health Association. In 2003, he even became the first optometrist in the 132-year history of the American Public Health Association to be elected chair of the executive board.

Delta Omega currently has 80 chapters throughout the world and has more than 15,000 members from top echelons of graduate schools and programs of public health, as well as the public health community. Membership in Delta Omega reflects the dedication of an individual to increasing the quality of the field, as well as to the protection and advancement of the health of all people.  

2014 Chapter Initiates Include:

Master of Public Health Students

• Jackie Braspenninx (BSCH)
• Bianca Jarvis (BSCH)
• Emily McDonald (EPI)
• Susan Miller (PHA)
• Devan Petersen (PHA)

Public Health Faculty

• Dean Mohammad Torabi
• Dr. Michael Reece
• Dr. Catherine Sherwood-Laughlin
• Dr. Juhua Luo
• Dr. Nancy Ellis

Public Health Alumni

• Mary Boutain, MPH
• Gina Forrest, MPH
• Hannah Laughlin, MPH
• Sally Pelto-Wheeler, MPH
• Laurie Riggins, DPT
• Alex Purcell, BS
• Dawn Volungis, MPH

Honorary Member

• Dr. Edwin Marshall