A Year In Review: Fairbanks COVID-19 Research and Impact

Posted on February 3, 2021 by Adrianne Robertson

Dr. Paul K. Halverson, Founding Dean of the Fairbanks School of Public Health

When the coronavirus pandemic made its way to Indiana in March of last year, Dean Paul Halverson of the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health took immediate action to help with the response. Efforts led by him and researchers at Fairbanks have made an impact at the university, city and state levels, and have served as a guidepost for national leaders on COVID-19 emergency response.

Dean Halverson was asked to join IU’s executive leadership team under President Michael McRobbie’s direction that focused on incident management guidance for IU.

“We were happy to provide the public health perspective to IU as they began their quest to manage the current crisis, which ultimately resulted in our campuses closing.”

He has also worked closely with IU School of Medicine’s Dean Jay Hess and IU School of Public Health’s Dean David Allison on the university’s Restart Committee appointed by President McRobbie to provide public health guidance and medical direction for the university’s reopening.

In addition to serving the IU community, Dean Halverson and researchers at the Fairbanks School of Public Health have served as resident experts for local organizations. Dean Halverson’s team worked closely with IU Health to assist with their planning efforts for the impending national crisis.

“We created a modeling team, led by Dr. Brian Dixon and Thomas Duszynski, that focused on ultimately developing a model that could be used by hospitals, but also our public health colleagues to anticipate likely caseloads and resource needs,” said Dean Halverson, who was also joined on the team by Drs. Nir Menachemi, Constantin Yiannoutsos, and William Fadel.

Using an existing model for influenza from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a framework, the researchers built an Indiana-specific COVID-19 model.

“We used what we knew from other countries and earlier experiences in this country, Washington state most notably,” he said.

“We started working pretty collaboratively with the Indiana Hospital Association, offering webinars and assistance to all of the hospitals in the state related to doing modeling for their hospitals,” Dean Halverson said. “We also provided the state health department on a weekly basis with updated models for each of the ten preparedness districts.”

Citywide Impact and Contact Tracing

A Fairbanks Contact Tracer stands outside talking with a woman while holding a tablet, social distancing and wearing a mask. — Fairbanks contact tracers practice social distancing and wear masks when interacting with others while on the job.

The Indiana COVID-19 model opened the door for Fairbanks researchers to begin working with the Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) and Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the MCPHD, to provide forecasting and modeling for all of Marion County, its hospital systems and health department.

Under the leadership of Dr. Joshua Vest in the Center for Health Policy, the school provides continuing guidance to the MCPHD on matters such as reopening plans, guidance for k-12 schools and higher education institutions, and contact tracing.

As the need for contact tracing became more apparent, the MCPHD and city of Indianapolis asked to work with Fairbanks to implement contact tracing. Aiming to make contact with hard-to-reach populations within Indianapolis, the team – led by principle investigator Shandy Dearth – recognized that simply doing contact tracing by phone would not be effective.

“It was with that in mind that we entered into an agreement with the city of Indianapolis for about $10 million to actually hire up to 300 contact tracers and mount that effort,” Dean Halverson said. “My thanks to IU because they were very supportive. The people in human resources and finance, in particular, bent over backwards to accommodate our need to bring on a lot of people in a hurry to support this effort. We appreciate that.”

Statewide Prevalence Testing

Wanting to understand the potential for additional testing in Indiana, Governor Eric Holcomb also reached out to Fairbanks.

“We brought up the idea of developing randomized prevalence testing for the state where we proposed a model that would allow us determine how many people on a scientific basis actually had contracted the disease,” he said.

Within roughly three weeks’ time, the dean’s team received the governor’s buy-in and conducted the first randomized COVID-19 test.

“We were the first state in the country to actually conduct random sample testing – that’s a big deal,” Dean Halverson said. “We were the first to estimate the people who were not necessarily patients in hospitals, but who had the disease.”

Dean Halverson, Dr. Nir Menachem and Gov. Eric Holcomb gather around board table. — Dean Paul Halverson (right) and Dr. Nir Menachemi (middle) joined Governor Eric Holcomb (left) for several Governor’s Press Conferences to discuss the COVID-19 Prevalence Study.

The study’s first publication has aided greatly organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in their forecasting and estimating.

Phase three of the statewide prevalence study wrapped in mid-November and results have been released.

Advocacy for Vulnerable Populations

During the statewide testing initiative, Dean Halverson’s team advocated for testing in vulnerable populations. They worked collaboratively with churches and other faith based organizations to provide testing for more diverse populations.

“That’s one of the ways in which we discovered the disproportionate positivity of populations of color, many of whom fill the roles of essential workers,” Dean Halverson said. “That was really, really important for us – to document the disparities and to recognize the special needs of populations of color.”

Sign at an FSPH COVID-19 testing site — The Fairbanks School worked collaboratively with churches and other faith based organizations in Indiana to provide testing for more diverse populations.

Dean Halverson said his team recognizes the many ways in which people of color are disenfranchised or not benefitted by mainstream public health services and how important it is to improve health equity for all.

“Public health has always been focused on health equity, but we need to continue to focus on highlighting the importance of addressing disparities.”

Amidst the pandemic, social unrest within Black communities across the nation grew, and Indiana was no exception. What started as one national emergency, quickly escalated into multiple. After protests began in Indianapolis, a resolution was brought by the chairman of the Indianapolis City-County Council to designate racism as a public health emergency and Dean Halverson spoke in strong support of the resolution.

“The importance of the resolution is that it highlights the differences in life experience and the importance of closely keeping track of progress (or lack of progress) in addressing some of the disparities that we in public health care deeply about.”

Modernization of Public Health as a Whole

In the midst of a pandemic and national emergency, the nation is recognizing that there is a need for public health attention, funding and support. Dean Halverson said the pandemic points out the vulnerability of the public health system in this country, and specifically in Indiana, and how unprepared we’ve been.

“We’ve seen almost a 30 percent reduction in public health funding for emergency preparedness and response since 2001. This is a pattern. We have a national emergency, we invest in public health, everything is over and then we begin disinvesting and reducing our commitment to public health. And when something else arises, we are surprised that our system is not as prepared as it should be.”

In a new article published by Dr. Brian Dixon, Dean Halverson and Dr. Virginia Caine, the team suggests a new organization for public health that conceptualizes health in all policies and a long-term permanent commitment to public health by our policymakers.

The researchers wrote that while public health agencies were challenged when trying to coordinate efforts during the pandemic, the lack of integrated data and the inability to rapidly analyze the data contributed to the slow response to COVID-19.

“We do not have to reinvent the wheel; a framework to address these problems already exists,” said Dean Halverson. “The Public Health 3.0 model supports a transformation of our current public health system by developing multisector coalitions, integrating health into all policies and expanding the public health workforce.”

In addition to utilizing the structure of the Public Health 3.0 framework, the researchers call for advancing U.S. public health information systems by adopting the use of interoperable electronic health records with health care organizations.

In another report, Fairbanks researchers provide an actionable framework for improving public health in Indiana that includes four recommendations to improve the system’s capacity and effectiveness.

The report, “Indiana Public Health System Review,” was led by Paul Halverson, professor and founding dean of the Fairbanks School of Public Health, and Valerie Yeager, associate professor of health policy and management with the school. They designed the report to suggest recommendations for achieving better health for Hoosiers through a more robust public health system that ensures core public health services are provided to all communities.

“COVID-19 sounded the alarm for the shortcomings of our public health system,” Dean Halverson said.

“Indiana ranks 41st of the 50 states for overall health, which is the result of our public health system being chronically underfunded and undervalued. This is the first systemwide report that comprehensively covers a wide range of best practices for state and local health departments and steps for implementation.”

Looking Ahead

Dean Halverson and researchers at the Fairbanks School of Public Health continue to share their learnings and advice to other states and universities, participating in local media interviews, international panels and forums. They are involved in countless briefings and press conferences for the governor’s office, the state and county health departments, state medical society, and chamber of commerce.

The team plans to continue working closely with local leaders, as many of the school’s researchers are involved with the state’s vaccine planning efforts.

COVID-19 is still here – What can I do to prepare for spring courses?

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Adrianne Robertson

IUPUI students wearing a mask sit outside University Library. Physical-distancing guidelines were followed while capturing this photo. Photo taken Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

By Amanda Briggs

Because of COVID-19, school has looked different this year. We spoke with our Fairbanks School of Public Health Student Services team to understand how we can prepare for the spring semester. Through a Q&A, Rachel Forster, Amelia Hurt and Kayla Rinker share their advice for adapting to our unusual circumstances.

How can I make meaningful connections in my online courses?

Set a goal to keep your video open when you can. Seeing your classmates faces and their expressions will help you feel engaged and more connected. Everyone has occasional off days, but try to stay on screen when you can.

Don’t be shy! Utilize your instructor’s virtual office hours, and if none are posted reach out to schedule an appointment. This is also a great opportunity to loop in classmates to see if they want to attend a group session to ask questions. This will maximize your instructors’ time, help you connect with your class and get answers to questions you may not have thought of.

Lean in on your peers. Take comfort in the fact that you aren’t going through the semester alone. Just as you might utilize your instructor or TA office hours, consider creating virtual peer study groups for your courses. You have access to a Zoom account and can create recurring meetings to connect with your classmates to study. You might also consider a GroupMe chat for additional support.

How do I balance school, work, home and other demands?

Online learning is much more self-directed, and you may need to revamp your study habits. Your old schedule and even how you managed your time, may no longer be a good fit with your quarantine lifestyle. If you loved heading to your local coffee shop to prepare for a test, try sitting at your kitchen counter rather than your bed. Download a white noise app for your phone or try a classical music playlist on Spotify. This type of background noise has been shown to improve focus, creativity and productivity. Changing your environment, even if it is just where you sit can make a big difference.

Are you feeling pulled in a million directions? Trying to balance time with family along with everything else? Make a phone call. You might be wondering why you should call someone with all of the digital options available, but sometimes old school does the trick. Just hearing someone’s voice can improve your mood. Call your grandparents, they would love to hear from you. If you live on-campus this semester, call your parents, a family member or a friend. Asking someone how they’re doing and redirecting the focus to them can help you feel refreshed and ready to tackle your next task.

What day-to-day habits should I create for a better semester?

On Sunday, write a daily affirmation for each day of the week on sticky notes. Put that sticky note on your mirror, in your car, on the fridge (somewhere visible that you will see it) the night before and then read the affirmation before going to class or work. Or, if you prefer, download a daily affirmation app and set a reminder for it to pop-up every morning. Some app recommendations are ThinkUp, Shine and Happify, just to name a few.

With screen time increasing this semester, think about getting a pair of screen glare glasses to help reduce eye strain and even get a better night’s rest.

Trying to keep your hands clean even when you aren’t near a sink and soap? Along with your hand sanitizer, think about adding hand-sanitizing wipes to your stash.

Or if you want to avoid touching surfaces during COVID, get a no-touch door opener. It can hook to your backpack, keychains or purse strap and lets you open doors, press elevator keys and mostly anything you touch without contaminating your hands.

What steps can I take to prepare for my career?

Networking may seem impossible during the pandemic, but don’t get stuck thinking those face-to-face events are your only option. The virtual world has expanded our reach and most professionals and employers have pivoted quickly to find ways to connect virtually with students for networking, interviews, and internships.

FSPH students should set a goal of connecting with at least one alumnus each semester through the Alumni Career Connections program. This is your opportunity to network, find a mentor, or take a deeper dive into career exploration. Additionally, focusing on your LinkedIn account, whether it’s creating one or giving it a refresh, should be on everyone’s to-do list. The Career and Professional Development office is open to reviewing your account just like we review your resume!

Where can I find resources for mental health?

Remember to practice self-care and stay mindful of your mood and emotions! Prioritizing rest, fresh air, connecting with friends or family, and even taking a break to watch funny pet videos (we all need a laugh) will go a long way towards maintaining a healthy physical and mental state.

Most importantly reach out and seek help if needed. IUPUI Students can take advantage of resources through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which provides a variety of counseling and mental health services. Additional campus and community resources are available through the IUPUI Virtual Care Package.

You also might find these online support groups helpful.

Is there anything else I can do?

Establish a routine. While online learning offers some flexibility, having a regular routine helps you stay focused and on task. Treat your day like you’re going to campus. Set an alarm, wake up, and get dressed. A productive day starts with a productive morning routine.

Consider setting “school” hours. What specific times do you want to focus on your online coursework? Do you have synchronous online meeting times? Set them and add them to your phone calendar or planner to stay organized. Be sure to establish break times away from your computer, too. Your brain will thank you. If you need additional support with time management, check out Bepko Learning Center’s time management resources.

Does your brain feel like it has a hundred tabs open like your computer? While multitasking may serve you well in other parts of your life, it can be overwhelming when learning. Take one thing at a time. Create a daily to-do list and prioritize your tasks. Keep it near your learning space to keep you focused.

It’s important to remember to give yourself a break away from technology, social media, the news, etc. Take a few minutes to go for a walk; if you have a pet take this time to play with them; read a non-academic book or take a 30-minute nap if you need to.

Fairbanks Brings Bicentennial Campaign to a Close

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Adrianne Robertson

By Crystal Jones

In October, Indiana University announced the closing of For All: The Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign. Raising nearly $3.9 billion, this campaign was faithfully supported by our alumni, faculty, staff, faculty emeriti and many stakeholders. The Fairbanks School of Public Health closed the campaign with $16,938,671 in support of FSPH students, faculty, research and programs. This is an astonishing $6.9 million over the school’s $10 million goal!

IU Medal with trident and years 1820-2020 — Photo Credit: Bicentennial Final Report

During the For All Campaign, FSPH donors helped establish nine new scholarships for our school, including a multi-donor scholarship account, which provides multiple scholarships each year to students. Thank you to every donor who participated in one of the many giving opportunities at FSPH to support student scholarships. The 2020 scholarship recipients will be featured on our social media pages and FSPH blog throughout the month of December. We are so proud of this group!

In addition to scholarships, the school now has ten foundation accounts that support each department, several programs, and two future lecture series. These funds will help sustain faculty excellence, enable student success, and create global leaders for the Fairbanks family’s future generations.

Corporations and foundations also responded overwhelmingly to our research efforts. Grants from several organizations helped provide research on important issues such as tobacco, diabetes, and maternal and child health. And unrestricted funds allowed us to pursue public health projects that impact our community in real-time, like the COVID-19 forecasting and modeling support that has been provided to hospitals and public health departments throughout Indiana.

Most importantly, the friendships made during the For All campaign will last a lifetime. As the lead staff on this effort, some of my favorite memories include the first scholarship and alumni award luncheon for our school. I remember standing in the back of the room, with a heart full of gratefulness, watching our students interact with the donors and alumni who supported them. Another favorite was our last large event in October 2019, when we gathered to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Masters of Healthcare Administration program. The evening was filled with joy, reconnecting with alumni from each decade while launching the next generation of students into the future.

For all you have made possible, thank you.

Crystal Jones, CFRE
Director of Development & Alumni Relations

Alumna Shares Journey to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Triple-Deployment

Posted on December 3, 2020 by Adrianne Robertson

Allison Miller, FSPH Alumna (BS’15, MPH’17)

By Crystal Jones

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Allison Miller, BS’15, MPH’17, has participated in three separate deployments for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In each position, she has relied on the education she received through the MPH in Epidemiology program at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health and experience she gained during an internship at the Indiana State Department of Health.

Miller learned about the MPH program at Fairbanks after completing her biology degree on the Indiana University Bloomington campus.

“During my undergraduate program, I ended up taking a human diseases and epidemiology class and another public health class, and I enjoyed both.” In each class, she enjoyed learning about infectious diseases and their progression in the modern world, such as influenza, which led her to apply for the MPH program at Fairbanks.

“As a student, I made lifelong friends because while the epidemiology program was the largest program at FSPH, it is still small enough to make real connections with other students and faculty.”

In addition to the connections she made with the Fairbanks family, Miller says she believes her education is comparable, if not better, than educations received by her peers at larger schools of public health.

“My concentration was in epidemiology, but I received a well-rounded education in public health. I have very strong statistic skills and data management skills, as well as familiarity with environmental health. Every single class was different; I was learning a lot of new things.”

During her time as a student, Miller worked part-time as an intern on the IU Student Enteric Response Team at the Indiana State Department of Health. She now works on the National Outbreak Reporting System for the CDC as the Epidemiologist and Data Manager for waterborne disease outbreaks.

“My internship gave me the experience I needed from a user endpoint to help me in my role today. I had an offer for my ORISE Fellowship at CDC one month after I graduated, and I am now a full-time employee for CDC.”

During Miller’s time at the CDC, she has been deployed three times. She worked as a coordinator for field teams doing initial investigations for some of the first US cases of COVID-19 and coordinated data related to the outbreak. At that point, it was still very early, and very few cases.

In this role, she gained experience understanding how to effectively mitigate the spread and how the plans needed to change as community spread increased. Miller’s second deployment was for coordinating teams of CDC employees conducting special studies looking at how the outbreak has impacted special populations. In her third deployment, she was a part of the clinical team conducting the data analysis and management as part of a pediatric mortality study related to COVID-19. The study was published in September.

While Miller is proud of the work she is doing at CDC, she believes that all jobs in the public health field are essential. “No jobs in this pandemic are insignificant. There are many great public health organizations throughout the United States’ health departments and nonprofits doing public health work. Everything that everyone is doing is so vital to public health prevention and mitigation.”

Throughout the pandemic and her career, Miller has constantly reminded herself about advice she once received in a data management class at Fairbanks.

“The advice I come back to daily is that every single number I am looking at is a person. And I use that perspective to help remember why I am doing this work and why it is important. These are not just numbers in a spreadsheet, a database, or a headline. These are human beings.”

A Letter to Our Alumni, Partners and Friends on Giving Tuesday

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Adrianne Robertson

By Elizabeth Bowman, FSPH Alumni Board President

Last year, the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health Alumni Board worked alongside the alumni community to launch the FSPH Alumni Board Scholarship to support the 47% of first-generation college students who attend FSPH.

Gifts to the scholarship provide financial support for students, such as Kaley Liang, a 2020 Scholarship recipient, who applied for the scholarship when she learned that her employment as a server in a restaurant would end due to the restaurant’s closure from losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many FSPH students, Kaley relies on the income she earns to help support the pursuit of her degree.

For those of you who stepped up to help us launch the scholarship, we cannot thank you enough for your much-needed support and the critical gap it filled for FSPH students in 2020, and this is exactly why we created this fund.

My friend and fellow board member, Gary Brumitt, was leading the FSPH Alumni Board when we started this scholarship fund and during our discussions about how best to support the school, he often shared he wouldn’t have had as many career opportunities had it not been for the Fairbanks School of Public Health.

Many of us in the alumni community feel this way. In fact, current scholarship recipient, Tyler Cunningham who is expected to graduate in December 2020 shared how meaningful the scholarship is to him and how it has inspired him to give back when he is able.

Cunningham shared, “I really do value the scholarship and I was very happy to be selected. I’m grateful to be a part of Fairbanks and have alumni that care. I think FSPH alumni give back to the school, because from my perspective, things have really turned out well for me. I’ve gotten what people go to college for. I’ve received the tools and skills to get a career. When I am an alumnus, if I am capable, I’m going to give back as well. Plus, school pride as well, IUPUI is awesome.”

Today, on behalf of the alumni board, I thank you for your contributions to the FSPH Alumni Board Scholarship. We believe that each scholarship will support the next generation of public health and health administration leaders who will carry us through our next great challenge. To show our commitment, the FSPH alumni board has pledged to commit $1,500 to match all gifts made between Giving Tuesday and 12/31/2020. To join us in our support of FSPH students, visit our online giving page.

Thank you for your consideration. Over the past few months, we have recognized just how exceptional FSPH graduates are, as our community works together to provide Indiana Hoosiers information they can rely on and data that is meaningful during the COVID-19 response. And, we know that we can count on you to continue providing scholarships to students passionate about a future in public health and health administration.

Thank you for all you do to improve the health of Indiana and support FSPH students.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Bowman, MPH’14
FSPH Alumni Board President

Fairbanks Announces 2020 Alumni Award Winners

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Adrianne Robertson

Each year, the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health Alumni Board calls for nominations of alumni for the Early Careerist and Distinguished Alumni Awards.

In 2014, the alumni board established the awards to recognize alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers or service to the school. FSPH believes that great organizations intentionally reinforce their success by highlighting and celebrating individual accomplishments to help light a path for others to follow.

We believe that each alumni recipient will share their stories with our students and build a shared history and culture for future generations of alumni to follow. As a school of public health dedicated to the pursuit of improved health for all, there are no better success stories to highlight than those who go out into the world and make a difference.

And in a year unlike any other, we wish we could recognize all of our alumni for their leadership in the COVID-19 response efforts within health departments, emergency response teams, and hospital systems.

This year has stretched many of our alumni with workloads and experiences never faced before and there are still challenges ahead of us. In this moment, however, we invite you to join us in celebrating how far we’ve come.

Today, we honor Kara Winterstein, BS’12, MHA’15 as the recipient of the 2020 Early Careerist Award and Dr. Barbara Van Der Pol, BS’81,MPH’01, PhD’07 as the recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award. Thank you for all you do. We recognize how the FSPH alumni community contributions have inspired and protected so many of us during 2020. Thank you.

Dean Paul Halverson will be helping the FSPH Alumni Board recognize our recipients for their outstanding careers and accomplishments. Congratulations, Kara Winterstein and Dr. Barbara Van Der Pol. You make our alumni community proud!

Learn more about the alumni community and how to get involved on our website.

Ask the Experts: How Can I Have a Safe Holiday?

Posted on October 29, 2020 by amanbrig

By Amanda Briggs

Because of COVID-19, our holidays are going to look a little different this year. We spoke with Fairbanks School of Public Health epidemiologists Shandy Dearth, MPH, Thomas Duszynski, MPH, and Andrea Janota, MPH, to understand how we can ensure a safe holiday for ourselves and our family and friends.

Holiday celebration with friends and family on Zoom and seasonal decorations by the computer.

Can I visit family this year?
With increased cases across the country, it is best to stay within your own household this holiday season. We encourage you to think about who you may be visiting and any increased risks family members may have due to their age or chronic conditions such as diabetes. You may decide it is better to forego spending time with family this holiday season so that you can have more celebrations with them in the future.

If you are going to travel to visit family and friends, make sure you have a plan in place prior to leaving and share that plan with everyone you want to visit. However, we do not recommend traveling this year and it could be helpful for you to normalize this among your family and friends.

Use the 2020 holiday season as a unique opportunity for something new and different! If you live with roommates, stay home and have a Friendsgiving. Young people in particular may feel some anxiety about being away from family at the holidays for the first time or uneasy about not knowing how to prepare a full turkey dinner. Try your hand at cooking your favorite sides or choose something totally untraditional! Either way your quarantine Thanksgiving will be especially memorable.

If I decide to visit family, what can I do to ensure their safety?
Try to meet with them outdoors. Obviously, this is easier to do if you are traveling somewhere with warmer weather, but we encourage you to see if that is an option first. Maybe it is a chance to have that relative who never does the cooking (but lives south) take the lead this year.

Make a commitment as a family to do your best to quarantine for the 14 days leading up to your visit. This will help you to reduce the chance of arriving on your grandparents’ porch with more than just your famous green bean casserole. Take hand sanitizer with you. It can be a nice gift for the host. Also, get your flu shot now, so your immunity is intact before the holidays. You don’t want to take them influenza either – that isn’t a great present. It is essential to maintain physical distancing while eating, since you won’t be wearing a mask.

Keep in mind that others in your community, particularly elderly neighbors, may not be able to see their families this year. Consider preparing a dish for them and delivering it in a way that limits person-to-person contact.

What is the safest way to travel for the holidays?
Drive if possible. Plan your route so that if it is a long drive, you have snacks or options for a healthy drive thru meal. We know many cases have reported being inside restaurants and bars, and you don’t want to pick up something on your trip to take to your relatives’ home. Although airlines are now requiring masks, you are still around a lot of people (and potential sources of infection) in airports while waiting for your flight. Some recent studies show there is little transmission on actual flights as long as everyone wears as mask, but you are still around fewer people in your car.

Is it safe to visit family who live out of state?
Some states definitely have higher rates than others, but the most important thing to keep in mind is how separated you can keep yourself from others while you travel to see family and if you can spend time with your family outdoors. Maybe opt for a hike or visit a pumpkin patch or tree farm. Crowded activities like Black Friday shopping pose a higher risk for transmission. If you are out and the store is particularly busy, leave and come back later. Better yet, take your shopping online instead. Whatever you do, wear a mask and practice good hand hygiene.

What is your advice if family see the risks differently than me?
Set a good example by wearing your mask when you are indoors with others and emphasize the need to protect the elderly and compromised loved ones at your gathering. You don’t have to focus on the virus, you can talk about the risk factors and how important it is to keep everyone safe so that we can have a closer visit next year.

If I decide to not visit family, how can I still connect with family and friends?
Send your family member a care package of cookies or some other special treat made with a family recipe. Set up a designated time to Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime with your family from afar so they can join you at the dinner table while everyone else is around. Or if you insist on hosting and having people over, stagger the times when people arrive and share a meal. Maybe grandma and grandpa can arrive and eat first with a small group of family and then leave before the next group of family arrives.

We know it isn’t quite the same as celebrating with everyone, but this holiday season requires some creativity and flexibility, just like the rest of 2020. And know that these changes won’t have to be forever. One day we can all gather around the family dinner table and argue with each other about who the favorite grandkid is as usual.

Make a plan, wear a mask, practice physical distancing, and remember to wash your hands frequently.

If you are experiencing any signs or symptoms, please stay home and contact your provider.

Happy Holidays!

Researcher Receives Grant to Study Impact of COVID-19 on Indiana Firefighters

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Adrianne Robertson

Dr. Carolyn Muegge, FSPH Alumna

By Adrianne Robertson

Carolyn Muegge, who recently earned her PhD in Epidemiology from the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health and is a research scientist at the National Institute for Public Safety Health, has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to study the prevalence and impact of COVID-19 on Indiana firefighters.

Dr. Muegge is co-investigator on the project, which aims to enhance the occupational health and safety of firefighters by understanding the nature and scope of COVID-19 in this occupational group.

The study’s results will be used to generate best practice guidelines to reduce firefighters’ risk for developing communicable diseases, and ultimately allow them to continue providing essential first-responder services during a pandemic.

Nearly 1700 firefighters from randomly selected large-, medium-, and small-sized fire departments will be recruited for COVID-19 antibodies testing during the study period. A phlebotomist will then travel to selected fire houses to draw blood specimens for analysis.

To track any changes in COVID-19 antibody measures that may occur as a result of being exposed to the virus or receiving a vaccination, participating firefighters will receive follow-up testing during their annual physical examinations occurring within 12 and 24-months after their initial test. Depression and anxiety questionnaires will also be completed by the firefighters at each data collection time period.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be linked with the firefighters’ existing physical examination dataset to allow comparisons of the following:

clinical, laboratory, fitness and health behavioral characteristics (i.e. depression and anxiety) of firefighters who were infected and not infected with the virus,
firefighters infected with and without symptoms,
and firefighters with and without serious health outcomes or complications.

The resource guide that will be developed and disseminated following the study will include existing guidelines, the study’s results, and input from an expert advisory group.

To learn more about this study or Dr. Muegge’s first responder research, visit the NIPSH website.

Navigating Postpartum During a Pandemic: Staff Shares Her Story

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Adrianne Robertson

By Adrianne Robertson

Any’e Carson, ECHO Program Coordinator, with daughter Avianna

As with most of us, 2020 has been a year of major transition for Any’e Carson, ECHO Program Coordinator within the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health ECHO Center. Late last year, life changed for Carson when she found out she was expecting a baby girl who would arrive in May 2020.

While navigating pregnancy and mom life for the first time has been a challenge, Carson has found ways to thrive in her new normal. When she returned to work following her maternity leave, she helped her team launch a new virtual program that provides training to health professionals treating COVID-19, all while learning the ins and outs of motherhood and adjusting to life during a pandemic.

We sat down with Carson to hear her story and learn just how she’s managing it all.

Pregnant During a Pandemic

“Once the first case was confirmed in Marion County, I began to worry about what would happen to my baby if I contracted COVID-19,” Carson said. “There wasn’t much information out about [its impact on] pregnant women at the time.”

Fortunately, soon after the first coronavirus case was reported in Indiana, Carson would have the opportunity to work from home.

“By the first or second week in March, IU campuses closed and we were advised to work remotely. I was happy to be at home. I knew I could continue all of my responsibilities, so I didn’t have an issue with it.”

While the pandemic didn’t severely alter Carson’s work life, it did affect her pregnancy plans quite a bit.

“I didn’t have a baby shower, and with it being my first pregnancy, not having a baby shower was disappointing,” Carson said. “I also didn’t do professional pregnancy photos or have newborn photos.”

With the challenges, however, Carson said her mom has been such a big support. She helped Carson take maternity photos, as well as organize her registry and electronic thank you notes.

“My baby ended up very blessed and I’m grateful for the gifts she received.”

Postpartum During a Pandemic

The ECHO Center was still operating remotely when Carson’s maternity leave ended, allowing her to stay home longer with her daughter and transition at her own pace.

“I did not want to put my daughter in child care, and at the time I was returning to work, many daycares were still closed or had an even longer waitlist,” Carson said. “The transition back to work was a little rough…like I would mess up something or forget systems I had in place to do my job, but after the second full week back, I felt more in a groove.”

Today, Carson is still working from home while caring for her daughter, Avianna, who is now five months old. And she believes her new-mom schedule pairs well with her work schedule.

“I’m an early bird, so it’s easier for me to get to work around 7am because all I have to do is get out of the bed. I try to keep the same routines and deadlines as I had in the office.”

In response to the pandemic, Carson helped her team launch a new ECHO dedicated to COVID-19, an effort that required longer hours than usual.

“I did find work hours longer when I was helping to launch the COVID-19 ECHO. Now that the program is on a regular schedule, I work behind the scenes organizing content speakers and recruiting patient cases for the group to discuss.”

In her role, Carson executes multiple initiatives for the ECHO Center’s teleECHO programs, which offer virtual collaborative learning for primary care providers treating patients who identify as LGBTQ+, as well as those with conditions such as Hepatitis C (HCV), HIV, cancer, pain management, and COVID-19.

“In any given week, I’m building relationships among our participants, arranging content for upcoming sessions, and reporting program metrics. Other ECHOs I coordinate are the HIV ECHO and Cancer ECHO program, which launches year two in October.”

Peace During a Pandemic

How she manages it all? Carson credits her support system, and encourages other new moms to not only do the same, but also figure out ways to maintain that system.

“I have such a strong support system and am grateful to talk with my mom and friends about challenges,” she said. “I downloaded an app called Peanut where I could connect with women at different stages in life, and that helped me see that I wasn’t the only one anxious about the pandemic. There’s also Facebook groups where moms have a space to vent to one another.”

Carson makes an effort to prioritize self-care, another practice she strongly suggests for new moms. She enjoys exercising, cooking new foods, watching her favorite shows, and having DIY spa days.

“I recently launched a blog and am working on a podcast – so that has been my recent hobby. I also enjoy date nights like game night, painting, and movie night with my husband.”

Above all, Carson believes it is most important for new moms to follow the public health precautions that have been given.

“Ultimately, follow precautions and take care of your health. I still avoid crowds and still do grocery-pickup. And when your baby is born, stand your ground about people following precautions that would like to see the baby.”

Carson said there are still family members who have not seen her daughter because of COVID-19.

“For women who are pregnant or trying to conceive, always remember to take your prenatal vitamins. Particularly for Black women, please seek prenatal care as soon as you can and with a medical team you are comfortable with.”

Carson is settling in to her new normal and finding ways to enjoy the changes along the way, like her daughter’s budding personality.

“She’s entering a phase where she is expressive and silly. I love how happy she gets when she sees me after waking up.”

To learn more about programs offered by the ECHO Center at Fairbanks, visit our website.

Pandemic Leads MPH Student to a Remote Internship Like None Other

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Adrianne Robertson

By Crystal Jones

Afsah Amin is pursuing a Masters of Public Health in epidemiology and plans to graduate in December of 2021. She immigrated from Pakistan after receiving her medical training as an anesthesiologist and decided to transition from a clinical role to a research scientist role to impact more people. As she was making this decision, her mentors encouraged her to pursue a masters of public health to brush up on skills related to clinical research.

Amin was impressed with the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health after speaking with Sue Hancock, a member of the student services team who helped make the process easy. As she progressed through the program, she looked at the traditional internship options available, but none of the ones she identified spoke to her.

“I was interested in understanding real-world evidence generation, which is something that I knew an internship at Eli Lilly could provide,” she said. Amin then spoke with an alumni board member, Megan Klopchin, who works at Eli Lilly and Company as a Consultant in Policy Research in the Global Patient Outcomes & Real World Evidence (RWE) Department. Klopchin connected Amin to a few scientists on the Lilly team who agreed to serve as preceptors. “Lilly has an ongoing relationship with Fairbanks and hosting an intern from the school was an exciting opportunity to continue to strength it.”

The collaboration between Amin, Klopchin, and the Lilly Scientists led to the creation of an academic science internship experience for Amin, unlike any other. The internship was developed around her specific skillset and the goals that she was hoping to achieve.

“The experience of working in a multi-functional team and leading those projects with experienced and expert members was very exciting,” Amin said. “It was a collaborative environment and a unique experience to gain everyone’s perspective when creating a research study. The assessment of databases in the RWE department helped me understand the availability and uniqueness of the type of data generated from insurance claim databases.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Amin had set a goal to connect with professionals at Lilly and interact with them in a meaningful way. When the epidemic occurred, Amin was told she would have to complete the internship remotely. She worried that remote learning, coupled with her lack of experience in real world evidence would impact her ability to make meaningful connections with her colleagues. However, after Lilly’s workforce all shifted remotely, she found that the pandemic would not affect her ability to gain immense value from the internship and that individuals had more time to spend with her.

“My learning was not impacted as much as I worried. I still had meetings with my preceptors, and I gained experience collaborating with Microsoft teams. This allowed me to collaborate on projects at the same time as team members. Everyone was very accessible, more so than I believe they would have been if travel restrictions were not in place.”

Klopchin believes that Amin excelled because of her passion to help patients and robust technical skills in public health and encourages other organizations to host interns despite concerns around remote internships. Likewise, Amin encourages students to be very agile and open to evolving their internship experiences during this challenging time.

Employers and students interested in learning more about internship experiences through the Fairbanks School of Public Health should contact Amelia Hurt at amehurt@iu.edu or 317-278-8415.