At Indiana University School of Medicine, the Rural Health scholarly concentration offers students a unique opportunity to engage with rural communities while learning about the intersection of medicine and public health. Through hands-on research and tailored coursework, students gain insight into the behavioral and community health challenges that disproportionately affect rural populations.
Fast facts about the concentration
- Location: Terre Haute campus
- Co-directors: Robin Danek, PhD, MPH, and Ellen Ireland, PhD, MPH
Meet the co-directors
The Rural Health scholarly concentration is led by two public health experts with deep roots in rural health research and education.
Ellen Ireland, PhD, MPH, is a visiting lecturer in family medicine at IU School of Medicine—Terre Haute. Originally from a small town in Iowa, Ireland brings firsthand experience with rural health concerns. She has also mentored students through the Terre Haute campus’s Community Health Project (CHP), so she is familiar with the health concerns specific to the region. All of her community and behavioral health research has involved a rural focus, including agricultural waste exposure, radon in homes, local fish consumption and beliefs about invasive species.
“I’m most excited about the Rural and Agricultural Health course,” Ireland said. “I took a similar course once, and it was a much juicier topic than I had anticipated. Also, because there are fewer studies done in rural areas in general, I think it will give the students a real opportunity to be creative in selecting topics for their studies.”
Robin Danek, PhD, MPH, is a clinical assistant professor at IU School of Medicine—Terre Haute, where she has been a faculty member since 2012 and mentors students through their public health research projects. Her research experience spans a broad range of topics, including nutrition education, mental health and substance use in rural populations. Danek is particularly interested in improving access to mental health services and supporting rural physicians in addressing substance use disorders.
“I see the Rural Health scholarly concentration as an opportunity to broaden our reach even more by educating students more formally about the interplay between medicine and public health, especially as it relates to working with rural populations,” Danek said.
What students can expect
The co-directors emphasized that “rural” doesn’t mean “boring.” Students in the Rural Health concentration will participate in coursework and research that highlight the public health issues facing rural communities, which suffer from high rates of drug addiction, chronic disease and suicide. The program includes one-on-one mentorship and exposure to research fundamentals, with a strong emphasis on real-world application.
The academic and social culture at IU School of Medicine—Terre Haute is intimate and student-focused. With a smaller student body, learners receive extensive one-on-one time with instructors and mentors. This close-knit environment fosters meaningful relationships and allows students to dive deeply into their research and coursework.
The Terre Haute campus is home to the Rural Medical Education Program, which has built strong connections with rural practitioners and critical access hospitals across Indiana. The co-directors bring years of experience in community-based research and public health education, offering students personalized mentorship and guidance.
Is this the right fit?
The Rural Health concentration is ideal for students who are interested in working in rural areas, small towns or critical access hospitals. It’s also a great fit for those from rural backgrounds or anyone pursuing primary care, as rural patients are found in all healthcare settings, including urban hospitals and academic centers.
The concentration provides students with a strong foundation in public health and research methods. Students learn how rural living affects health outcomes and how public health principles can be applied to improve care in underserved areas. Those who want to understand the social determinants of health and how geography impacts access and outcomes will find this concentration especially rewarding.
Examples of student research
Many of the Rural Health scholarly concentration projects and products will mimic the CHP, a year-long, longitudinal public health project that IU School of Medicine—Terre Haute Rural Medical Education Program students must complete for graduation. For the scholarly concentration, students will conduct a truncated version of the CHP. Past projects have included investigations into the correlation between participants’ insurance status and emergency department visits for non-emergent reasons, as well as the relationship between breastfeeding success and postpartum depression.
