The views expressed in this content represent the perspective and opinions of the author and may or may not represent the position of Indiana University School of Medicine.
Laura Gates
Laura is a senior writer with the Office of Strategic Communications. A native Hoosier, she has 25 years of experience in communications, having worked with newspapers and other media organizations in Indiana and Florida, along with small businesses, community groups and non-profit organizations. Before joining IU School of Medicine in January 2020, she was editor-in-chief of a lifestyle magazine serving the community of Estero, Florida.
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Celebrating Excellence: IU School of Medicine student solves her own mystery illness
In 2019, Dana Mitchell, a fourth-year medical student at IU School of Medicine, was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis—a brain inflammation that wreaks neurological havoc. In search of a therapy that would provide lasting relief of her debilitating symptoms, Mitchell reviewed 40 years-worth of research—and discovered a drug combination, not previously used in this disease, that worked to restore her health. She exemplifies the spirit of excellence, an IU School of Medicine core value.
Laura Gates | Oct 26, 2021
Black patients play key role in advancing breast cancer research
Community advocates are partnering with Indiana University School of Medicine to spread the word about the importance of including Black women in clinical research for breast cancer as researchers affiliated with the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research are studying how treatments can be tailored for people of different ethnicities to fight breast cancer more effectively and with fewer side effects.
Laura Gates | Oct 25, 2021
'Whac-a-Mole' clinical trial participant experiences remission of Stage 4 triple negative breast cancer
Jenny Larner Brown dreams of a day when no one would ever hear their oncologist say, "We're out of options." It's now been more than two years since Brown learned she had deadly Stage 4 triple negative breast cancer. She remains in remission today, thanks to her participation in an IU School of Medicine clinical trial called "Whac-a-Mole."
Laura Gates | Oct 19, 2021
IU School of Medicine celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month: Hurricane thrusts med student onto new path
Second-year medical student Doriann Alcaide Amador shares how Hurricane Maria redirected her from Puerto Rico to New York and, ultimately, to Indiana University School of Medicine. This is the final installment in a series of blog posts celebrating the Hispanic heritages of IU School of Medicine students.
Laura Gates | Oct 13, 2021
IU School of Medicine celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month: Latino Medical Student Association president shares immigration experiences
Fourth-year medical student Alejandro Bolivar shares his experiences immigrating from Venezuela and finding his "familia" at Indiana University School of Medicine. This is the second installment in a series of blog posts celebrating the Hispanic heritages of IU School of Medicine students.
Laura Gates | Oct 08, 2021
IU School of Medicine celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month: MD student learns resilience from her Puerto Rican family
For Rebecca Zapf-Pedraza, Class of 2022, resilience has been passed down through the generations. This is the first installment in a series of blog posts celebrating the Hispanic heritages of Indiana University School of Medicine students. For Hispanic Heritage Month, Zapf-Pedraza is hosting an intersectional event for members of the Student Alliance and Latino Medical Student Association.
Laura Gates | Sep 30, 2021
Compassion-fueled excellence drives IU School of Medicine brain injury expert’s research, advocacy
Flora Hammond, MD, is world-renowned for leading the initiative to recognize traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a chronic condition with gains in recovery possible many years post-injury. Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at IU School of Medicine, Hammond is inspired by the model of her parents, living out the values they instilled: "Care for others and always do your best." Hammond's colleagues say she is a trailblazer in the field of TBI who is brilliant, dedicated and compassionate.
Laura Gates | Sep 15, 2021
IU School of Medicine admissions director provides compassionate guidance to applicants from underrepresented communities
Under Karen Smartt’s leadership toward implementing IU School of Medicine’s recruitment goals, underrepresented in medicine (URM) admissions have gone from 8 percent to 23 percent. Smartt, who has been in admissions at IU School of Medicine since 1999, has developed a strong and effective outreach program to stimulate the interest of underrepresented undergraduate applicants within the state of Indiana and nationally.
Laura Gates | Sep 10, 2021
2021 Physician Mentor of the Year shares food, stories and encouragement with med student mentees
Yung Nguyen, MD, MBA, has been named 2021 Physician Mentor of the Year. As part of IU School of Medicine’s Physician Mentor Program, every incoming medical student is assigned to a physician mentor who acts as a support person throughout all four years of medical school. A self-described “foodie,” Nguyen treats mentees to dinner and discusses life issues. IU School of Medicine is seeking physician mentors for incoming medical students.
Laura Gates | Jul 27, 2021
IU School of Medicine-Evansville anchors innovative health care hub in Southwest Indiana
Evansville has become a model for how to grow a health care community. In less than a decade, the region’s competing universities, major health systems and business leaders have united around a common vision and secured funding to open a world-class health sciences center in the heart of Southwest Indiana.
Laura Gates | Jul 16, 2021