Dean's Office of Strategic Communications Team
Media Inquiry
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Katie Duffey, Executive Director
As executive director of communications, Katie Duffey is responsible for helping lead a team of communicators tasked with executing strategies designed to engage internal and external audiences—telling the stories and sharing the successes of work being done every day at the school. A Hoosier native, Katie returned to Indiana after graduating from Ohio University in 2005 with a degree in journalism. She previously worked as a reporter, page designer and editor in Indiana newsrooms before joining the strategic communications team at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2018.
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Lynn Boak, Communications Support Specialist
Lynn serves as the communications support specialist to the Office of Strategic Communications and Visual Media. Along with coordinating internal office operations, Lynn provides support for the development and implementation of communication initiatives that support IU School of Medicine’s strategic plan. Lynn holds a BA in anthropology from DePauw University.
Communications
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Sara Buckallew, Wells Center for Pediatric Research and Center for Diabetes and Metabolic DiseasesSara Buckallew is a communications coordinator for IU School of Medicine, where she supports the Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases and the Wells Center for Pediatric Research. She is a graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and holds a BA in journalism with a concentration in public relations and a certificate in communication studies. Sara happily resides in Fishers, Indiana with her husband and two dogs, Samantha and Fernando.
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Em Collins, Psychiatry and Radiology & Imaging SciencesHaving joined IU School of Medicine in 2016, Em uses a poetry and theatre background to help bridge the academic world with the creative. A graduate of University of Evansville, he works with faculty and academic staff to formulate unique, marketing ideas that engage the public with innovative research at IU School of Medicine. From writing stories on groundbreaking equipment to orchestrating digital marketing strategies, Em collaborates with experts across the school to help departments thrive in their marketing and communication ambitions.
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Christina Griffiths, Media Relations Coordinator and Communications Coordinator for OB-GYN and UrologyChristina Griffiths is a communications coordinator and media relations coordinator with the Office of Strategic Communications. She develops and implements internal and external strategic communications plans for the the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Urology. She also coordinates media relations efforts for the school, including promoting news about the school to media and scheduling interviews with faculty. Before joining IU School of Medicine, Christina worked as a producer for a local television station in Indianapolis where she won a regional Emmy for Best Weekend Newscast. She also spent time as a producer, reporter and anchor for a local television station in Tallahassee, Florida where she won a Florida Associated Press Award for Best General Assignment Reporting. Christina earned an M.A. in Media and Communication Studies from Florida State University and a B.A. in Journalism from DePaul University.
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Marco Gutierrez, Surgery and Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and EngineeringMarco Gutierrez is a communications coordinator for the Indiana University School of Medicine, where he supports the Department of Surgery and the Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering. Before joining the Office of Strategic Communications, Marco worked for 12 years as a public affairs specialist with the Army Reserve. He received his bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in public relations from the University of Indianapolis. Marco hopes to apply the work ethic and professionalism achieved during his time in the military to advance the goals of the IU School of Medicine.
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Caitlin VanOverberghe, Ophthalmology and Orthopaedic SurgeryCaitlin VanOverberghe is a communications coordinator for the Indiana University School of Medicine, where she supports the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Department of Ophthalmology. Having earned degrees in journalism and telecommunications from Ball State University, Caitlin worked for newspapers in Indiana and Michigan before joining the Office of Strategic Communications. Her goal is to use creative writing and marketing to effectively share stories about the important work happening within the school.
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Ben Middelkamp, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute and Otolaryngology
Ben Middelkamp is a communications coordinator for Indiana University School of Medicine, where he supports Stark Neurosciences Research Institute and the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. Before joining the Office of Strategic Communications in December 2019, Ben spent nearly six years as a newspaper reporter in two Indiana cities. Having earned a bachelor’s degree in Convergent Journalism from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2014, Ben enjoys translating his background in journalism to the communications and marketing needs of the school and its physicians and researchers.
Internal Communications
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Aryca Peay Woodson, Internal and Executive Communications Manager
Aryca is responsible for internal communications strategy development and implementation to support IU School of Medicine's strategic priorities. Aryca and a team of skilled communicators deliver essential information to engage faculty, learners and staff with the mission of the school. Prior to joining the strategic communications team in 2019, Aryca led a change management initiative for a national health care organization and worked as an internal communications consultant supporting employee engagement and change initiatives at several companies in Indianapolis. Aryca earned her bachelor's in management from Purdue University and her master's in public relations management from IUPUI.
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Laura Gates, Communications Consultant
Laura Gates is a communications consultant with Indiana University School of Medicine. Before joining the strategic communications team in January 2020, she was editor-in-chief of a lifestyle magazine in Estero, Florida. Laura is a native Hoosier who moved back to Indiana in 2018 after spending nine years in the Sunshine State. She holds a BA in journalism from Ball State University and brings 25 years of experience in the field of communications, working for newspapers, corporate clients and non-profit organizations.
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Susanna Scott, Communication Specialist - Medical Student Education
Susanna Scott is a communication specialist for Medical Student Education, providing support for undergraduate medical students across the state. She is a proud 2009 Butler graduate and studied journalism, French and biology. In 2011, she earned her graduate degree in public affairs, specializing in nonprofit management, from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Bloomington. Prior to joining the Office of Strategic Communication at IU School of Medicine, she served as the assistant director of development for the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and writer and content strategist for the precision genomics program. Susanna has been working toward her doctorate in health communication at IUPUI since 2015 and enjoys taking what she’s learned through her studies and applying it through her work.
Digital Marketing
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Chris Cline, Assistant Director of Digital MarketingChris is responsible for monitoring, reporting and providing direction on how Indiana University School of Medicine can extend its reach and impact through its digital marketing channels. Prior to joining IU School of Medicine in 2015 as a Web Analyst, Chris worked as an SEO Consultant for a local digital marketing agency. In this role he provided consulting services for some of the nation’s top brands and Fortune 500 companies. In 2005, Chris earned an undergraduate degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. Upon graduating, Chris spent the next decade owning and operating a photography and graphic design studio.
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Alyssa Geisler, Digital Content ManagerAlyssa joined the Office of Strategic Communications in 2019 as the digital content manager. She recently moved back to Indiana after 7 years in Utah, where she told stories about research, education and clinical care at Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah. She also served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Utahns Against Hunger. Alyssa holds a BA in public communications from American University.
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Jennifer Runser, Multimedia Communications SpecialistJennifer joined the Office of Strategic Communications as a multimedia communications specialist in 2018, and has more than five years of experience designing for and marketing to a wide range of audiences. She began her professional career as a graphic designer in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and later joined the staff of Salesforce developing and managing interactive training materials for Dreamforce. Jennifer is a storyteller with fearless curiosity. In her current role at IU School of Medicine, she directs design for digital, print, social media UX/UI, email and visual spaces.
Visual Media
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Tom Weinzerl, Visual Communications SpecialistAs part of the Office of Strategic Communications, Tom applies his medical illustration experience and his postgraduate training in instructional design and technology to help create clear, concise images from complex information in order to communicate health science information and research. Tom manages the IU School of Medicine Image Library which houses images of medical education, clinical expertise, research and facilities. He also manages brand compliance (logos and their applications) for the school to ensure that collateral and promotional products advance the school’s brand appropriately.
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Tim Yates, PhotographerTim is a graduate of Herron School of Art and holds a bachelor degree in fine arts with a major in visual communication. After graduating, he began working for the Indianapolis Center for Advanced Research (ICFAR) – an affiliate of IU, Purdue, City of Indianapolis and the Indy Chamber of Commerce – where he served as as a graphic designer, photographer and illustrator for seven years. He then began his own freelance design business in Indianapolis and spent a decade working with a variety of clients, including Howard S. Wilcox, Sease Gerig & Associates, Ivy Tech, Riley Children’s Foundation, Indianapolis Public Library and Fairbanks Hospital. Tim returned to IU as a graphic designer and photographer in the IU School of Medicine Office of Visual Media. In his current role, he works with faculty and departmental leaders to provide photography for communications and fundraising materials. He also served for three years as an adjunct professor teaching third- and- fourth-year medical students introduction to medical illustration, photography and Adobe Creative Suite.
Additional Communications Contacts
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Christine Drury, Research CommunicationsChristine Drury, associate director of research communications and marketing for IU School of Medicine, the IU Precision Health Initiative and the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, is focused on conveying the positive impact Indiana University, IU School of Medicine and its partners are having on the health of the state of Indiana through research. Prior to joining IU School of Medicine, Christine (formerly Van Marter) worked as the director of communications worldwide for Lilly Research and Development. Prior to Lilly, Christine worked as a television reporter in Indianapolis market. She is also a rare disease survivor and part of her story is featured in Dr. Atul Gawande’s book, Complications. Christine earned her bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Purdue University.
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Michael Schug, IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterMichael Schug, an award-winning communicator, is the communications manager at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. In this role, he promotes the important research generated by the nearly 240 research members of the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center – one of only 70 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers in the nation. He works with reporters as they develop stories for print, broadcast and social media outlets about the center’s research. He also develops content about the center, its programs and its researchers for internal IU communications channels. Schug is a member of the Public Affairs and Marketing Network (PAMN), which is composed of cancer centers designated by the NCI or that are members of the Association of American Cancer Institutes. He served on the PAMN steering committee for six years. He holds a BA in journalism from Franklin College and an MA in public relations from Ball State University.