Dean's Office of Strategic Communications Team

The IU School of Medicine Dean’s Office of Strategic Communications manages internal and external communications, including public and media relations, marketing and branding. The team also oversees and provides training and support for digital platforms, including the website, social channels, email messaging and more.

Media Inquiry

To reach the media relations team at IU School of Medicine, please contact Christina Griffiths, media relations specialist, by phone at 317-671-3114 or by email with the link below.

Media Relations

  • 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.

    Email Katie Duffey

  • 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.

    Email Lynn Boak

Media Relations

  • Christina Griffiths, Media Relations Specialist

    Christina Griffiths is a media relations specialist with the Office of Strategic Communications. She 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 MA in Media and Communication Studies from Florida State University and a BA in Journalism from DePaul University.

    Email Christina Griffiths

Internal Communications

  • Teresa Dunn, Internal Communications Manager

    Teresa Dunn joined IU School of Medicine in November 2021 after serving as the Associate Director for the Integrated Program in the Environment at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Teresa is a graduate of Indiana University and received her master’s degree from IU in 2017. She’s a native Hoosier and lives in Brownsburg in an historic home with her fiancé, Mark, and their two dogs.

    Email Teresa

Research Communications

  • Andrea Zeek, Assistant Director of Research Communications

    Andrea Zeek is the assistant director of research communications for IU School of Medicine. In her role, Andrea works closely with the Executive Associate Dean for Research Affairs, researchers across the school, and her colleagues in the Office of Strategic Communications to elevate IU School of Medicine’s research reputation. Andrea first joined IU in 2012 and has held various communications roles throughout the university, including the Office of the Vice President for Communications and Marketing and the Office of the Vice President for Research. She has also worked as a science writer at the University of Iowa and as a newspaper reporter in Indiana. Andrea earned a master’s degree in journalism with a concentration in health and science communication from IU Bloomington and a bachelor’s degree in news-editorial journalism from Ball State University.

    Email Andrea Zeek

Editorial

  • Laura Gates, Senior Writer

    Laura Gates 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.

    Email Laura

Digital Marketing

  • Chris Cline, Assistant Director of Digital Marketing

    Chris 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.

    Email Chris Cline

  • Bailey England, Social Media Specialist

    Bailey England is the social media specialist at IU School of Medicine. Following her graduation from IU Bloomington, she kickstarted her career by honing her social media skills while working for IU Athletics. Since then, she has worked in marketing agencies and the direct-to-consumer space, managing impactful campaigns. With experience in social media marketing strategy, influencer campaign management and branded creative content development, she focuses on crafting meaningful social campaigns backed by data-driven insights.

    Email Bailey England

  • Alyssa Geisler, Content Manager

    Alyssa joined the Office of Strategic Communications in 2019 as the content manager. She moved back to Indiana after eight 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 and literature from American University.

    Email Alyssa Geisler

Visual Media

  • Brandon Van Hook, Graphic Designer

    Brandon is responsible for researching, strategizing, and designing print and interactive media, including ads, invitations, brochures, magazines, displays, digital signage, email communications, kiosks, websites, and more. Additionally, he coordinates vendors and stakeholders at the department, campus, and university level. Brandon has previous experience as a graphic designer and art director in higher education, commercial real estate, and marketing agency settings. Brandon joined Indiana University School of Medicine in 2022.

    Email Brandon Van Hook

  • Tim Yates, Photographer

    Tim 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.

    Email Tim Yates

Interview an IU School of Medicine Expert

Schedule an interview with an IU School of Medicine faculty member or receive material and resources about a specific area of medical research and education by contacting Christina Griffiths.

Email Christina Griffiths