Last but definitely not least, it is with very mixed feelings that we announce that Dr. Cindy Stone is retiring. Cindy has been part of DIP-IN since the beginning and has contributed in countless ways.
We are excited for her and wish her well in this next chapter, but we confess that she will be greatly missed. Luckily she will be continuing to work with us on some DIP-IN publications.
We wanted you to learn more about Cindy before letting her go, so we asked her a few questions.
How long have you been with the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health (FSPH)?
I have been with FSPH for the 11 years since we became a school. Before that I was in the IU School of Medicine Department of Public Health for six years and in the IU School of Nursing for 15 years for a total of 32 years on the IUPUI campus.
What role did you start in, and what role are you retiring from?
At FSPH I started as an associate professor and am retiring as a professor. Within the school I have been the director of the master of public health concentration in the health policy and management department for 16 years and for three years I was also the PhD director for that department.
Who inspired you to pursue the career you have today?
During my senior year at the University of Michigan, I was doing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. I had a clinical rotation for a semester at a city health department. I loved the variety of work and working out in the community. The clinical faculty member involved in that rotation also encouraged me to go to graduate school, which I would not have considered without her suggestion. Various positions I have experienced were due to my husband being transferred quite a bit at first before we came to Indiana.
How did you get connected with DIP-IN?
About six months before the project actually started Lisa Staten asked if I was interested in assisting. I had worked in all three of the neighborhoods on various projects either in the School of Nursing or FSPH over the years.
Why were you interested in DIP-IN?
I thought as a public health nurse I could contribute to the health education of the steering committee members and bring students into work on the project through my MPH capstone course.
Out of the three focus areas of DIP-IN (physical fitness, nutrition, and mental health) which do you feel your interests/expertise lie with the most?
I think my interest most aligns with the physical fitness as I have really been working on my own fitness the last few years. However, I am also working on my own nutrition so that fits as well.
What is your favorite DIP-IN memory?
My favorite DIP-IN memory is going to my first Sunday Supper in the Near Northwest neighborhood. Seeing everyone trying to double-dutch jump rope and eating very delicious and healthy food.
What do you think you’ll miss most when you retire?
I will definitely miss all the people involved, both the DIP-IN team as well as the steering committees.
What do you plan to do next?
I don’t have a lot of specific plans right now. My parents are still living in Michigan, and I will be going back to give my sister some caregiving breaks. I will combine these trips with two football games and field hockey games this fall. I took a sailing class this summer and watercolor painting class, so I want to try my hand at both of these activities too.