Global health initiative names new program manager

Rishika Chauhan (O’Brien), MPA, has joined the Indiana University Center for Global Health as program manager for the Indiana Clinical and Translational Science’s (CTSI) Global Health Innovation Exchange Program. In this role, Chauhan will develop a statewide program to allow people in Indiana and across the globe to benefit from global health research conducted by CTSI member institutions (Indiana University, University of Notre Dame and Purdue University) and their partners in low- and middle-income countries.

Among Chauhan’s initial tasks will be the development of a prioritized agenda for the Indiana CTSI’s global health reciprocal innovation programs. Reciprocal innovation in global health research is a collaborative process to exchange lessons learned and co-develop technology and health innovations with mutual benefit to health partners in both low- and middle-income countries and the United States. An example of reciprocal innovation is the WeCare Indiana project that applies a package of community-based health interventions, such as community health worker outreach and text message support for new mothers, that was first developed in Kenya to help reduce infant mortality in Indiana.

This agenda-setting process will bring together the Indiana CTSI’s health partners from across the state to identify and prioritize the health challenges and innovation opportunities that reciprocal innovation could address in Indiana. The goal is to identify high quality innovations from global health partnerships for demonstration, replication and dissemination through the Indiana CTSI’s statewide system. Chauhan’s efforts will help establish an online registry of global health innovations and aid in the expansion of the WeCare Indiana program.

Chauhan will also coordinate the process for global health awards which the IU Center for Global Health and Indiana CTSI have been awarding since 2016.

“I look forward to working with global health leaders throughout the state and world to improve lives in Indiana and beyond,” said Chauhan.

Chauhan previously directed the Indiana Cancer Consortium, where she led statewide and regional cancer control initiatives. She earned her master’s degree in public administration—nonprofit management from IUPUI and her BS in business from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in Bloomington.

“Rish’s background working with a variety of stakeholders to improve health outcomes make her well-suited to lead the development of the Global Health Innovation Exchange,” said David Plater, associate director of research for the IU Center for Global Health. “We look forward to seeing this program thrive under her leadership.”