Student and faculty member’s wide-reaching impact lauded by Indiana Public Health Association

Last month the Indiana Public Health Association (IPHA) recognized two members of the SPH-B community for their statewide contributions to the field of public health. Jacob Otile, M.D., an M.P.H. student in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, received the Most Outstanding Public Health Student of the Year for 2024; and Jordan McIntire, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor in the Department of Health & Wellness Design, received the Public Health Impact Award.

Dr. Otile has been a force for positive change in his relatively short time at the school. A medical doctor from Uganda, Dr. Otile is a graduate assistant, serves on the Hoosier Sport research team and IPHA Student Advisory Group, and is chair of the Graduate Professional Student Government (GPSG) Health and Wellness Committee.

"Dr. Otile has consistently demonstrated a commitment to learning and personal growth," shares Kathleen Sobiech, Ph.D., director of the M.P.H. program and the person responsible for Dr. Otile’s nomination. "His enthusiasm for engaging with diverse communities and embracing news activities is truly commendable. He never misses an opportunity to ask questions, remain curious, and stay fully engaged."

Dr. Sobiech adds that Dr. Otile is also deeply invested in the success of his peers, working diligently to mentor, contribute, and address policy change needs for the betterment of the graduate community.

"I am immensely grateful for the wealth of networking opportunities, internal funding options for projects as well as research and collaborative resources available at IU," says Dr. Otile. "Being honored with this IPHA award has greatly boosted my confidence and reinforced my belief in the work I have done over the past year."

Currently, Dr. Otile is spearheading a critical effort to take the Hoosier Sport community outreach program global. The Hoosier Sport team is set to begin a community needs assessment and coach/staff training in Apac, Northern Uganda in 2025.

“We will seek establishment of a sustainable infrastructure for a youth sports programs addressing various health disparities in the community of Apac using our Positive Youth Development Program,” says Dr. Otile. “We shall continue to work with our community partner schools in rural Indiana to not only do co-design but use various sports and physical activity interventions using soccer, flag football, volleyball, etc. to address health disparities among children.”

Dr. Otile adds that being a member of the IPHA Student Advisory Group has connected him with a large network of public health professionals, and honed his skills in helping international students address challenges that might hinder them from taking advantage of valuable career opportunities.

Dr. McIntire is executive director of New Leaf - New Life, a volunteer-powered program that provides materials and resources to incarcerated residents of Monroe County—both during and after incarceration—with their transition back into the community. These tools empower participants to build skills to understand and manage issues like addiction, poverty, discrimination, and criminalization. Dr. McIntire says receiving the Public Health Impact Award acknowledges the transformative work this program has achieved in the local area, and reinforces her commitment to developing initiatives for lasting public health impacts that merge academic insight with practical application.

"[This program] aligns closely with my professional and personal focus on public health and society equity," says Dr. McIntire. 

Dr. McIntire credits the school’s collaborative environment to nurturing her professional goals in public health, as well as its commitment to interdisciplinary research and thriving community engagement.

"SPH-B has enabled me to connect with thought leaders, access resources, and apply evidence-based practices to real-world challenges," says McIntire. "The university’s emphasis on public health as a transformative tool continues to inspire my efforts to develop impactful programs that address systemic disparities and improve community wellbeing. Go Hoosiers!"

Nominator Richard Holden, Ph.D., SPH-B assistant dean for faculty success, notes, "Thanks to Dr. McIntire’s leadership, passion, and expertise, New Leaf - New Life has helped ensure that important needs are met in jail and after release."

For more inspiring stories about SPH-B students, faculty and staff, visit go.iu.edu/48bx.