The Indiana University Board of Trustees recently approved the appointment of the School of Public Health-Bloomington (SPH-B) Assistant Dean for Faculty Success Rich Holden, Ph.D. to the James A. Caplin, M.D. Chair in Evidence-Based Public Health. While holding this honorific title, Dr. Holden may elect to dedicate associated income endowed by the late Dr. Caplin to "advance rigorous, scientific study of both access to healthcare as well as the efficacy and quality of healthcare—particularly for the underserved."
A highly accomplished researcher, author, and pioneer of patient ergonomics—developing methods and tools to support healthy aging and disease self-care—Dr. Holden says he is "humbled and honored" by this distinction. In addition to serving as a Dean's Administrative Fellow, was named an SPH-B Dean's Eminent Scholar and is the founding director of the Center for Health by Design.
The estate of IU alumnus Dr. James A. Caplin endowed the faculty chair position in 2020 to promote healthcare access, particularly among rural populations. A three-time alumnus of Indiana University, Caplin specialized in allergy-immunology and was a published medical author. He died in 2017.
"This award is so well deserved," says NiCole Keith, executive associate dean of SPH-B, adding that the award is a reflection of Dr. Holden's "hard work, dedication, and outstanding contributions to our school."
Dr. Holden's background includes a joint Ph.D. in industrial engineering and psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He also serves as an institute research scientist for the cutting-edge Regenstrief Institute, located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
To learn more about the James A. Caplin, M.D. Chair in Evidence-Based Public Health, visit go.iu.edu/4eLE. News about SPH-B is always available at go.iu.edu/48bx.