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On Oct 10, Indiana University Associate Professor of Medicine, Dr. Kathleen Unroe  ’99, returned to ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú to receive the for her work to improve the quality of care and quality of life for older adults with long-term care needs. Unroe’s lecture, “Transforming Long-term Care: Impact through Policy, Research, Clinical Care, and Entrepreneurship,” encapsulated her experience in finding opportunities for innovation through academia and strategic business collaborations.

The event was hosted by the Scripps Gerontology Center and the center’s executive director, Katherine Abbott. Sue McDowell, vice president of research and innovation, began the lecture with remarks on how “Scripps figured it out” by achieving record-breaking grants and contracts, around 6% of the total at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú. She then introduced Abbott to shine a light on the history of the Scripps Center. 

Unroe began her lecture by reminiscing about her time on ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s pre-med track. She was also involved with gerontology and the classics, ultimately getting her B.A. in Latin Language and Literature. During her time as an undergrad, she was drawn to working with older adults and volunteering in nursing homes. 

“My goal is to just be as useful as I can be to as many people and in as many ways as possible,” said Unroe. “I think my time with [Scripps] helped me think about how to do that.” 

She used the knowledge gained from her Latin undergraduate degree to develop her own company, Probari, the Latin word for “proven” and a reflection of the applied research methods Unroe learned at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú. She also developed the OPTIMISTIC program, which attacked the issue of reducing avoidable hospital transfers by facilitates via a grant by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In addition, Unroe is currently developing UPLIFT, a program which trains people to provide palliative care. 

“There is always so much room to develop and grow,” Unroe said. “You just have to learn how, and Scripps excels at research-advancing practice and identifying what is relevant.”

Runcie C.W. Chidebe, a Ph.D. student in Social Gerontology, asked Unroe for tips on her success in generating clinical trials and what drove her to be both a scientist and an entrepreneur. 

“It was an opportunity for impact,” Unroe replied. “It's not for everybody. I think the fear and concern steers people away, but it can be managed if you feel like this is your path.”

Unroe encouraged students to use their degrees to their benefit. She spoke highly of how well-rounded you become when you have a degree in arts and sciences.

Baylie Barnhill, a junior with a major in Social Work who attended the lecture, says that she wants to work bedside with patients in the hospital. “I feel as though my degree has very well prepared me, in many different aspects, for that,” she said. 

Unroe accredits many of her achievements to her CAS degree. 

“I learned entrepreneurial skills, research methods, and policy development – all useful skills that I thank ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú for providing me with!”