Student Spotlight: Rural Health Scholar champions public health in rural communities

As a second-generation Indian American raised in Queens, New York, Shreya Pandit developed a passion for health care access early on. Witnessing the challenges her grandfather and other immigrant families faced in receiving care, she was inspired to pursue a path focused on improving public health outcomes.

Now a Rural Health Scholar with the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement, Shreya brings that dedication to rural Indiana. In partnership with the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington, she supports local health initiatives through Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) and Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs).

In Brown County, she plays a key role in research, planning, and outreach.
Her creative approach is evident in projects like designing a zine that visually documents the CHNA process and a “community tree” activity at a health fair, inviting residents to write what Brown County means to them on each leaf.

“I wanted to make them feel immersed in the process,” Shreya shared. “It worked out perfectly because Brown County is known for forests and nature.”

Supported by her mentor Mylan Gaston, who is the Healthy Hoosier Communities liaison, Shreya shines in the spotlight when serving rural communities.

“She’s very innovative and creative when it comes to solving problems and brainstorming new ideas,” Mylan said.

The zine project Shreya proposed will help make the overall initiative more accessible, with the hopes of drawing more people into their community’s health journey.

“I’m so grateful to have the freedom to explore different projects and connect with so many passionate community members,” Shreya said. "Reading about health policy is one thing, but actually engaging with people brings a whole new perspective.”

Despite the rewarding nature of her work, Shreya also acknowledges the inherent challenges of addressing public health in rural communities. She points to the lingering stigma surrounding public health efforts, which can make engagement more difficult in certain areas.

“There isn’t a copy-and-paste solution in public health,” she explained. “Each community has unique needs which requires collaboration and creative critical thinking.”

Through her resourcefulness and deep listening skills, Shreya continues to navigate these complexities, always centering on the voices of the people she serves.

“One of her greatest strengths is her eagerness and ability to learn,” Mylan said. “I see her accomplishing really big things in the future.”

As she prepares to graduate this May with a BSPA in policy analysis with a concentration in healthcare policy, Shreya will continue for one additional semester to complete her MPA in healthcare policy through the O’Neill School’s 4+1 accelerated master’s program.

An aspiring health policy professional, Shreya hopes to continue gaining hands-on experience after graduation while advocating for accessible healthcare programs that meet communities where they are.

“When I came to college, I originally wanted to work at the national level,” she reflected. “But since working with Brown County, I’ve realized there’s so much power in local health and local government.”

Whether in rural or urban communities, Shreya’s growing expertise and passion have prepared her to champion equitable public health opportunities wherever she goes.