Seth L. Debro
Facility Operations Specialist
IU Health Sciences Building
Seth Debro is an active member of the Bloomington community who has worked at IU in various capacities since 2014. He Chaired the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Black Males; took part in the city’s Citizen’s Academy; and serves on the Bloomington Utility Service Board. (He is also a Notary Public, basketball coach and IHSAA licensed basketball official, and a member of the NAACP.)
As facility operation specialist—aka “building manager”—for the IU Health Sciences Building at the new hospital, Debro draws upon his accumulated skill sets, a degree in public safety and homeland security, and previous supervisory experience to coordinate with IU faculty and staff, IU Health Bloomington, and IU Capital Planning and Facilities to ensure safe, proper functioning of the facility and its operations. He’s a natural at the multitasking necessary to effectively running regular maintenance, safety and security, space and events planning, and inventory control, as well as monitoring compliance and representing the building on various IU and IU health facilities-related committees.
Q: What drew you to this position?
A: The partnership between Indiana University and IU Health is a great collaboration for our community and I wanted to be a part of that. It’s great to have a small role in the RAHC in its infancy. I’m excited to be a part of its growth.
Q: You started in March (2022). What has surprised you about this job, and how have things changed now that you’re nearing the six-month mark?
A: I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how good the cafeteria food is. The cafeteria has a sandwich station, salad bar, taco bar, pizza, homestyle food, and a Starbucks! I’ve been impressed by how invested and engaged faculty, staff, and students are in our building. Everyone strives to make sure that our occupants and visitors have a good experience in our building.
Q: Can you explain the distinction between the IU Health Sciences Building and the Regional Academic Health Center/IU Health Bloomington Hospital in general?
A: The Health Sciences Building is part of the Regional Academic Health Center, which also includes the IU-Bloomington Hospital. The Health Sciences Building is the home of IU Bloomington’s Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences; School of Medicine; School of Nursing; and the School of Social Work. The partnship of these schools with our simulation center and the hospital allows for endless training and interprofessional training opportunities for our students and caregivers.
Q: What is the best part of your job—and what do you wish people understood about your work?
A: The best part of the job is the people I get to work with. The students bring great energy to the building and make the work experience enjoyable. There aren’t two days alike in this job. The varying duties can lead to communicating with anyone from executive leadership to children at our preschool.
Q: What is your favorite Bloomington tradition?
A: Taking a walk on campus in the fall and seeing the beautiful landscape and foliage—and then venturing downtown and grabbing a bite at one of the many great local establishments.
From left: Seth Debro with Mayor John Hamilton in a recreational youth basketball facility. Top: Debro poses with Deputy Mayor Don Griffin Jr. (at left). Bottom right: Debro in basketball coaching mode. His great uncle George Shivley was an American left fielder in the Negro leagues who played with the Indianapolis ABCs and the Lyon's Black Devils of Kokomo. A limestone monument was dedicated in Shivley's honor in Rosehill Cemetery in 2015. Courtesy Photos
