Mylan Gaston
Healthy Hoosiers Community Liaison
Center for Rural Engagement
Mylan Gaston strives to help rural Hoosiers live their healthiest lives by linking communities with the university and other resources, facilitating collaboration to effectively create and implement health initiatives.
Within the Center for Rural Engagement, she works with southern Indiana counties to support their community health improvement plans (CHIPs) and support the health coalitions resulting from CHIPs.
Originally from Florida, Mylan holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration degree from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Public Health degree with concentrations in public health administration and behavioral, social, and community health from Indiana University.
Q: What drew you to IU, and what were some early apparent differences between Florida and Indiana?
A: I wanted to learn more and be a part of the work that was being done on community health planning at IU and in rural southern Indiana. I had been doing similar work in Florida, and a professor at IU (now my advisor) was doing some interesting work on creating and implementing Community Health Improvement Plans in Indiana, and I wanted to be part of that process as much as I could be. Adjusting to life in Indiana from Florida was a bit hard, especially since it was in the middle of 2020, but it has been so nice to experience a real “fall” with the leaves changing colors and cooler weather. I did not enjoy my first winter here in Indiana, between the grey skies and bitter cold. I still have yet to try a pork tenderloin sandwich to make me a true “Hoosier."
LEFT: Mylan and her partner Ted in front of Sample Gates, from graduation in 2022. TOP: Maurice (Mylan’s cat) in his festive pumpkin costume for Halloween. BOTTOM: The IU Center for Rural Engagement staff at the 2023 Fall Meet and Greet.
Q: What pulled you toward the field of community health? What about it inspires to continue working in this area?
A: The impact communities have not just on health, but all dimensions of wellness. Communities have a lot to offer, and solutions don’t always need to be fostered externally from a community. It’s also inspiring to experience the culture of a community and what members of the community value, as well as where they see gaps. It’s easy to look at a community from a deficit point of view, but there are so many assets communities have to offer that can often be overlooked.
Q: What is one of the most rewarding components of the work you do?
A: Building relationships with community members. Even after a project “ends,” the relationships don’t just go away. This kind of work takes time, and one of the rewarding parts of the job is being in the moment and appreciating a community and its members.
Q: Looking to the future, what’s one thing you hope to see uplifted and meaningfully addressed in the world of community health? Specifically in our region?
A: The continuation of community members sharing their stories and successes. There are some amazing people and work being done in relation to rural community health, and I think it’s important to give the space to uplift those voices who may otherwise not have the opportunity to do so.
Q: What would a dream fall day in southern Indiana look like for you?
A: A dream fall day in southern Indiana would be driving through and seeing all of the fall colors and checking out some of the fall festivals that happen around this time of year. Also, picking up some apple butter from different local vendors!
LEFT: Mylan hiking at Bear Mountain State Park in New York. TOP: Mylan and Suzanne from IU Corps at the IU Center for Rural Engagement Fall Meet and Greet at Maxwell Hall. BOTTOM: Mylan facilitating a panel on stigma reduction at the 2023 IU Center for Rural Engagement conference in French Lick, IN.
