The Tami Barrett Public Health Scholarship has been created to support students studying public health at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health.

The scholarship was created in honor of long-time Indiana Department of Health employee Tami Barrett, who has served as the executive assistant for the last eight health commissioners.

“Throughout Tami's 43 years working for the Indiana Department of Health, she has proven to be an influential force of public health,” said Dr. Gregory Larkin, former Indiana health commissioner and founder of the scholarship. “Each of the last nine state health commissioners relied on and acknowledged her daily dedication and unfailing expertise.”

Working through public health emergencies and concerns, Barrett has served as a resource of knowledge and expertise for the health commissioners she supported. She has also served as a key partner to the governor’s office through multiple administrations.

“Through nine health commissioners, there has only been one executive assistant for all, Tami Barrett,” said Larkin.

Barrett has also been a devoted supporter of environmental health through her work at the Indiana Environmental Health Association and is committed to animal welfare.

The scholarship supports undergraduate students in the Fairbanks School of Public Health who have a minimum GPA of 3.0, demonstrated financial need and are studying public health.