IU Department of Health & Wellness Design

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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from IU Department of Health & Wellness Design, College & University, 1025 E 7th Street, Bloomington, IN.

The Department of Health & Wellness Design (previously Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies) was founded on July 1, 1946 and has been a distinct department since its inception at Indiana University.

10/02/2026

🌊 Keeping Our Communities Safe Around the Water! 🛟

IU School of Public Health’s Dr. William Ramos recently joined the Miller Beach community for its Water Safety Social, sharing his expertise and practical tips for staying safe while enjoying the lakefront.

The event brought community members together to learn, connect, and reinforce an important message: the best day at the beach is a safe day at the beach! 💙

Thank you to Miller Beach Water Safety and everyone who helped promote safer experiences in and around the water.

09/30/2026

🎉 Congratulations to PhD student Ruiping Ren on the publication of her paper!

This accomplishment reflects Ruiping’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to advancing research in her field. We’re excited to celebrate this milestone and recognize her outstanding achievement.

Please join us in congratulating Ruiping on her newly published work! 👏📚

09/18/2026

🌍✈️ Spend Summer 2027 in Barcelona, Spain! 🇪🇸

Interested in exploring the connection between travel, health, and well-being while experiencing life abroad? SPH-T 376: Health & Wellness Tourism: The Case of Barcelona, Spain offers IU students the opportunity to spend three weeks in Barcelona from May 9–30, 2027.

During this 3-credit international experience, students will explore how Barcelona’s culture, recreation, and wellness landscapes influence tourism while learning about the physical, psychological, sport-based, and spiritual dimensions of wellness.

✨ Open to all SPH-B and IU Bloomington students
📚 Especially relevant for Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management (THEM) students
📅 May 9–30, 2027
📍 Barcelona, Spain

Ready to take your learning beyond the classroom? Contact Professor David Smiley at [email protected] for more information.

09/16/2026

Students in T302: Management of Food and Beverage Operations recently attended the annual IU Catering Showcase, Indiana University Bloomington’s premier event for event planners. Students evaluated food presentation, event flow, and wellness-focused menu offerings. Students in T201: Introduction to Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management (THEM) Industries welcomed Chris Cecil Jr., Account Manager for Visit Indy, who shared how Indianapolis is marketed and sold as a destination for conventions and major meetings. Chris was joined by Brooke Jewel, a senior at Butler University and Visit Indy’s newest Tourism Communications Intern, who provided valuable insights into careers and internships within destination marketing. This event was such a great way to connect students with industry practice and professional opportunities!

07/30/2026

🎙️ New Podcast Feature: Indiana University & Military Recreation

How does a university become one of the nation's leading talent pipelines for military recreation professionals?

In the latest episode of On The Front Line – The Military Rec Show, host John Prue sits down with Dr. Julie Knapp, Tara Culbertson, and Kristen Riddle to discuss how Indiana University's Parks, Recreation, Outdoor, and Tourism program has prepared generations of professionals to serve military communities around the world.

The conversation explores:
⭐ The impact of internships and mentorship
⭐ Career pathways in Military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR)
⭐ Leadership and service
⭐ The lasting legacy of Professor Dan Sharpless

Whether you're a current student, an alumnus, an MWR professional, a military family member, or someone interested in meaningful careers that strengthen communities, this episode is well worth a listen.

🎧 Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/gDLvM2y18G8?si=B5yESbWff5_qlMLA

07/27/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Brandon Howell, lead author, and HEWD faculty members Dr. Jordan Hill, Dr. Edmond Ramly, and Dr. Richard Holden on their recent publication in Frontiers in Public Health.

Their article, "Designing Hospitality for Health: An Emerging Approach to Public Health," introduces a new approach to public health that explores how hospitality principles can create more welcoming, person-centered environments that improve health and well-being.

📖 Read the article: https://go.iu.edu/T8mCbw

07/23/2026

🎉 Congratulations to HEWD faculty member Dr. Armando Peña!

The Department of Health & Wellness Design is proud to celebrate Dr. Armando Peña on receiving two Indiana CTSI funding awards that will support innovative health research:

🔹 Translational Population Health Award
Principal Investigator: Dr. Armando Peña
Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Camila Arnaudo

🔹 Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Pilot & Feasibility Award
Principal Investigator: Dr. Armando Peña

These awards recognize innovative research that advances population health and research on diabetes and metabolic diseases.

Learn more about Indiana CTSI funding opportunities:
https://go.iu.edu/ek2k6T

Congratulations, Dr. Peña!

07/20/2026

🌊 Make water safety part of your summer wellness routine.

Whether you're spending time at the pool, lake, or beach, practicing safe swimming habits can help prevent injuries and keep you and your loved ones safe. A few simple precautions can make all the difference.

Read these expert-recommended swimming safety tips from Everyday Health:
https://go.iu.edu/r2sbV9

07/16/2026

📚 Congratulations to HEWD faculty on a new publication!

The Department of Health & Wellness Design is proud to celebrate the publication of Health and Leisure: Making the Connections (2nd Edition), co-edited by Dr. Megan Janke, Associate Professor in HEWD.

This groundbreaking text is the only book in the world dedicated to the connection between health and leisure. It explores today's most pressing public health issues through a holistic lens, examining physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being across the lifespan.

We're also proud to recognize Dr. Megan Janke and Dr. Jordan McIntire, who both contributed chapters to this edition.

Topics include:
🌿 Nature's Prescription for Health
👨‍👩‍👧 Designing Leisure for Family Health
🍽️ Mindful Dining as Leisure
🧘 Leisure and Stress Management
🌎 Environment and Climate Change
💙 Leisure as a Context for Prevention

Learn more about the book or order a copy here: https://go.iu.edu/cWTK6E

Congratulations to Dr. Janke, Dr. McIntire, and all of the contributors on this outstanding achievement!

07/04/2026

🎇 Stars, stripes, and summer skies! 🇺🇸

Health & Wellness Design wishes you a happy, safe, and healthy Fourth of July. May your holiday be filled with celebration, connection, and lasting memories.

Address

1025 E 7th Street
Bloomington, IN
47405

Telephone

+18128554711

Website

https://publichealth.indiana.edu/research/departments/health-wellness-design/index.html

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