Indiana
Fulbright Spotlight: Building health care capacity in Croatia with connections to Indiana
This piece is a part of IU Global’s Fulbright U.S. Scholar series, profiling the faculty and researchers who make IU a top producer of Fulbright awardees.
Against the backdrop of Croatia’s northwest coast, Indiana University professor Suzanne Babich took a bold step during a sabbatical, reshaping the nursing program of the University of Rijeka in collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences.
IU Fairbanks School of Public Health professor Suzanne Babich collaborated with the Faculty of Health Sciences to reshape the nursing program of the University of Rijeka in Croatia during her Fulbright. Photo courtesy of Sue Babich
The initiative sought to incorporate a population perspective and introduce a groundbreaking Master of Public Health Nursing. In her usual role as associate dean of global health at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI, Babich contributes to international partnerships and curriculum internationalization, creating a lasting impact between the Indianapolis school and the world. The Fulbright opportunity allowed her to extend this commitment abroad, in a country with a pressing need for such initiatives.
Croatia’s rapidly aging population and the recent pandemic make the Balkans a critical area in the global demand for health care professionals, particularly nurses. Babich’s project aims to address the shortage by understanding health care on a population level, which involves navigating not just the short-term needs of patients, but also the complexities of social determinants of health and the intricate ways in which social and policy aspects shape overall well-being.
“Working at this level is critical because it allows us to understand health concerns on a broader scale, encompassing entire communities,” Babich said. “It goes beyond individual health outcomes, giving us a comprehensive understanding of health care needs.”
Over the course of five months, in collaboration with colleagues from neighboring countries, Babich and her University of Rijeka counterparts established the Southeastern European Health Studies Program. Going beyond the immediate goal of improving public health in the Balkans, the program aspires to be a center of excellence for curriculum internationalization and a beacon for enhancing health and well-being not only in the region but also in Indiana.
“This is an initiative we hope will have global impact, with a model we can examine and use to learn what may work for us Hoosiers, too,” Babich said. “Ultimately, the goal is to contribute to the improvement of health and well-being on both a local and global scale.”
Babich entered the Fulbright experience with clear intentions to significantly shape the new program in Rijeka. Beyond her academic goals, she was determined to immerse herself in the culture and understand the social and demographic conditions of Rijeka to better understand the unique context into which the program would be deployed.
“I am amazed at how much can be accomplished in such a short amount of time when people have the time and space to connect,” she said. “I felt like I became a part of the community. It made such a difference.”
Gradually building the program was at times challenging, but the social side of her Fulbright experience felt seamless. With a Croatian-American background, Babich adapted to and was welcomed by Croatian society, building connections that extend beyond the semester-long Fulbright.
“I made friends!” she said. “I met with shopkeepers, locals and neighbors, and met up for coffee every week with my neighbor across the hall. I participated in some U.S. Embassy meetings and conferences, and I had the opportunity to collaborate with other Fulbright alumni in Croatia.”
Embracing the local culture and actively connecting with the community, Babich not only gained crucial local support but also amplified the program’s effectiveness, extending its impact beyond the city of Rijeka.
She had a deliberate strategy of “connecting the dots” to ensure that the relationships she built on her Fulbright would be meaningful and outlast her time in-country. Babich’s vision went beyond the boundaries of public health; she aimed to integrate social work, nursing and health sciences, envisioning a campus-wide, multidisciplinary effort. Embracing the role of an ambassador, her specific goal was to expand connections across the region, promoting collaboration that reached beyond academic divisions.
This sustained effort to create a culturally responsive, integrative degree path generated support for the program, which led to national approval of the project in Croatia and laid the groundwork for future visits and ongoing relationship-building, including a return to Croatia next month. Among these initiatives, Babich is actively working on establishing the Croatian Fulbright Alumni Association, marking the successes in program development and in fostering enduring connections within the community.
Encouraging others to seize the opportunity for an extraordinary life experience through Fulbright, Babich recommends connecting with those who have successful proposals, sharing stories and seeking feedback. Babich acknowledges the program’s profound impact on her personal and professional growth.
“Being able to live in another country, to work and really make a difference, is an extraordinary experience,” she said. “It’s a level of growth that is impossible if you never remove yourself from your comfort zone.”
Two future Boilermakers are taking the floor and will go head-to-head during Indiana All-Star Week. 2026 signee Luke Ertel and 2027 commit Isaiah Hill are battling it out on Wednesday, June 3, as the Indiana All-Stars will play the Indiana Junior All-Stars.
Wednesday will be the third time Ertel and Hill have played against each other this season. During the IHSAA basketball season, Ertel’s Mt. Vernon team took on Hill’s Pike squad twice.
Hill led the Red Devils to an 84-81 overtime victory during the regular season. In the Regional of the Class 4A IHSAA Basketball Tournament, Ertel guided Mt. Vernon to a 57-54 overtime victory. The Marauders went on to win the state championship.
Who will win the third and decisive battle between the future Boilermakers on Wednesday? Here’s the information necessary to watch the game.
How to watch the Indiana All-Star Game
- What — Indiana Junior All-Stars vs. Indiana All-Stars
- When — Wednesday, June 3, 2026
- Where — Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, Ind.
- Tipoff time — 8 p.m. ET (approx.)
- Ticket price — $15
- Stream — ISC Indiana Sports Network YouTube Channel
Hill participated in Indiana-Kentucky Jr. All-Star Game
Wednesday night’s Junior-Senior All-Star Game will be the second time Hill has competed during Indiana All-Star Week. The Pike star and five-star center also played in Sunday’s Indiana-Kentucky Junior All-Star Game.
Hill put together a solid performance, scoring 15 points, grabbing a team-high seven rebounds and recording three blocks. His efforts helped lead Indiana to a 109-99 victory over Kentucky.
Ertel and the Indiana All-Stars have not yet played during Indiana All-Star Week, with their first game scheduled for Wednesday against the Junior All-Stars. Then, to close out the week, Ertel will participate in the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Series, with games being played in Lexington and Indianapolis.
Ertel, Hill highly rated recruits in respective classes
There’s already plenty of hype surrounding Ertel and Hill, both players who are highly-ranked recruits in their respective classes.
Ertel is the top-ranked player from Indiana in the 2026 recruiting class and is considered a top-50 prospect by 247Sports. He was named Indiana Mr. Basketball, averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game in his senior season at Mt. Vernon.
Hill is a year younger, but became the highest-ranked recruit ever to commit to play at Purdue. The 2027 product was a star at Pike High School during his junior season, averaging 12.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game. He is a five-star prospect and ranked as the No. 10 player in the class, per ESPN.
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GASTON, Ind. (WKRC) – An Indiana man was accused of sexually assaulting a young homeless woman in a barn.
According to WXIN, 34-year-old Dale E. Bosworth was arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted a homeless 18-year-old woman in a barn after the two connected through social media.
WXIN reported that Bosworth picked up the woman on May 24 while visiting Kokomo, Indiana, and brought her back to his home after seeing a Facebook post in which she said she had no money and nowhere to stay.
Court documents obtained and reviewed by WXIN state that Bosworth and his wife picked up the woman in a truck around 10 p.m. and drove her to their home. The woman stayed the night and was later offered $100 to perform work in a barn in Delaware County.
According to WXIN, Bosworth drove the woman to a friend’s barn in Gaston, Indiana. While the two were alone, Bosworth allegedly asked if she wanted to “fool around.” The woman told law enforcement she did not respond to the question. Bosworth then allegedly began rubbing her back and unzipped his overalls.
WXIN reported that Bosworth is accused of sexually assaulting the woman until he heard a noise near the barn. He later allegedly told his friend that the woman was refusing to work and that he needed to take her back to his home.
During the drive back to Marion, Indiana, the woman used the “Texty” app to contact Grant County 911 and reported that she had been raped, according to WXIN.
Authorities in Grant County then contacted the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies later located and stopped Bosworth’s vehicle, per the report.
While being questioned by investigators, Bosworth reportedly admitted that the woman had stayed at his home. Court documents reviewed by WXIN state that he spent “well over 20 minutes” explaining how he came to be alone with the alleged victim while denying any sexual contact.
When asked whether his DNA would be found on the woman’s body, Bosworth allegedly admitted to certain sexual acts. According to WXIN, he told investigators that the woman “did not say yes or no” when he asked her to undress and engage in sexual intercourse, but claimed she “looked at him” when he asked.
Authorities said Bosworth later admitted to portions of the assault after initially providing false statements and reportedly told investigators that “cops freak him out,” according to the report.
Bosworth was arrested and charged with the following, per WXIN:
According to WXIN, investigators determined that Bosworth knowingly and intentionally caused the woman to submit to sexual conduct, which constitutes rape under Indiana law.
He is being held without bond at the Delaware County Jail, WXIN reported.
During closing arguments in Brendan Sorsby’s injunction hearing on Monday, Sorsby’s attorney Jeffrey Kessler pointed to a recent NCAA gambling case involving former Indiana assistant volleyball coach Brett Agne. Kessler argued it demonstrated a stark contrast in how the NCAA has handled gambling-related violations with different cases.
Details in Agne Case
Kessler referenced Agne, who, according to NCAA findings, placed more than 700 sports wagers totaling over $327,000 during a five-month period while employed by Indiana. NCAA investigators determined that 27 of those wagers involved Indiana football and men’s basketball games.
Despite Agne admitting he knowingly engaged in prohibited sports wagering activity after receiving NCAA gambling education, the NCAA’s negotiated resolution stopped short of a lengthy suspension. Instead, the penalties included a two-year show-cause order with a mandatory sports betting education, a requirement that he provide gambling education to his peers, and a suspension of only 10 regular-season matches, roughly 30 percent of Indiana’s volleyball season.
“A two-year show-cause order for Agne, in which any employing member school must require Agne to complete meaningful sports betting education and provide sports betting education to his peers,” the NCAA’s penalty summary stated.
How It Compares/Differs from Sorsby’s Case
Kessler used the case to argue that the NCAA has previously treated gambling violations as opportunities for education and rehabilitation rather than imposing season-long competitive penalties.
The comparison was particularly notable given Brendan Sorsby’s circumstances. The Texas Tech quarterback recently completed a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction and has publicly detailed his recovery efforts since completing the program. Kessler argued that while Agne’s case resulted in educational requirements and a limited suspension despite hundreds of wagers and more than $327,000 in betting activity, Sorsby faces the possibility of losing the rest of his collegiate eligibility.
The comparison became even more notable when examining how the NCAA described Agne’s defense. According to the NCAA report, Agne stated that he used an unregulated computer program that automatically placed wagers based on an algorithm and claimed he was unaware of which games were being bet on, including the Indiana contests. Agne did not bet on his own team as Sorsby did, but Agne also did not acknowledge knowing which bets he was placing — a key distinction from Sorsby.
“Agne stated that he used an unregulated computer program to place bets on games automatically based on an algorithm, and as a result, he was not aware of which games he was betting on, including the Indiana games,” the NCAA’s report stated.
Also on Monday, Kessler emphasized Sorsby’s treatment efforts, revealing during the hearing that a Level-1 gambling treatment specialist diagnosed the Texas Tech quarterback with both a gambling addiction and an anxiety disorder while he was receiving residential care. Kessler argued that Sorsby’s case should be viewed through the lens of treatment and recovery, noting that Sorsby has acknowledged his mistakes rather than attempting to distance himself from them.
Closing
Whether Judge Ken Curry ultimately agrees with Kessler’s comparison remains to be seen, but the Indiana case served as a centerpiece of Kessler’s closing argument on Monday. A decision on Brendan Sorsby’s request for injunctive relief is expected in the coming days, with the ruling potentially determining whether the Texas Tech quarterback will be able to continue his collegiate career.
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