Dr. Louise E. Goggans confronts community health concerns through the one method she has always found effective—education.
“Whenever I realized a need, I went back to school to improve my knowledge and skills,” says Louise, who earned a bachelor's degree in food and nutrition from IU in 1956, a master's from the IU School of Education in 1969, and a doctorate from the IU School of Medicine in 1982. She also holds a degree in counseling from Butler University. “You can never afford to stay static in any profession. Health care is ever-changing, and you have to be prepared to address new needs,” she says.
There is nothing static about Louise. Beginning her healthcare career as a dietitian, Louise established the diet clinic at Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis and served as its director for more than 30 years. She set up neighborhood health centers and an internship program for dietitians. And, she addressed high infant mortality rates by developing a prenatal dietary program. Louise also founded the local chapter of Meals on Wheels to provide healthy food options to seniors.
Louise recently retired from her teaching position in the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management at IU Indianapolis. Now she runs a private practice as a marriage and family therapist and as an educational consultant.
In recognition of all that the university has enabled her to accomplish, Louise created the Dr. Louise Goggans Lectureship at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at IU Indianapolis. She is funding the lectureship through a charitable gift annuity.
She hopes the gift will bring more recognition to the allied health sciences. “All the healthcare professionals you deal with after a surgery, injury, or illness—from the dietitian to the physical therapist—are so important to your recovery,” says Louise. “We are all living longer and better lives in part because of these professionals. I feel that they deserve this kind of tribute.”