Regenstrief Institute Research Scientist Kurt Kroenke, M.D., was honored during the 2024 Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) Annual Meeting on Friday, September 20, 2024.
Dr. Kroenke was recognized for his service to the Indiana CTSI’s Clinical Investigation and Translational Education (CITE) program, which he founded and helped build it into the robust educational program it is today.
The CITE program provides degree opportunities for fellows, faculty and others with career interests in clinical and translational research. One of the flagship offerings is the Master of Science in clinical research, designed to prepare healthcare professionals for impactful research careers.
“Dr. Kroenke’s legacy at the CITE program, Indiana University and Regenstrief Institute is unparalleled,” said Suzanne R. Galbraith, a CTSI education program coordinator who has worked alongside Dr. Kroenke for nearly two decades. “His brilliance, kindness and humility have made him a role model to countless students, staff and fellows. He is the best mentor I’ve ever known.”
Under Dr. Kroenke’s leadership, the CITE program has grown into a leading educational platform, with more than 500 faculty and students, nearly 335 of whom achieved a clinical research degree, completing its rigorous coursework. For the past 23 years, Dr. Kroenke has personally instructed three of the program’s four required courses, including clinical research methods, clinical trials and mentored clinical research. As a testament to his enduring commitment to education, he will teach his final course this December 2024.
During the annual meeting’s poster winner recognition and awards presentation, Dr. Kroenke presented the Kroenke Poster Award to fellow Regenstrief Research Scientist Tarik Yuce, M.D., M.S., for his research poster presentation “The Impact of Preoperative Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RA) Utilization on Bariatric Surgery Outcomes.” Dr. Yuce’s poster presentation was a part of his work as a KL2 scholar in the CITE program.
Beyond his educational leadership, Dr. Kroenke is internationally recognized for his work in developing industry-defining tools to assess patient symptoms. His contributions include the creation of the PHQ-9, a screening tool for depression, and the GAD-7, which measures generalized anxiety. These tools have been cited in thousands of research papers. They are used worldwide in various healthcare settings, helping providers accurately measure symptoms and tailor care to patients’ needs.
As the Regenstrief Institute continues to connect clinical care with social needs to improve health, Dr. Kroenke’s symptom assessment tools have paved the way for advancements, including the use of digital symptom-tracking applications. His work has empowered clinicians to provide precise, evidence-based care, transforming the landscape of mental health and symptom management.
About Kurt Kroenke, M.D.
In addition to his role as a research scientist with the William M. Tierney Center for Health Services Research at Regenstrief Institute, Dr. Kroenke, is also an IU Indianapolis (formerly IUPUI) Chancellor’s professor and a professor of medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine.
