Indiana University School of Nursing
Indianapolis, Indiana
Dr. Thruston is a nurse and has actively worked in the area of maternal/child health for nearly 40 years as a public health administrator, clinician, educator and advocate. Understanding the intersection between the health of children and their education, Dr. Thruston has targeted much of her health care work in schools, as she created and operated school-based and school-linked health clinics, is the founder and former director of a school-based health promotion program for students that are expecting or parenting a child, and is currently serving her third four-year term as an elected school board official.
Her research focus is on evidence-based practice implementation. She is currently co-leading a community action research project to help an Indianapolis high school become a learning community that is trauma responsive through the implementation of evidence-based interventions.
As a nurse practitioner for the National Service Corp, she provided health care services for families living in low income neighborhoods, housing complexes, homeless shelters and the streets. Dr. Thruston has provided consultation and education for local, national and international professionals caring and supporting young, teenaged families and serves on other local and national women and youth-focused boards.
Dr. Thruston earned her bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and her masters and doctorate from Indiana University School of Nursing.
