History

In 1983...

representatives of six service clubs (Exchange, Kiwanis, Lions, Optimists, Rotary and Sertoma) came together for the purpose of making a positive impact on the health of all Marion County residents, which led to the development of plans for a health education center. As a result of their efforts, Life–Leadership Development Inc., doing business as the Ruth Lilly Health Education Center, was established.

After a successful capital campaign, a facility was built and the doors opened for business in the fall of 1989. The Center immediately began to address serious health issues such as:

• Smoking and tobacco use

• Alcohol abuse

• Illegal drug use and drug addiction

• Obesity and eating-related disorders

• Heart disease

• Cancer prevention and early detection

• Sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS

Our Vision

RLHEC was envisioned as an institution that would teach young and old alike in ways that could not easily or affordably be replicated in the classroom or other settings. The concept was that by combining professional health educators with life-size models, high-tech audio/visual aids, unique exhibitry and lively interactive curricula, subjects and content areas that are often perceived as “boring” would captivate students and encourage their participation. And it's worked - beyond all expectations.

RLHEC's programming for children and young adults provides age-appropriate instruction designed to leave a lasting impression on students so that they can use the information and skills acquired during their visit to the Center to make wise, lifelong, health-conscious decisions.

Our Plan for the Future

Most recently, RLHEC, in collaboration with Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and the National Association of Health Education Centers (NAHEC), has become a learning laboratory for new and innovative educational technologies. The introduction of high-speed connectivity through Internet2 will promote further collaboration across the country and around the world. Health Education for the 21st Century is an ongoing project to update the technology of the Center and develop creative new learning tools. Through this undertaking, RLHEC will play a crucial role in the Global University Consortium as we test and produce new educational technologies.

Naming of the Center

While the Center was named to honor a very generous capital gift from Ruth Lilly, we are a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization not affiliated with Ruth Lilly, Eli Lilly and Company, or Lilly Endowment.

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