33rd Annual Convention

Thanks to ALL who joined us for the 33rd Annual Convention in 2025!

2025 Convention Photos

This year, we are presenting...

Fitness & Flamingos!

What you can expect:

Hear from engaging guest speakers on topics regarding wellness, benefits, and advocacy!
Enjoy live steel drum music and tropical vibes
Stop by our tiki bar for a refreshing taste of the tropics (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available)
Pick up your Vendor Passport and visit each booth for a chance to win exciting prizes in our attendee raffle!

The 2025 RIPEA Convention will be held from 10 am to 3 pm on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at Primo Banquet Hall in Indianapolis. Check-in begins at 9 am.

Also, in addition to our speakers, we'll have special guests who will add to the fitness and flamingo - plus patriotic - feel for the day.

Registration is closed! You can register day of at the venue: $25 for members and $45 for non-members.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Featured Speakers

Virginia A. Caine, MD, Director and Chief Medical Officer, Marion County Public Health Department

Virginia A. Caine, MD, is the Director and Chief Medical Officer of the Marion County Public Health Department. She is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine Infectious Diseases Division. She served as a Past President for the American Public Health Association and was the 125th President of the National Medical Association.

She received the Bio Crossroads "2017 August M. Watanabe Life Sciences Champion of the Year" Award as the first Black and first woman to receive this award and the Indiana Governor's highest award, Sagamore of the Wabash award for service. In 2020, the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) named her as one of 40 Influential People of the past 40 years.

Dr. Caine works tirelessly to promote and advance public health through innovative programs and unprecedented collaborations. Her boundless energy, vision, and drive to serve people, especially disadvantaged areas, have led Dr. Caine to have her fingerprints on numerous projects.

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Julie Clary, MD, MBA, FACC, IU School of Medicine & IU Health

A graduate of DePauw University, Dr. Clary earned her medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine where she also completed her internship, residency and cardiovascular fellowship training and served as chief fellow. Additionally, she was awarded a Masters of Business Administration through the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

She joined the faculty of IU School of Medicine in 2015 and specializes in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Lipidology and is credentialed by the American Board of Clinical Lipidology in addition to the American Board of Internal Medicine – Cardiovascular Disease. She is currently the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for the Department of Medicine and previously served as Associate Service Line Leader in the Division of Cardiology.

Dr. Clary is active within the American College of Cardiology and with advocacy both at the federal and state levels. She sits on the HeartPAC Executive Committee as well as on the Indiana Chapter ACC Board.

She enjoys spending time with her family, including her 3 kids (Simon, Fletcher, and Greta) and her husband, who is a retired Morgan County Sherrif’s Deputy and SWAT team leader. And in whatever time is left (which is usually early in the morning or late at night), Dr. Clary enjoys reading, running, and climbing mountains.

Jay Chaudhary, Senior Fellow for Mental Health & Wellness, Sagamore Institute

Jay Chaudhary, JD, has the unique experience of simultaneously creating policy for and executing a successful state behavioral health strategy. During his five-year tenure as Director of the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction and Chair of the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission, Jay led a significant overhaul of Indiana’s behavioral health system, resulting in a significant jump in the state’s overall mental health rankings.

Jay has recently begun a new journey as Senior Fellow for Mental Health and Wellness at the Sagamore Institute, an Indianapolis, Indiana based research institution. Jay’s work at Sagamore focuses on continued advocacy for equitable behavioral health care access and exploration of strategies for improving overall community well-being.

Jay is an Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow and has received numerous accolades for his work, including being named a “20 Under 40” State Government Leader from the Council of State Governments and a “Champion of Justice” by the Indiana Judges Association.

2025 RIPEA Legislative Champion

Representative Mike Karickhoff

First elected to the Indiana General Assembly in 2010, Rep. Mike Karickhoff has been an active member of his community for 40 years. Previously the Superintendent of Parks in Kokomo (1985-2002), he retired as Executive Director of Facilities at Ivy Tech, Kokomo, Logansport, Peru and Rochester (2002-2019). Before joining the state legislature, he was on the Kokomo Common Council for seven years (2004-2010), having served as the Finance Chair and President during that time.

Currently Indiana’s House Speaker Pro Tempore, Rep. Karickhoff represents House District 30, which includes portions of Grant and Howard counties.

Also a retired public employee, Rep. Karickhoff worked closely with RIPEA in 2025 to champion the 13^th check secured in this difficult budget year. RIPEA will recognize Rep. Karickhoff with its Legislative Champion of the year award.

Session Descriptions

The Future of Public Health: What Retirees Need to Know (Virginia A. Caine, MD)

What have recent public health crises taught us—and how will those lessons shape the systems that protect us moving forward? In this forward-looking session, Dr. Caine, a seasoned leader in infectious disease response and health equity, will explore lasting impacts of events like the COVID-19 pandemic on public health policy and preparedness. Dr. Caine will unpack how public health is evolving to meet the needs of aging populations and share where retirees voices and advocacy are especially needed. This session will connect the big picture of public health with practical implications for everyday life in retirement.

Living Heart Healthy (Julie Clary, MD)

Part of retiring well includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The tough reality is: The number one cause of death in America is heart disease. The upside is: In many cases, cardiovascular disease is preventable.

From an expert in lipids and Lipoprotein(a), we will learn what we need to know AND DO to prevent cardiovascular disease. We’ll also hear about exciting advancements in the field, including clinical trials designed to address heart health challenges.

Addressing the Demand/Supply Mismatch in Mental Health Solutions (Jay Chaudhary, JD)

Having led the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction through the COVID-era realization that mental health affects us all, Jay will share how devising and advancing policy frameworks and implementation strategies are critical to moving the needle on Indiana’s mental health crisis. He’ll help us move from awareness and acceptance of mental and behavioral health challenges to understanding state systems for solving the various challenges facing families and communities across the Hoosier state.