Featured Researcher – Donna Ruch, PhD

Featured Researcher – Donna Ruch, PhD 150 150 Alaina Doklovic

Donna A. Ruch, PhD, is a principal investigator in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a faculty member at The Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus, Ohio. Her research focuses on behavioral health and healthcare disparities, the epidemiology of suicide and suicidal behavior, and strategies for suicide prevention in youth involved with child-serving systems (juvenile justice, child welfare, immigration). Dr. Ruch’s work has been published in several leading academic journals and featured in national media outlets including CNN, NPR and The New York Times.

Read on to learn more about Dr. Ruch’s work and research career.

How/why did you decide to pursue a career in your field?

My current research is focused on suicide prevention in youth involved with the juvenile justice system. In graduate school, I did volunteer work with youth committed to a long-term state-level juvenile correctional facility, and I was inspired to make a difference in this space. Many of these youth come from marginalized backgrounds and face a range of physical and mental health issues, with limited access to quality healthcare services. The goal of my research is to help inform much needed targeted suicide prevention strategies and promote equitable healthcare access for this underserved youth population.

What was your path to your current role?

My path was not conventional! My first career was actually in a corporate setting working for a large retailer here in Columbus. While I enjoyed the success I achieved, I was ready for a change. I decided to pursue a new career, and went back to school. After earning my PhD, I started as a post-doc at Nationwide Children’s in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, and am now continuing my work as a faculty member and principal investigator.

What’s next? What do you hope to accomplish in your research and professional development going forward?

I want to continue my research agenda centered on suicide prevention with disenfranchised youth. In my current research working with law enforcement and juvenile justice officials, I have been exposed to the needs of underserved youth who require and deserve specialized care such as youth victims of human trafficking, homeless youth, and refugee/immigrant youth. Going forward, my research trajectory aims to inform the development and implementation of tailored interventions and prevention strategies that incorporate the unique needs of these vulnerable youth to reduce suicide in these high-risk populations.

Fun Facts About Dr. Ruch

What do you usually eat for breakfast?

Oatmeal and strong coffee.

What would be your dream job if you could do anything (that wasn’t working in research)?

I always wanted to be a rock and roll star.

Favorite band/music?

I mostly listen to alternative music, but my forever favorite is Bruce Springsteen (I’m from New Jersey).

Favorite way to relax?

I live in German village and enjoy walking our dogs each morning at Shiller Park. It relaxes me and it’s a great way to start each day!

Favorite thing you’ve bought this year?

I like sneakers. I splurged and got myself a pair of Golden Goose Silver Mid Star’s. Very self-indulgent, but I love them.

A Spotlight on the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research

The Center for Suicide Prevention and Research (CSPR) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital was created to address the growing problem of suicide among youth in central Ohio. In response to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s behavioral health initiative, the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research (CSPR) was created in 2015. CSPR is a joint partnership with Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion and the Abigail Wexner Research Institute.

Researchers in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research (CSPR) conduct epidemiological and intervention studies on child and youth suicide and suicidal behavior to inform policy, improve the delivery of services for suicidal youth and ultimately prevent suicide and suicidal behavior.

Learn more about the research projects and publications of our investigators and research teams, including our epidemiological studies and publications on the increase in suicide deaths after Netflix’s release of 13 Reasons Whynoncompliance surrounding the guidelines for reporting suicide deaths in the media after the deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdaine and the disparities in black youth attempting and dying by suicide, and more.

The Center for Suicide Prevention and Research is located in the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion (map and directions) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the largest and most comprehensive center dedicated exclusively to child and adolescent behavioral and mental health on a pediatric medical campus in the United States. This partnership between the Abigail Wexner Research Institute and the Big Lots Behavioral Health Services allows for the development and implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies.

About the author

Alaina Doklovic is a Marketing Specialist for Research Communications at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She received her BS in medical anthropology and English from The Ohio State University. Her passions for science and health, combined with her desire to help others, motivated her to pursue a career in which she could actively help improve patient outcomes and scientific research through writing.