It can be tricky to form unguarded connections within the bright, sterile walls of a hospital.
It's not impossible, of course; and physicians work hard every day to ensure their patients are comfortable while visiting clinics. But it is true that conversations just flow more freely in places where people feel the most at ease.
Imagine, for instance, chatting with a doctor over snacks and drinks at a local pub, rather than in an exam room. Imagine sharing a beer while they explain in plain, common language the latest medical findings or scientific breakthroughs of whatever field holds their expertise.
That is the vision behind Docs on Draft, a new program organized by the Department of Medicine, in collaboration with vice chairs of strategic engagement throughout Indiana University School of Medicine and hosted at Guggman Haus Brewing Co. in Indianapolis.
Staged in a locally owned brewery, this speaker series gives experts in the medical field an opportunity to share their knowledge with their neighbors in a relaxed and friendly setting.
Sacha Sharp, PhD, the Department of Medicine’s vice chair for strategic engagement, designed Docs on Draft as a space where physicians and scientists can move beyond just presenting facts and evidence, and truly engage with the community through dialogue and storytelling.
Sharp hopes that, through this proximity and judgement-free conversation, genuine connection and trust will flourish.
“We really want to create more opportunities for our physician and science colleagues to engage the community — especially at a time when community relationships are strained and trust in science has seen a decline,” Sharp said. “Docs on Draft is just one way to address this issue.”
IU School of Medicine’s mission is to advance health in the state by promoting innovation and excellence in education, research and patient care; and a pillar of the school’s strategic plan focuses on improving the health and wellness of people in Indiana and beyond.
Departments throughout the school strive to promote health care access and outcomes for all Hoosiers through education and research as well as clinical care. One way to promote these improved outcomes is to engage members of the school community and the public in programing that addresses common health needs.
The lineup for Docs on Draft includes topics like cardiovascular health, women’s health and wellbeing, and the importance of cancer screenings — all of which are top health concerns in Indiana.
Docs on Draft will take place on alternating months at 5:30 p.m. in Feast Hall at Guggman Haus Brewing Co., 1701 Gent Ave., Indianapolis. Each event will last about an hour, with that time including a presentation from each speaker, a story about patient experiences, a brief activity and a chance for audience members to ask questions.
Upcoming discussions:
February 19, 2026
Speakers: Laura Vater, PhD, and Andrea Bauer, a colorectal cancer survivor
Topic: Colorectal screenings and young-onset CI cancers
March 12, 2026
Speaker: Kash Saleem, MD
Topic: Cardiovascular health
May 28, 2026
Speakers: Lindsay Kaufman, NP, and Bharathi Muthusamy, MD
Topic: Early protection and prevention of lung cancer
July 30, 2026
Speaker: Luis Blanco, MD
Topic: What is diagnostic medicine?
September 24, 2026
Speaker: TBD
Topic: Women’s Health
November 26, 2026
Speaker: Richard Kovacs, MD
Topic: Prevention and treatment of sudden cardiac arrests in athletes
