Founding
Susan Coleman and LeAnne Barta founded Indiana Lyme Connect, ILC , after experiencing the problems of delayed diagnosis and complexities of treatment firsthand as their own families have suffered greatly. Knowing that their experiences were not unique, they worked independently for two years to spread information about Lyme disease in Indiana before combining efforts. In March of 2014, they established Indiana Lyme Connect, an exclusively volunteer 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit.
Mission, Vision, Values
We seek to support individuals with Lyme disease and related tick-borne infections – that is, Lyme Borreliosis Complex – to educate the greater Indiana community about this often-devastating illness, and to promote healthcare professionals to combat this public-health crisis.
Indiana Lyme Connect’s vision is to dramatically decrease the number of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illness cases in Indiana as Hoosiers become more informed and practice good prevention strategies and healthcare professionals employ more comprehensive diagnostic techniques and treatment.
- Encouraging compassion for those suffering with Lyme disease
- Advocating for the Lyme community
- Building bridges to the medical community
- Respecting those with differing views
- Maintaining good stewardship of resources
What We Do
- Connecting Lyme patients, their families and caregivers to support and helpful Lyme disease information
- Educating Hoosiers regarding doable and effective tick prevention strategies; proper tick removal; and Lyme disease, diagnosis and treatment information in order to prevent Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses
- Promoting educational opportunities to the Indiana medical community that are designed to prepare healthcare professionals to combat the diagnostic and treatment complexities of Lyme disease
- Connecting Hoosiers to Lyme-centric research and governmental policies which affect the advancement of awareness and prevention of Lyme
Meet the Board
LeAnne Barta, Co-Founder
LeAnne Barta is co-founder and president of Indiana Lyme Connect (ILC). LeAnne and her husband know first hand the difficulty of Lyme diagnosis and its devastating effects on their children. After completing her masters in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Austin, LeAnne moved to Indianapolis. After working in a variety of medical and academic settings, LeAnne devoted her energy to raising and homeschooling her five children as well as serving in a variety of local and international organizations and churches. LeAnne has not only had the privilege of caring and advocating for her own children with Lyme disease, but also advocating for others with tick-borne illnesses. She and her husband live in Indianapolis.
Dr. Kimberly Lentz
Dr. Kim Lentz grew up in south central Indiana and graduated from both Ball State University and Indiana University School of Medicine. She did her family medicine training at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Dr. Kim began dealing with Lyme disease in 2004 when members of her own family became ill. In 2010, she opened a new medical practice focusing on treating Lyme disease and other tick borne infections. She and her husband Dan reside in rural Zionsville, and together they have three adult children.
Jon Edstrom
Jon Edstrom, a graduate of Purdue University, spent the majority of his professional career involved in various financial capacities in the insurance and premium finance industry both in technical and business functions. Additionally he has managed the financial operations of a small community church back in his home state of Illinois. Upon retirement, Jon and his wife moved to Carmel to be centrally located to their children, their spouses and grandchildren. Recognizing the need and importance of a dedicated non-profit which raises the awareness of Lyme Disease, Jon handles the Treasurer duties as his contribution to this important endeavor.
Stacey Crowder
Stacey Crowder, a native Michigander, relocated to Carmel with her husband, Brent, in 2015. She holds a Marketing degree from Oakland University in Rochester, MI and currently serves as the Sales Administrator for an AI-focused startup. Passionate about data, Stacey is thrilled to share her expertise in CRM management, process improvements, and donor engagement strategies with ILC. Living with Lyme since 2010, she understands firsthand the devastating impact this disease can have on patients and their families.
Donate to Our Mission
You can donate to Indiana Lyme Connect directly through our PayPal account using the button below. ILC also accepts Facebook donations as well as checks sent directly to our office at 1705 Broad Ripple Ave, Suite 252, Indianapolis, IN 46220.
Indiana Lyme Connect is an all volunteer 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit. 100% of your donations advance the mission of ILC including:
Support for Lyme patients, their families and caregivers, and interested citizens
Education for the greater Indiana community regarding Lyme-centric issues, such as prevention, tick removal, diagnosis, and treatment options
Promotion of educational opportunities to the Indiana medical community that are designed to prepare healthcare professionals for the fight against this emerging public health crisis
Partnerships
Indiana Lyme Connect is an Enhanced Business Partner with TickEncounter Resource Center (TERC), University of Rhode Island. Director Dr. Tom Mather (aka “the Tick Guy”) is one of the nation’s most respected authorities on the prevention of tick bites and tick-borne illnesses. ILC not only supports the research of TERC, but ILC benefits from their up-to-date community tick education research.
Indiana Lyme Connect is an Affiliate Partner with Insect Shield whose technology converts clothing and gear into effective, long-lasting, and convenient insect protection using EPA-registered permethrin. Permethrin-treated clothing is an extremely effective and safe tick prevention strategy. Insect Shield is the only certified company providing this technology. First time customers can use code INDIANALYME to get 15% off their first purchase, and ILC will receive 10% back from your purchase to support our organization (at no cost to you) if you use our link to shop at Insect Shield. Learn more about our affiliate partnership with Insect Shield.
ILC Newsletter
Indiana Lyme Connect puts out a monthly newsletter with new research and other information about Lyme, as well as details about upcoming events (including our support group meetings), and other relevant topics for the Lyme community.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up-to-date!
Your e-mail address will only be used for Indiana Lyme Connect newsletters and e-mails. It will never be sold to or shared with any other organization.
Thank you for your support and participation!
Your Support Matters
Was the information on this page helpful to you? Please consider making a financial gift to Indiana Lyme Connect to enable us to continue our work in providing tick bite prevention and Lyme disease education to citizens, patients, and medical professionals throughout Indiana.
Indiana Lyme Connect is an all volunteer 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit. 100% of your donations advance the mission of ILC.
Here to Help You
Want to get in touch? We’d love to hear for you. Here’s how you can reach us.