Get to Know Cody Ingle

The crisis of suicide among sexual- and gender-diverse individuals remains deeply alarming, with disproportionate rates of self-harm and mental health struggles when compared to their non-Queer counterparts. For Queer individuals in rural states like South Dakota, accessing affirming care and support is particularly challenging, exacerbating these disparities. Cody Ingle, a Bloomberg Fellow and Senior Research and Evaluation Specialist at Lost&Found, is working to change this reality. Through his role and as Principal Investigator for the Inclusive Care Collaborative, Cody strives to provide equitable healthcare access and foster resilience in the Queer community, aiming to prevent suicides and improve mental health outcomes across South Dakota.

Cody’s journey to public health began in a family medicine residency clinic, where he spearheaded quality improvement initiatives. It was there that he discovered a passion for public health as a way to merge his commitment to advocacy with his interest in healthcare systems. Transitioning to Lost&Found—a suicide prevention nonprofit in Sioux Falls—allowed Cody to channel his passion into actionable change.

At Lost&Found, Cody leads the Inclusive Care Collaborative, a unique initiative aimed at collecting baseline data on health and mental health outcomes and improving the way systems interact with Queer people in South Dakota. “The strength and resilience of Queer people in South Dakota is amazing,” Cody says. “While the community is exhausted, tired, and fearful, there is also so much hope and connection.” Cody’s involvement as a Bloomberg Fellow has been pivotal to his work. The fellowship has connected him with like-minded professionals and renowned faculty at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, expanding his resources and expertise. “I’m happy the Bloomberg Fellowship allows for such a great opportunity to connect, collaborate, and build community,” he says.