John Sutter, corporate compliance specialist with Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County (HHC) – Compliance & Integrity Partners, describes himself as a “magnet of people who are going to be supportive.”

He participated in many internships through the Gregory S. Fehribach Center at Eskenazi Health (the Fehribach Center), which aims to equalize employment opportunities for college graduates with physical disabilities through such experiences. Two of those internships were with HHC’s compliance department, who later hired him for a full-time position in March 2025.

“John is an amazing addition to the compliance team,” says Lisa Taylor, J.D., chief compliance officer with HHC. “Through his internship, he demonstrated an amazing work ethic, an understanding of the laws and regulations we monitor and a willingness to learn and do whatever was given to him. We couldn't wait to add him to our group, and since joining the team, he has continued his valuable contributions."

Larry Markle, Fehribach Center director, says that Sutter exemplifies why that center was created, adding that he is “a very talented individual who just needed the opportunity to prove his ability to become a successful professional.”

Sutter felt welcomed by his manager, James Ballard Jr., director of compliance effectiveness, and other team members. He found it interesting that several members of his team “had some connection to disability in some shape or form [through] either themselves or someone they know.”

A prenatal stroke had impaired the functionality on one side of Sutter’s brain. The other side has been compensating since birth, but he still experiences weakened ability on one side of his body and issues with spatial reasoning. He laughs about “The Three Stooges”-style scrapes his struggles with spatial orientation have gotten him into, but these experiences clearly have not hampered his efficiency. A theme emerges as he recalls his internships: multiple managers have complimented his impressive productivity. In early mornings before work even begins, Sutter has already written 200 to 450 words of his fictional stories, essays or poetry, either on his beloved typewriter or with the fountain pen that gives him a sense that he’s “part of a larger writing tradition.”

His education has been a boost to his success. Majoring in political science at the University of Evansville prepared him for understanding agency structures, he says. Even his creative writing minor has played into his profession since he’s discovered that corporate compliance involves “looking at data … to tell a story.” Sutter’s other major — ethics and social change — fits into Eskenazi Health’s mission. “Doing compliance for Eskenazi [Health],” he says, “you can just see … the positive impact that they’re having.”

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcase supportive, inclusive policies and practices that benefit employees and employers alike. Sutter appreciates Ballard’s understanding about the health consequences of his disability, such as migraines, and his team members’ eagerness to assist with his notetaking needs.

He hopes to see more employers nationwide striving to make those with a wide variety of disabilities feel included. That way, everyone can feel as comfortable coming forward to discuss their accommodation needs as he does now. Sutter credits the Fehribach Center for beginning that process for him. When he was younger, he often felt like he wasn’t “disabled enough” since his disability was less visible when compared to others. Being surrounded by people with different types of disabilities through the Fehribach Center made him feel more at ease owning his.

A recent graduate of the Fehribach Center’s leadership academy, a seventh-month program inspiring internship alums to initiate and engage in positive change within their communities, Sutter is motivated to advocate for disability policies as well. Thanks to what he learned from Donelle Henderlong, the program’s mentoring and leadership development coordinator, he now wants “to be advocating on a very local level … that’s where I really think there’s space for change. You can have a human connection with … people that have a different view and put together different coalitions.”

This self-described magnet of others’ support wants to return the favor, using what the Fehribach Center has created at Eskenazi Health as a foundation to build upon as he works to enact change. “I’ve often thought,” he says, “that being a good leader is building a little bit for the next person.”