Riley Children's Health

04/06/2026

It’s Day 73 of an estimated 100-day stay at the Ronald McDonald House at Riley Hospital for Children for MaKayla Lovely, 11-year-old daughter of Bryan and Jade Lovely. MaKayla, seen here making music on the piano mat in the 5W playroom at Riley, underwent a stem cell transplant in January for severe aplastic anemia, a serious blood disorder where the bone marrow fails to produce enough new blood cells. Her little sister, MaKenna, who was her donor, got a chance to play with Peppa Pig toys alongside Riley volunteer Barbara VanDevender last week. MaKayla, who likes to visit her favorite nurses on the fifth floor, recently asked child life specialist Morgan Watson to cut her hair when it began to fall out. “MaKayla is one of the most resilient kids I know,” Watson said. “It's really been an honor to walk alongside her and her family these past few months and watch her personality and spunkiness shine through.” Jade Lovely has not been home since MaKayla was admitted to the hospital for a ruptured appendix and severe infection in November, but the rest of the family was able to join them in Indy for Easter weekend.
--mgilmer1@iuhealth.org

04/05/2026

The Easter Bunny (aka Riley Hospital for Children’s NICU Nest team) hopped into the rooms of some of Riley’s tiniest patients to bring the babies and their parents some Easter cheer recently. Pictured with their handmade floppy ears, courtesy of team members Anji Hines and Brandi Brizendine, are twins Zarah and Zion Civil, Elijah Masson, Leilani Solis, Benny Miller and Baby Girl Gellhouse. Not to be outdone, CVICU patient Noah M**h is sporting his own set of egg-stra sweet bunny ears. Noah has been hospitalized for several months as he waits for a heart transplant.

04/04/2026

Atticus Richter, six weeks old, sleeps peacefully at Riley Hospital for Children Thursday afternoon. Laying next to him is a “sound globe” which emits a soft, breathing sound to help comfort him. He is relaxed and content as his parents, Jacob Richter and Haliey Galeas are close by. Atticus sleeps peacefully now, but his health journey started out with some difficulties. He was born at a different hospital and had post-partum low blood sugar and a Subgaleal hemorrhage. The bleeding resulted in his head swelling and his blood wasn’t clotting properly. He was transported to Riley Hospital by ambulance and was initially cared for in the NICU for two weeks, then was moved to a different floor. During that time it was discovered that Atticus has a Bicuspid aortic valve and a borderline Hypoplastic aortic arch (the aorta is abnormally narrow). He also had some additional bleeding on his spinal chord. He was intubated and had a feeding tube for a while to help him gain weight and continue to grow. He’s had some setbacks along his journey, but he is doing better now and is gaining weight. He will have surgery in a couple of weeks to address the coarctation of his aorta. In the meantime Atticus’ parents are grateful and happy to see him feeling better and know that he is on the right path towards better health.

04/02/2026

Jess Gerhardt traded a career in communications to deliver the best care to heart kids on the CVICU.

Jess Gerhardt traded a career in communications to deliver the best care to heart kids on the CVICU.

04/02/2026

With a birthday coming up on Monday, you could say the celebrations for 10-year-old Iker Pineda started early. He got to say goodbye to his 5 East care team on Wednesday for what he and his family hope is the last time. Iker spent weeks inpatient at Riley as he worked to beat acute myeloid leukemia for the second time in his young life. 🎗

Iker's doctors, nurses, teacher and many other team members lined the halls for a "discharge party" as our patient stepped into a new chapter. Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Iker! 🎉🎂

04/01/2026

A 12-year-old is the first patient in the state to receive a new form of gene therapy.

04/01/2026

When four-year-old Benson learned his nurse has a cat who can't walk, he came up with a great idea to gift her his own stuffed kitty as a friend. 🐈 It's just one of several ways Benson and his family have built community at Riley in a very short amount of time.

The Petersons just moved from South Carolina days before a routine MRI led to a hospital admission at Riley and brain surgery. Despite all of the twists and turns in recent weeks, Benson and his family are grateful their journey led to Riley Children's Health.

04/01/2026

From Riley Downtown to Riley at North, Sarah Donlan helps make surgery go a little easier for kids and parents.

From Riley Downtown to Riley at North, Sarah Donlan helps make surgery go a little easier for kids and parents.

03/31/2026

“At the end of the day, we’re not just moving patients. We are delivering a legacy of excellence, fueled by a commitment to the children of Indiana.”

03/30/2026

Dr. Russell “RJ” Ledet never dreamed he would become a doctor until he saw the work “up close and personal” during his time as a hospital security guard in Louisiana.

From security to serving in the U.S. Navy, his path eventually led him to college, then to a doctorate from NYU School of Medicine, before earning a full-ride acceptance to medical school at Tulane University. Russell TheresnodoubtIllmakeit Ledet is a testament to dreaming beyond the circumstances that surround you. Happy Doctors' Day to all of the men and women caring for our patients today and every day.

Dr. Russell "RJ" Ledet did not realize his dream of becoming a doctor until he became a security guard at Baton Rouge General Hospital in Louisiana. "I…

03/30/2026

Today on National Doctor’s Day, we celebrate the incredible doctors of Riley Children’s Health. Thank you for your expertise, compassion and unwavering commitment to helping kids and families thrive.

03/30/2026

Two little girls and their parents met their real-life hero last week – a hero in the form of a 17-year-old boy.

Britain and Cody Skinner of Muncie brought their two daughters to the Delaware County Justice Center on Thursday for a recognition ceremony spotlighting Hayden DeLong (on his 17th birthday) for his actions to keep the girls safe after a deadly accident March 3 near the family’s home.

Britain was driving her daughters, Blakely, 5, and Brynnley, 2, home after work just before 6 in the evening when another vehicle crossed the center line and collided with the Skinners’ car. (The other driver did not survive.) Hayden was driving ahead of Britain Skinner’s vehicle when he saw the crash in his rearview mirror, turned around and called 911. As smoke began to pour from the Skinner vehicle, Hayden followed the 911 operator’s direction and removed the sisters, who were restrained in car seats, from the back seat in case the car caught fire.

When emergency teams arrived, they found the dazed and crying girls huddled together in the teen’s car. The sisters and their mom, all of whom suffered multiple injuries, were taken to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, then the girls were transported to Riley Hospital for Children. Ball Hospital emergency department nurses Charity Koenemann and Emily Stege, who helped treat the girls in Muncie, also attended the ceremony.

Hayden, who received a plaque from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department commending him for his courage, selflessness and “true heroism,” said he did not think twice about acting when he saw the crash and was relieved to see the girls recovering.

“I’m happy I was there. It means a lot to see them now after the accident,” said the Yorktown High School student, whose mom, siblings and extended family watched with pride as he was honored. “They could be just like my little sisters.”

Britain Skinner, who brought cupcakes and a gift for Hayden, while his family brought stuffed puppies for the injured girls, thanked the teen for his “bravery and selflessness during a time of need.”

“Whether you realize it or not, your decision to call 911 and pull two beautiful girls from a car on March 3 will be remembered for a lifetime. This one selfless act, one split decision and one kindness has made you a hero in the hearts of many.”

Read more here: https://www.rileychildrens.org/connections/teen-saves-sisters-after-accident

--Maureen Gilmer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org
Photos by Mike Dickbernd, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org