Mom and two kids all work in clerical support roles for rehabilitation services. One is a former Riley kid herself.
By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org
If you hang around Riley Hospital for Children long enough, you’ll hear people talk about how their unit is like a family, how they love and support one another.
The same is true in the rehab services department, but in this case three team members actually are family.
Alicia Harper and two of her children, Ruth Smith and Sebastien Harper, work on the team in clerical support roles.
Smith, a former Riley kid herself, was the first to join Riley – in May of 2024. Her mom followed earlier this year, then her brother a couple months later.
All say it’s a move they don’t regret.
“I told them this is the best job I’ve ever had and that it would probably be a good fit for them,” Smith said as she, her brother and her mom took time to talk about their job last week in Simon Family Tower.
Smith works in the newly remodeled lower-level rehab space in the audiology clinic, focusing on patients with cochlear implants, ages 6 months to 98.
“I love all of it,” she said, from checking in patients for their first visit to witnessing when a child or adult hears something for the first time. “That’s my favorite part.”
Sitting right next to her, also checking in patients, is her brother, Sebastien, who supports patients and families visiting for physical and occupational therapy.
“I like it a lot,” said the Army veteran and current National Guard member, who spent five years on active duty as a firefighter/EMT.
A new dad himself, he said seeing the joy in the kids and parents at Riley is a treat. “They make it all worth it.”
He doesn’t even mind sitting next to his sister at work every day.
“We grew up together. She’s my best friend,” he said.
In fact, he served as “man of honor” at her wedding earlier this year.
Smith is close to her mom as well. The two meet up when they arrive at Riley early in the morning and walk in together, sometimes grabbing a coffee before they head to their respective desks.
Alicia Harper is the first person people see when they check into audiology in the Riley Outpatient Center. Her job, she said, is to check in patients and “to be kind to people.”
On her desk sits a sign that sums up her personality, she said: “Everything is figureoutable.” The idea is to let families know that whatever stress they are feeling in the moment, she is there to help.
“That’s how I roll through life every day.”
She previously worked in education, but the stress of that job was taking its toll on her.
“I was ready for a change, but I still wanted to work with kids, and what better place than Riley,” she said.
Andra Goldsby, pediatric office supervisor in rehabilitation services, said she is grateful to have all three as team members and sees the impact they have on families and the department every day.
“It has been a joy to watch them thrive in their roles.”
For Smith, it’s wild to think she is working in the same hospital where she was treated for speech and vision challenges as a child.
“As a kid, you think this place is magical,” she said. “The doctors are excited to see you. They make you feel safe. I wondered when I came to work here if it would actually be like I remembered, and it really is.”
Her mom thinks back to those frequent visits when her daughter was young with a sense of wonder, never dreaming that she would one day be part of the Riley team.
“I always admired the place, but I saw myself as a Riley parent,” Harper said. “I’m not a hero, and only heroes work here,” she told herself.
“These people here, they don’t walk around in capes, but I’m telling you they save lives on all levels.”
Even if it’s just with a smile, a kind word and a willingness to serve.
Photos by Mike Dickbernd, IU Health visual journalist, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org
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