Thank you to everyone who trusted me to tell their stories. It has been a privilege.
By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org
When I first walked into Riley Hospital for Children as an IU Health team member eight years ago, I didn’t know how it would change me or how the patients, their families and the Riley team would steamroll their way into my heart.
People I’ve interviewed over the years have talked about the “magic” of Riley, the special feeling they get when they step inside the state’s largest and oldest children’s hospital.
I know that feeling. I love that feeling.
Whether it’s the people who greet you when you enter the flagship Downtown Indianapolis hospital, the clinical team who lead with care and compassion all over the state, the child life specialists who pour their hearts into every patient and parent they encounter, the volunteers who give their time and talent every day, Riley has been a special place since it opened in 1924.
One of the first stories I wrote as a member of the social media team for IU Health/Riley back in 2018 was about a teenager who was dying from cancer, yet she was living every day to the best of her ability. One of the last things she did, with the help of Riley’s palliative care team and others, was to throw what she called a FUNeral, “a party to die for,” she said. It was a celebration of her life before she passed away. It was painful, but it was beautiful.
She was among the first in a long line of patients who inspired me during my years at Riley. Around that same time, a little boy was born with a complex congenital heart condition that would require three delicate operations. I met that child and his parents when he was a few months old and continued to follow his progress, sitting with them while they waited for an update from his surgeon years ago after another open-heart procedure. More recently, I was able to share joyful photos from his first time seeing his musical idol Taylor Swift in concert during her Eras Tour stop in Indianapolis in 2024.
I’ve written more than 1,500 stories in my time with IU Health, many on the adult side that had me in awe of the strength patients displayed in overcoming serious injury or illness. But most often, my days took me to Riley, where I watched as care teams celebrated every milestone of their young patients – from the most fragile preemies learning to breathe on their own, to the preschoolers learning to walk again after critical infections left them near death, to the teenagers fighting back after devastating injuries suffered in car crashes or fires or gun violence, as well as those recovering from sudden cardiac arrest, cancer or COVID.
I was proud of the leadership role IU Health took during the pandemic, despite the tremendous toll it took on our clinical staff and our patients. I was there with our photographer to cover the moment when the first batches of the vaccine were given to front-line workers at Riley. It’s surreal now to think back to that time, to understand that history was unfolding around us.
There has been so much joy in this job, but there has been sadness as well – the pain of learning that a patient I’ve written about has died despite the valiant efforts of Riley clinicians to save him or her. I have grieved with parents at funerals and, with their permission, shared a tribute to their child as a final gift. Entering that sacred space is an honor I don’t take lightly.
I would be remiss not to mention again the incredible Riley team of physicians, surgeons, advanced practice providers, nurses, therapists, social workers, case managers, child life, medical assistants, unit secretaries and all the support staff. You have helped me understand the “magic” of Riley.
As I move into the next chapter of my own story, I want to say thank you to everyone who helped me tell Riley’s story these past eight years. It has been a privilege.
P.S. I’m dropping a few links below to some of my favorite Riley stories, though to be fair, they’ve all been my favorites.
Miriam Sawka FUNeral November 2018 | Riley Children's Health
Josiah Medler 2019-2020 and beyond | Riley Children's Health
She almost lost her boy, but the stars… | Riley Children's Health
“Grace will lead me home” | Riley Children's Health
Junior brought joy to everyone he met | Riley Children's Health
“I’m standing here today … because of Riley… | Riley Children's Health
Brilea goes home after 513 days at Riley | Riley Children's Health
Preemie is punching above his weight | Riley Children's Health
Harvey is the light and life of the party | Riley Children's Health
From a 25-weeker to a bright, happy toddler | Riley Children's Health
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