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Riley Children's Health has implemented hospital inpatient visitor restrictions to protect patients and help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. View full details for Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health and Riley Children's Health at IU Health North.

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Riley Children's Health
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Riley Children's Health

Critical Care

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Riley at IU Health is the leading provider of medical care for critically ill and seriously injured infants and children in Indiana. Our healthcare providers have the knowledge and expertise to care for children with complex medical, surgical and traumatic conditions.

Our doctors—pediatric intensivists with expertise in the care of critically ill children—provide 24-hour on-site medical care. Our team also includes specially trained pediatric critical care nurse practitioners, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and nutritionists. Our critical care specialists work closely with Indiana University Health LifeLine to ensure the safe transport of patients to Riley at IU Health.

Led by a group of faculty attending physicians, our critical care team uses advanced medical technology to support and treat children with life-threatening conditions. Riley Hospital for Children is Indiana's longest-standing Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, verified by the American College of Surgeons since 1993.

We care for children with a wide variety of medical and surgical conditions, including:

  • Congenital heart disease
  • Post-operative recovery from a variety of surgical procedures, including those performed by pediatric general surgeons; neurosurgeons; ear, nose and throat surgeons; plastic surgeons and orthopedic surgeons
  • Kidney, liver, multivisceral (multi-organ) and cardiac transplants
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Burn injuries and smoke inhalation
  • Sepsis
  • Respiratory failure
  • Inborn errors of metabolism
  • Pediatric cancer, including children receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplants

As part of our patient- and family-centered approach, we encourage parents and caregivers to participate in their child's care. We welcome parents and caregivers to observe and participate in daily rounds as they feel comfortable.

Children in critical care may be required to have extended hospital stays, numerous surgical procedures and ongoing, meticulous care. Our skilled medical, nursing and support team has expertise in helping patients and families through these challenges. We also provide guidance and support to those who will care for your child as he or she prepares to go home.

Treatments that we provide include:

  • Advanced mechanical ventilation
  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
  • Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)
  • Targeted temperature control for children recovering from cardiac arrest

We also work closely with various other teams at Riley at IU Health, including the Heart Center, Transplant Department, Trauma Department and Neurology Department.

kids in a hammock

Annual Report

Read more about our patient outcomes, quality improvements and multidisciplinary programs.

Conditions & Services

Services Offered

We offer a number of different Critical Care services. Below are some, but not all, of the services that we provide. If you have a question about a specific service that is not listed here, please contact our department.

  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
  • Intubation & Mechanical Ventilation
  • Procedural Sedation
  • Transport Services

Doctors and Locations

Doctors

Our highly experienced doctors provide a full spectrum of critical care services for children with the most severe illnesses and injuries.

Locations

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

See all facilities →

Related Programs & Departments

Related Programs & Departments

We provide multispecialty care for a number of conditions. Below are links to our related programs & departments.

  • Burn Program
  • Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

Related Stories

Related Stories

Blog Ruth Johnson

A PICU “legend” retires after 46 years

06/04/25 Patient Care

Ruth Johnson is a “true example of commitment, a strong work ethic, integrity, and doing what it takes for the greater good.”

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Blog Matthias Pfister

Five years after trauma, teen reunites with doctors

04/02/25 Patient Stories

Matthias Pfister, who nearly died in a 2020 car crash, is on his way to college in the fall, with the goal to become a neurologist.

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Blog Charge nurse Jane Watson

PICU nurse’s “spirit, sparkle and sunshine” will be missed

03/23/25

Charge nurse Jane Watson is taking on a new role nearly four decades after she began her Riley career.

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Blog Roxanne “Roxy” Klampe

From a medic in the military to a nurse in the PICU

11/11/24

DAISY winner Roxy Klampe first served her country and now serves her community.

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Blog Dr. Veda Ackerman

Longtime PICU physician reunites with team

09/05/24

By Maureen Gilmer, IU Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org Five years ago, Dr. Veda Ackerman left Riley Hospital for Children after a long and distinguished career in pediatric critical care...

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Blog Chancecweb1

Trauma survivor: “I just know my mom is with me right now”

04/16/24 Patient Stories

He lost his mother in an accident that left him critically injured, but 9-year-old Chance Charters is recovering, thanks to the love of family and the support of many hospital specialists.

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Blog PICU Grace Ryan wins DAISY

PICU nurse builds bond with patients and families

04/01/24

Grace Ryan wins a DAISY award in the first year of her nursing career for her compassionate care.

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Blog Jackweb11

Transplant gives toddler with rare condition a second chance

01/10/24 Patient Stories

Sixteen-month-old Jack received a bone marrow transplant from his sister to slow the progression of MPS 1. He was the first in the state identified through newborn screening since the metabolic disorder was added to the screening list in 2020.

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Blog Rogersweb111

From anxious PICU parent to skilled PICU nurse

08/15/22

Shakiyla Rogers went to nursing school after her once-tiny preemie came home from the hospital. Now that little guy has started kindergarten.

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Teen defers dream while fighting cancer

07/15/21 Patient Stories

Alex Santiago hopes that someday he will be well enough to pursue his goal to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps.

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Blog Zaneweb

She almost lost her boy, but the stars aligned that January night

03/07/21 Patient Stories

So many times, someone could have said, “No, we can’t do that.” Instead, teams from three hospitals said “yes,” and a 15-year-old boy is alive because of it. Read how Riley and Methodist worked together to save a patient who was clinging to life at an Evansville hospital.

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Blog Kathy McGregor with riley children's coworkers

Her life’s work has been with Riley burn patients

07/16/19

“It’s kind of surreal, but forty-four-and-a-half years is a long time, and who gets to work with people you love doing what you love for that long? I am grateful, but I am also tired. I will miss the people in this hospital so much. I’m just so incredibly proud of them.”

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Health Professionals

For Health Professionals

We work with referring physicians to care for patients from throughout Indiana and surrounding regions. Our team also seeks to advance the field of pediatric intensive care, participating in clinical research and clinical trials at both the institutional and national levels in close partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Transfer a Patient

To request a patient transfer to Riley at IU Health, call the IU Health Transfer Center: 317.963.3330

Education

We partner with the IU School of Medicine to provide the next generation of pediatric critical care physicians with education, training and clinical experience. Our department offers an accredited pediatric critical care fellowship training program.

Education Resources:
  • Medical Students
  • Residents
  • Fellowship
Riley Children's Health Indiana University School of Medicine
Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2023-24

©2025 Riley Hospital for Children at
Indiana University Health
Find adult services at iuhealth.org

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Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2023-24

©2025 Riley Hospital for Children at
Indiana University Health
Find adult services at iuhealth.org


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