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Riley Children's Health

Pediatric Trauma

Indiana's longest-standing Level I Pediatric Trauma Center

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Trauma

317.948.7006
  • Call 877.247.1177 to transfer a patient
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Riley Hospital for Children in downtown Indianapolis has been verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center since 1993. With an in-house pediatric trauma team available 24/7, your child will receive the highest level of care in a center specifically designed for children with traumatic injuries.

As part of the state’s largest and most skilled pediatric health system, Riley Children's Health provides leading-edge medicine and patient-centered care.

Trauma Services

Riley Children's commitment to comprehensive trauma care extends throughout the entire hospital. Pediatric trauma surgeons, as well as pediatric specialists in emergency medicine, critical care, radiology and anesthesia, are available at all times. Patients benefit from immediate access to the most highly qualified experts, with specialists from every field of pediatric medicine and surgery in house or on call.

Level I Pediatric Trauma Center

Riley Hospital is one of a select number of children’s hospitals in the country verified as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center by the ACS and has held this designation since 1993. Our pediatric trauma center meets or exceeds the rigorous standards set by the ACS. An on-site review every three years verifies our center's quality. Participation in this elite group of trauma centers keeps our team on the leading edge of trauma care practices and helps us meet the unique needs of children with traumatic injuries.

Injury Prevention

The impact of the Trauma Department at Riley Children's extends across Indiana. We work to educate providers and communities throughout the region to prevent accidents before they happen through our Injury Prevention Program.

Conditions & Services

Services Offered

Below are some, but not all, of the services provided at Riley Children's. If you have a question about a specific service that is not listed here, please contact our department.

  • Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation
  • Transport Services
  • Trauma Surgery

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
  • Child Protection Program
  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Injury Prevention Program
  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Pediatric Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
  • Pediatric Anesthesia
  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
  • Pediatric General Surgery
  • Pediatric Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Related Stories

Related Stories

Blog Riley Shoemaker

Burn survivor’s dad: “He never gave up, so I never gave up”

11/18/25 Patient Stories

A Michigan teen was not expected to survive his devastating burn injuries, but the team at Riley got him over the finish line.

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Blog Bike safety blog

A parent's guide to bike safety

11/14/25

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Adolescents, teens and young adults have the highest rates of bicycle-related injuries treated in emergency departments. People ages 10-24 account...

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Blog Sophia Slaven

One year later: Finding strength after trauma

09/11/25 Patient Stories

A motorcycle accident left a little girl’s leg mangled, but she and her family are grateful for their Riley team’s expert care.

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08/22/25 Health & Wellness

When it comes to protecting your family, fire and burn safety should be at the top of your list. Everyday precautions make all the difference in preventing serious injuries.

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Blog Nick Hogan

Someone else’s accident changed the course of his life

05/22/25

Nick Hogan found his calling as a paramedic after assisting victims of a deadly accident as a Good Samaritan.

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Blog Brilea Southard

Brilea goes home after 513 days at Riley

05/19/25

An accident left this teen near death, but she fought to live. “It’s a day that a lot of us thought we were never going to see … and here she is walking out of the hospital.”

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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 Chance Charters

Trauma patient who lost his mom is finding joy again

03/18/25 Patient Stories

A year after a tragic accident, 10-year-old Chance Charters continues to see the Riley team that helped him heal.

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Blog Brilea Southard

Birthday bash for “Queen Bee,” a rock star at Riley

02/04/25 Patient Care

Brilea Southard has spent more than 400 days in the hospital after nearly dying in an auto accident, but today she is celebrating her “Sweet 16.”

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Blog Paul Warren

Boy plays guitar again after losing fingers in lawnmower accident

01/26/25 Patient Stories

“I don’t know what I did to deserve this kid, but he’s teaching me new things about resilience every day,” mom says.

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Blog Tracy Spitzer

Tracking traumas is her job

01/23/25 Patient Care

Tracy Spitzer, a critical-care nurse for many years, is Riley’s trauma program manager. For her, every statistic represents an injured child.

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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 Apuntarelliweb1

Riley emergency nurse answers the call

06/01/22

When kids suffer trauma, Aaron Puntarelli and the Riley team are there to help the patients and their parents through it.

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Blog Carolinepweb1

“I asked my mom if I was going to die. She told me I’m strong and I’m brave”

05/18/22 Patient Stories

After a freak boating accident, Caroline Pattillo found the strength to survive and thrive, with help from Riley’s trauma team.

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Blog Landmanwebmain

Firefighter, trauma surgeon discover a common bond

05/26/21

For Dr. Matthew Landman, medical director for trauma at Riley, it was pure chance that he should meet the father of a former patient during a reunion for another patient.

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Blog Mcneilweb

6-year-old shooting victim reunites with first responders who saved her

05/19/21 Patient Stories

Bri’Alle McNeil was asleep in her bed when an errant bullet fired in her neighborhood crashed through her bedroom wall last November and critically injured her.

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Blog Pfister Web

Danville teen continues remarkable recovery from near-deadly accident

12/06/20 Patient Stories

Matthias Pfister is not only walking again, he’s running. And he can’t wait to get back on the baseball diamond.

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Health Professionals

For Health Professionals

As Indiana's longest-standing Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, you can be confident that your patient will receive highly skilled clinical care through the Trauma Department at Riley Children's. To transfer a patient to Riley Children's, please contact our 24/7 Transfer Center at 877.247.1177.

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

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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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