Nationally recognized pathologist leads team of experts diagnosing rare and complex diseases

Among the five board-certified pediatric pathologists at Riley Children’s, there are specialists in bone and soft tissue, solid tumor, gastrointestinal/liver, heart, lung, perinatal and autopsy pathology, all supporting the strategic vision of diverse and well-balanced expertise for Riley patients. Additionally, Dr. Davis said the integration of Riley’s talented pediatric pathologists with adult pathologists into one department enables timely access to the full scope of the specialty—an important diagnostic advantage in complex and atypical cases. Three of the Riley pathologists also provide subspeciality pathology work in the adult pathology practice, helping to bridge the gap and share knowledge across the lifespan of patients at IU Health.

“We recently had a child at Riley with chondrosarcoma, a rare bone tumor that occurs almost exclusively in adults,” said Dr. Davis, who is board certified in pediatric pathology but also trained in and practices adult bone/soft tissue pathology. “When our pediatric pathologists wanted an adult pathologist perspective for diagnosis, all we had to do was walk across the street. Likewise, the adult teams can share rare pediatric-type tumors with their pediatric pathology colleagues. Having a combined team of experts available within one department really distinguishes Riley from other children’s hospitals.”

Joining Riley Children’s and IU School of Medicine in 2022, Dr. Davis, Vice Chair of Anatomic Pathology, brings to Indiana a highly regarded national reputation in sarcoma and childhood cancer. For more than a decade, she has served in clinical leadership roles with the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), which is a member of the National Cancer Institute National Clinical Trials Network and the largest organization worldwide dedicated solely to pediatric cancer research. She is also a pathology representative for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s (NCCN) committee on adult and pediatric bone tumors. Well-connected in the field nationally, Dr. Davis recruited Erin Rudzinski, MD, to Riley Children’s in 2024. Also a recognized expert in pediatric sarcoma pathology, Dr. Rudzinski is Chair of the Pathology Discipline for COG. Both Drs. Davis and Rudzinski are also central pathology reviewers for COG clinical trials—Dr. Rudzinski for rhabdomyosarcoma and Dr. Davis for non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas and bone tumors.

“With two of the world’s leading experts in pediatric sarcoma right here at Riley, the depth and breadth of our pathology program is outstanding,” said Brian Weiss, MD, division chief of pediatric hematology, oncology and stem cell transplant. “Ultimately, we’re only as good as our pathologists, and the length they go to in pursuit of rare disease diagnoses is truly impressive and results in clear positive impacts on patient care.”

Riley orthopedic surgeon Christopher Collier, MD, a specialist in the management of bone and soft tissue tumors, works closely with Riley pathologists through all diagnostic and treatment phases—from the review of diagnostic pathology and imaging to real-time intraoperative consultation.

“It’s common for referring institutions within Indiana to send pathology out-of-state for review, but in most cases, that level of expertise is already available at Riley. Sending these cases to Riley ​from the start greatly expedites care for our fellow Hoosiers,” Dr. Collier said. “Our pathologists’ level of subspecialty expertise combined with a highly collaborative approach that includes close coordination between surgeons and pathologists, ensures precise diagnoses and seamless care for our patients.”

Extending beyond expertise in oncologic pathology, the pathologists at Riley Children’s are experienced partners with Riley physicians in multiple specialties, including GI, heart and lung, and perinatal—all working to deliver accurate, thorough and timely diagnoses to children with complex disease.