Riley Week 2025 Recap

By: Conor Banks

Every spring, IUDM takes a week to focus on expanding our cause-connection between Riley Hospital for Children and our members! We call it Riley Week.  

IUDM held our 2025 Riley week from March 31-April 4th. This year’s Riley Week centered around the theme, “More Than Medicine: Riley’s Extra Mile”. Riley week serves to educate students about IUDM’s commitment to Riley Hospital for Children, while highlighting the miracle makers that make up the hospital’s staff through special events.  

The week kicked off with the Doc Talk on Monday, where students had the opportunity to hear first-hand from Riley specialists. The panel consisted of a pediatrician, a child life specialist, and an educational liaison, who all discussed their experiences while expressing their gratitude and appreciation for IUDM’s continued support of Riley.  

On Tuesday, IUDM highlighted cutting-edge pediatric research that Riley conducts. IUDM members set up red balloons around campus for others to locate with each balloon containing Riley facts. Some of the balloons included facts such as Riley being the first hospital in Indiana to perform pediatric open-heart surgery, and that each year Riley sees over 57,000 children!  

The committee meetings on Wednesday granted members a chance to take a closer look at the incredible programs that Riley provides for kids and their families. For instance, the Riley School Program supports children in the hospital to maintain their schoolwork and ensures they stay on track academically and provides them with a sense of normalcy.  

Riley Week concluded Thursday with the theme of Celebrating Child Life where IUDM members learned more about the Child Life Zone–one of the nation's largest hospital playrooms which features family-friendly games and provides Riley patients and families with a place of escape in the hospital.  

Through these events and special educational days, IUDM members were able to fully understand Riley’s impact on patients and families.