RILEY NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Riley Investigator Builds New Gene and Cell Therapy Program Gifts from Riley Children’s Foundation donors are helping Riley Hospital recruit some of the best and brightest investigators from around the globe. One of the newest recruits to the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research is Roland Herzog, Ph.D. Dr. Herzog is building a new Roland Herzog, Ph.D. Gene and Cell Therapy Program using genetic therapy and immunotherapy to transform lives of children born with hemophilia. “This is a lifelong disease,” explains Dr. Herzog. “Patients constantly need injections of clotting factor protein. The goal with gene therapy is to transfer the correct gene into the patient so the patient’s body will start making the proper clotting factor all the time.” Dr. Herzog says donors who support pediatric research at Riley are making a tremendous impact. “Donations ultimately mean that my team can help the futures of boys who are born
with hemophilia, giving these patients a one-time therapy that will correct their disease for many years. There is a need. This research makes a cure happen.”
Thanks to donor support, Riley research achievements include: n
Publishing 181 research studies in 2017, each one representing an advancement in pediatric medicine
n
Developing new therapies, including cellular and gene therapy, for diseases including neurofibromatosis, childhood cancers and leukemias, hemophilia, heart and lung problems, infectious diseases and diabetes
n
Recruiting world-class investigators for each of the eight teams at our research facility, the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research
OF NOTE Dairy Queen’s annual g
g
Riley Children’s Foundation and the Indiana University School of Medicine hosted a “Neighborhood Baby Shower” at the John H. Boner Community Center in Indianapolis on June 9. Funded as part of a $610,000 Kohl’s Cares grant aimed at improving Indiana’s infant mortality rate, the baby shower promoted positive parenting skills and safe sleep practices. Watch at Riley Kids.org/Videos. To learn more about the program visit KohlsCaringForOurKids.org.
Miracle Treat Day takes place on August 2. Stop by a participating Dairy Queen for a Blizzard and support Riley kids.
g
The Riley Children’s Endowment Board of Governors appointed Laurie Burns McRobbie, the first lady of Indiana University and founder of the Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Council, to the Board in May 2018.
g g
Liz Linden, DNP, has been appointed Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for Riley Children’s Health. Linden previously served as clinical director for the Medical/ Surgical Care Center, and recently as Riley’s first associate CNO. Devour Indy takes place from August 20 – September 2. All participating restaurants support Riley during this two-week event.
11 l RileyKids.org l HOPE HAPPENS HERE
318409-Mess_Sum_2018.indd 12
7/30/18 7:39 AM