Unveiling and Installation of Riley Hospital for Children Historical Marker

Abstract

Photos and information from media stories about the unveiling of a new Indiana state historical marker from the Indiana Historical Bureau commemorating Riley Hospital for Children's century of care. The historical marker was unveiled by Dr. Richard Schreiner (retired Chairman, Department of Pediatrics and Chairman, Riley Hospital Historic Preservation Committee)and Riley Children’s Health President, David Biggerstaff in the hospital's Lilly Auditorium during a Town Hall meeting of hospital leadership on November 6, 2025. The installation of the Riley Hospital for Children historical marker on the hospital grounds took place on November 11, 2025. Photos provided courtesy of Riley Children's Health. The text, which appears below the marker headline, is engraved on both sides and reads as follows: "Prominent friends of children’s poet James Whitcomb Riley agreed to open a hospital to honor him after his death in 1916. The Riley Memorial Association, formed in 1921, worked with Indiana University, the State of Indiana, and private donors to construct the hospital. Riley Hospital for Children opened in 1924 and treated nearly 40,000 children in its first decade. The hospital quickly became a national leader in pediatric diagnoses, treatment, and surgery, with advancements in heart surgery, cochlear implants, and neonatal care. Partnering with the IU School of Medicine, Riley physicians have conducted innovative research in specialized areas such as cancer and diabetes, driving breakthroughs in children’s health care."