Family Support Staff
Social Workers
There are four Social Workers who work for Riley Hospital for Children Hematology/Oncology at Indiana University Health. All of the Social Workers are Masters prepared and licensed in the state of Indiana. They have special training in pediatric hematology/oncology. Every family whose child receives treatment at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health is assigned a Social Worker. Some of the services that your Social Worker can provide are: support and counseling, lodging assistance, education and referral, crisis intervention, financial assistance referrals, assistance with transportation, information regarding re-entry to school, and information on insurance and entitlement programs.
Andrew Harner, MSW, LCSW - Clinical Coordinator
317.944.0115 (office)
aharner@iupui.edu
Stacey Koleszar, MSW, LSW
317.944.0111 (office)
skolesza@iuhealth.org
Stacey Downing, MSW, LSW
317.948.1835 (office)
svelez@iupui.edu
Lisa Almon, MSW, LCSW
Monday, Tuesday and every other Wednesday
317.944.0259 (office)
lalmon@iuhealth.org
Kyle O'Donnell, MSW, LSW
Every other Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
317.944.0259 (office)
kander11@IUHealth.org
Child Life Specialist
Riley Hospital for Children Child Life Program at Indiana University Health is an integral part of the Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health health care approach. By using therapeutic activities that address social, emotional, and educational needs, Riley Child Life at IU Health Specialists seek to minimize the stress and anxiety that hospitalized children and their families often experience. Riley Child Life at IU Health Specialists are Bachelor's prepared and have degrees in Child Life, Child Health, Child Development, or related fields. Some of the services that your Riley Child Life at IU Health Specialist can provide are: medical play/ preparation, procedural support, and developmentally appropriate activities.
Melissa Sexton, CCLS – Stem Cell
317.944.8723 (office)
msexton@iuhealth.org
Krista Ward, CCLS - Inpatient
317.944.1143 (office)
Kward6@iuhealth.org
Jaclyn Kinyon, Child Life Assistant
317.944.1162 (office)
jkinyon@iuhealth.org
Education Liaison
The Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health school programs realize that your school-aged child needs to continue in school regardless of the fact that they have been diagnosed with a hematological/oncological disorder. The Education Liaison is a Masters prepared teacher who is licensed by the state of Indiana. Riley at IU Health provides teaching assistance, which can aid in coordinating classroom assignments, in providing attendance information, and in setting up special services with your child's school.
Terri Bolles, M.Ed
317.944.1147 (office)
tbolles@iuhealth.org
Stacy Willett, BS
317.944.1164
swillett@iuhealth.org
Chaplain
Indiana University Health believes in total patient care that includes the mind, body, and spirit. Chaplains are part of the care team and focus on the spiritual, emotional, and cultural needs of patients and families. They have Masters degrees and advanced training to provide respectful, compassionate interfaith care. Some of the services that your chaplain can provide include support to help you and your child adjust to a diagnosis/illness, questions of meaning or purpose, crisis support, and help with making difficult decisions. Chaplains also offer prayer, rituals and sacraments and family clergy are welcome to visit you and your family while here at Riley at IU Health. Chaplains are in-house and available 24 hours a day.
317.944.7415
Care Coordinator
The role of the Care Coordinator is to ensure that patient care is as efficient and appropriate as possible. This continuum of care encompasses outpatient hospital care, inpatient care, and care required in the home. The Care Coordinator works in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and caregivers in order to best identify the patient's needs and to make the appropriate adjustments and referrals.
Joyce Crane, RN
317.948.0808 (office)
cranej@iuhealth.org
Anita Johnson, RN
317.948.0807 (office)
ajohnson@iuhealth.org