Conference Schedule

Kathryn Kirkpatrick has been the coordinator of the school liaison program in the Division of Hematology/Oncology/BMT at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for the past 18 years. Her program has expanded over the years, from serving only patients with brain tumors, to include services for all sections of the division. Kathryn was a founding member and board member of APHOES and an active participant in AECMN prior to the merge into HEAL. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology, and has a strong interest in school belonging and connectedness, particularly for our students with chronic medical conditions.

Amy Fender joined the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation in January of 2023 after teaching elementary school for 17 years in the public school systems of southwest Virginia. As an Education Navigator at Carilion Children’s in Roanoke, VA, she works with childhood cancer patients and survivors to ensure they are receiving an appropriate education. Amy attends school meetings with parents, provides staff and class inservices, and assists students with any learning needs during hospital stays and clinic visits.

Amy Godkin is Executive Director of ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to making life better for children with cancer and their families in Virginia through family support, education and community & connection. Under Amy’s leadership, ASK has expanded to serve children at all five primary treatment centers across the Commonwealth. Amy currently serves Vice Chair of the Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia, where she is working to coordinate pediatric efforts across the state. She also serves on the national Coalition Against Childhood Cancer board, where she just finished her service as chair. However, her most important role in the cancer community is as mom to her son, who is a survivor.

Rebeca Grysko, PhD, CBIS is the School Program Coordinator at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, FL. She oversees the delivery of educational support and school liaison services for patients across all inpatient units. As a Special Education Teacher and Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Dr. Grysko is committed to improving educational outcomes for students with chronic health conditions and/or disabilities. Her areas of specialty include reading assessment and intervention and school re-entry support for children with acquired brain injury.

Stefanie Hayes is an Education Specialist in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s National Hospital, where she has supported pediatric hematology, oncology, and blood and marrow transplant patients for the past 8 years. In this role, she works with patients during and after treatment with educational coordination, planning, and goal-setting and has helped lead an effort to make hospital-based teaching available as a standard of care for patients. Prior to becoming an Education Specialist, she worked in the Volunteer Services Department at Children’s National for 3 years. Stefanie has also worked for a non-profit organization, Best Buddies, where she fostered acceptance and inclusion in her community. Stefanie received her Bachelor of Science in Education, with a focus on special education, from Miami University in Ohio.

Megan Connolly, Ph.D., is a pediatric psychologist within Children’s National Hospital. She provides clinical psychology services to patients and families in the Divisions of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation. She also serves as an assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Connolly collaborates closely with the education and medical teams to support patients’ school functioning, including school re-entry following treatment or hospitalizations, school accommodations, and coping with medical conditions in the school setting. Dr. Connolly’s clinical research program focuses on improving quality of life, including school functioning, for patients with sickle cell disease through non-pharmacological approaches to pain management and interventions to enhance a patient and family’s management of chronic illness. Dr. Connolly received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University.

Michele Capurso is an Associate Professor of Educational and Developmental Psychology at the University of Perugia, Italy. He began his career as a schoolteacher and later worked as a hospital teacher. He also served as the Head of Practical Teacher Training programs at the University of Perugia. Capurso has authored numerous books and articles on topics such as children’s fears and coping mechanisms, understanding of illness, didactics, and communication. He has been a member of the Board of HOPE for eight years and served as President for two years. He is the founder and current Chief Editor of the journal Continuity in Education.

We report here on a retrospective and narrative-based qualitative research aimed at investigating children lived experiences of a medical visit, and on a subsequent paper-based facilitation intervention aimed at improving children’s direct questioning to their physician.

Christie Ruehl is the Senior Program Manager for the Educational Achievement Partnership Program (EAPP) at Children’s Wisconsin. Christie’s path to the EAPP began as an education and healthcare advocate for her brother, who was born with a complex medical condition that caused learning difficulties. Christie connects experience in law, research, and advocacy to guide school success for families affected by chronic illness. Christie earned a Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law (2006), a Master of Business Administration from Stetson University (2009), and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison (2002).

Kyle Landry, former Milwaukee Public Schools elementary educator, is the founder/manager of the Educational Achievement Program at Children’s Wisconsin. Over 9+ years of program growth, Landry has built a team of experienced educators specially trained in neurodevelopmental sequelae of complex illness, including mental and behavioral health, and the related complexities of social determinants of health. Landry’s work standardizing/validating assessment, intervention, and outcomes processes, as well as associated tools, has led to several research grants, authorship in a nursing textbook, and two recent medical journal publications. Landry holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Cultural Foundations of Community and Education from UW – Milwaukee. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Healthcare Leadership to round out her expertise braiding together the complex systems of education and healthcare.

Alex Lion, DO MPH, is a pediatric neuro-oncologist whose scholarship focuses on the integration of patient religion and spirituality into their care, with special attention to religious and spiritual diversity. He has co-authored multiple publications in this area including ethics publications on physician prayer and how to address parents praying for a miracle, a review of chaplain notes with insights how to integrate chaplain care into medical practice, as well as a pilot study of interprofessional spiritual care in pediatric hematology/oncology. Dr. Lion currently holds a grant to provide team-based spiritual care training across the statewide IU Health system. Dr. Lion is the co-director of the Religion and Spirituality in Medicine Scholarly Concentration at the IU School of Medicine. He is also the associate director of the Evans Center for the Integration of Spiritual and Religious Values at IU Health, in which he hosts a quarterly spirituality research colloquium. On a national level, Dr. Lion sits on the executive leadership committee for the Conference on Medicine and Religion, which he is leading a team from IU in hosting in 2024 in Indianapolis.

Inspired to speak for those who could not speak for themselves, Lani became a lawyer at the age of 23. Although she built the picture-perfect life, Lani fought a silent battle with depression, anxiety, and chronic PTSD. She spent over 10 years in counseling, and Lani finally found true healing and unshakable inner peace by exploring the subconscious mind. Lani returned to school and is now a clinical and quantum healing hypnotherapist. She also trained with gurus, shamans, and healers around the world to cultivate her gifts as an intuitive healer. Lani shared her healing journey in her first book, Rebirth of a Sage. Untethered from the trauma that once controlled her life, Lani learned to wield the love and light within and live a life of purpose. It is her mission to help others do the same.

Mindy Elliott is the Director of Education for Veritas Collaborative, a specialty hospital system for the treatment of eating disorders. She developed the academic programming since Veritas opened in 2012, and is dedicated to providing individualized academic and transition services to meet the unique needs of each patient-student. Mindy serves on the executive board of the HEAL Association, is an Associate Editor of the international journal, Continuity in Education (CiE), and has presented dozens of workshops on hospital school practices, transition planning, eating disorder effects on the student, twice exceptionality, and the path to submitting articles for publication in the CiE journal.

Jill Haskins, Indiana Field Coordinator for the National Microschooling Center, is helping to build an ecosystem of permissionless education in Indiana. She is the Executive Director and a Classroom Teacher at Streams of Hope Christian School located in Fort Wayne, IN. Streams of Hope is a 1st-12th grade microschool with mixed age classrooms focusing on fostering independent learners. Jill is also an Indiana state licensed teacher, a former public school teacher, and homeschooling mom of 3.

Lizette Valles, M.Ed., is the founder of Compass Educators: A Holistic Educational Services Center & Ellemercito Academy, a Los Angeles-based microschool with a focus on experiential/place-based learning. Her mission is to nurture students who think critically, develop a growth mindset, and demonstrate empathy. She is dedicated to reimagining education, implementing trauma-informed approaches in out-of-system school models such as the fast-growing small school movement, and providing guidance to families seeking personalized learning environments that will best serve their children. For over 16 years, her career in education has included teaching middle/high school English, serving as a K-12 librarian, publishing a bilingual children’s book, launching supportive alternative education programs for families, organizing the largest free virtual summer camp during the pandemic, founding Compass Educators in 2020 and Ellemericito Academy in 2021, and growing the microschooling ecosystem in California as the California & Spanish-speaking Field Coordinator with the National Microschooling Center.

Amber Okolo-Ebube, a Texas native, is dedicated to fostering inclusive communities and alternative educational approaches. With over a decade of experience and a family of seven, including her husband and five children, she has demonstrated a remarkable ability to create supportive environments. In response to the need for diverse educational options, she founded Leading Little Arrows, an initiative recognized nationally in esteemed publications such as Forbes and The 74 Million. Honored as a Quarterfinalist for the prestigious Yass Prize and recipient of support through the Vela Next Step grant, Amber’s work continues to gain acclaim. Today, Amber serves as a speaker, facilitator, and advocate for families, particularly those navigating unique educational needs. Residing in North Texas, she remains dedicated to inspiring and empowering communities. Through engagements at conferences like SXSW, she shares insights on fostering inclusive environments and innovative approaches in education. Amber’s commitment to empowering families and advancing alternative educational models resonates both locally and nationally.

Oscar Valles’s teaching career spans over a decade serving primarily as a K-12 teacher, coach, and athletic director. He follows an experiential and relational teaching model knowing full well that connection precedes instruction. He is a former English Language Learner (ELL) teacher and loves to encourage and mentor students to continue striving for excellence even in the midst of difficulties especially when acclimating to a new culture/school environment. Thriving both in and out of the classroom with experience in reparative parenting/teaching strategies as a foster adoptive father, leading student humanitarian trips to México, coaching middle school basketball and football for several years, and privately homeschooling students as a support to families during the 2020-2021 school year have been some of his career highlights. He is currently the principal/lead teacher at Ellemercito Academy and the California/Spanish-speaking field coordinator with the National Microschooling Center. He is enjoying microschooling tremendously as project/place-based learning enables students to appreciate the learning process in a way that most never have before!

Bio coming soon.

Eleanor Knott is a Dallas ISD Hospital / Homebound Teacher and Math Instructional Specialist. She is passionate about educating students in non-traditional settings with thoughtfulness, rigor, and care. She holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and spent 10 years teaching high school math before transitioning to primarily Homebound teaching. Eleanor loves getting to collaborate with students, families, and schools to come up with the best plan for her Homebound students. Outside of work, she enjoys quality time and taking walks with her husband Mike, daughter Sally, and sweet old dog Jack.

Gayle Domsch earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from St. Louis University, a Master’s in Learning Disabilities from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a B.S. in Education from Concordia University-Seward, Nebraska. She has a variety of teaching experience including: five years of regular (single classroom, multi-age, elementary and middle school), three years of gifted instruction, over twenty years in special education (both resource and self-contained), four years of graduate and undergraduate courses, and ten years as a Hospital Based School Teacher. One of her greatest joys is that both her sons and one grandchild are also teachers.

Sarah Steinke has spent her career as a hospital teacher for 23 years. Sarah has taught a variety of patient populations including cancer, bone marrow transplant, psychiatry and complex care. Prior to her time at the hospital, she taught high school social studies and is a mom to 3 kids. Currently she is a School Specialist serving the patients with the highest educational risk for The Center for School Services. She also partners with The University of Cincinnati acting as an adjunct instructor who supervises student teachers. At the hospital she also coordinates many community and university volunteers and student teachers and heads the teacher licensure for the hospital.

Kristin has been providing school support to inpatient students at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for 11 years. She taught in the classroom at Cincinnati Public for 13 years prior coming to CCHMC. Kristin has a BS in Elementary Education (K-8) and an MS in Educational Psychology. When she is not problem solving with her students, she is spending her time with her husband and 3 children.

Heather Wiselogle spent 15 years in a traditional elementary school prior to transitioning to the classroom at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis. Since 2018 she has supported over 130 oncology patients and families with school needs in and out of the hospital before, during, and after treatment. She also serves as hospital teacher/liaison to other inpatient units and outpatient clinics including, but not limited to, PICU, pediatric acute care units, burn unit and outpatient burn clinic, TNICU and adult units with adolescent and/or young adult patients, Women’s Hospital/NICU, and speciality outpatient clinics. The hospital classroom is utilized for school sessions for inpatients (with flexibility to do bedside sessions) to provide patients with a “school away from school” opportunity to keep their academic goals on track in light of an extended hospital stay. Heather also provides liaison and advocacy work to connect school/home/hospital to support patients’ learning needs, re-entry to school, IEP/504 planning and accommodation recommendations. At Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, we pride ourselves in the interdisciplinary team approach, specifically on our Pediatric Support Services Team which encompasses Child Life, Healing Arts, Pet Therapy and School Program.

Kaitlin Knapp, MA, ATR-BC, LMHC is the Clinical Program Manager for the Central and Southern Region, leading Art Therapy, Music Therapy, School Program, Child Life, and Pet Therapy. She is a Board Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a small clinical caseload in addition to her administrative roles at the Hospital. She has been with Ascension St. Vincent since 2015. 

Get to know our local colleagues and their program. Peyton Manning Children’s will showcase their hospital and highlight the great work they do.

The Heart Cart project was designed with the imagination of “What if the cart is filled with art works containing the stories of children in the hospital?” It was envisioned as a transformation of the medical carts into artistic vehicles with artworks that encapsulate the experiences of children who are hospitalized. Hear Cart is filled with stories of young patients in the hospital and fosters communication through works of art.

Kellee Clevenger, B.Ed is an Educational Liaison at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN. Kellee specializes working with patients in the Outpatient Dialysis Unit and all Nephrology patients. Kellee works closely with her patient’s school to ensure they have the support they need while they are receiving dialysis 3 days per week. Kellee has been a hospital educator at Riley Hospital for Children for 8 years.

Lindsay DeWilde, BS is an Educational Liaison at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN. Lindsay specializes in Heart Transplant, Burn/Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, and Rehab patients. Lindsay follows her heart transplant patients for their entire school career post-transplant to ensure they receive the accommodations needed. Lindsay has been a hospital educator at Riley Hospital for Children for 12 years.

Elaina is a DNP-PNP/PhD candidate at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. For her dissertation, she is studying pediatric cancer survivorship and how parent experiences influence their child’s transition to school during or after treatment. Specifically, she is interested in how parents’ experience of support influences child psychosocial outcomes. After completion of her program, she plans to combine both research and practice as a pediatric nurse practitioner to optimize quality of life of the child and family, reduce the burden of late effects, and improve interdisciplinary communication.

Rachel Smilow is the Program Manager for Science Journeys and METEOR. She received her MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History from Notre Dame of Maryland University.

Amy McGrory MA CCLS has been working as a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) for almost 14 years at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). She works as an inpatient unit CCLS on the Transitional Care Center (TCC) and A3N (surgery). Amy is also a backup handler for two of CCHMC’s facility dogs and does a weekly pre-school story time with one or more of them on Seacrest Studio called Dog Tales. Amy has three grown children and lives with her husband in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Upon admission to three pilot units, children age 9-years and under receive an “RRR Bundle” featuring an age-appropriate book, a menu of reading resources at CCHMC and a bookmark describing the importance of shared reading and limiting screen time, with a QR code linked to a free, reading themed mobile app for parents (Reading Bees) developed at CCHMC.

Dr. Naomi Luban is the Vice Chair of Academic Affairs, Senior Hematologist, PI of several NIH grants. She is a tenured Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Her research interests are focused on clinical and translational investigations of transfusion safety and include studies of infectious and non-infectious complications of transfusion including RBC and HLA alloimmunization, graft versus host disease and evidence-based transfusion practices. Studies include the molecular characterization of genes associated with alloimmunization and genetic modifiers of hemoglobin F expression. Dr. Luban has served the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other professional associations in a number of roles including Special Emphasis Panels and review groups and as the transfusion consultant for a series of National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)-supported transfusion studies.

Rachel Smilow is the Program Manager for Science Journeys and METEOR. She received her MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History from Notre Dame of Maryland University.

Sarah has been an education liaison at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital for the past five years. In her current role, she is part of a multidisciplinary team in the NICU-Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program (NCNP): Child and Adolescent Clinic. This program follows patients at risk for educational difficulties based on their medical profile and prior history of congenital heart disease, heart transplantation, and/or prematurity. With a background teaching special education and master’s degree in early childhood education, Sarah is passionate about collaboration with patient families and school teams to optimize patient outcomes in the school setting.

We are a team of hospital school teachers at Duke University Medical Center. After working together at a nearby elementary school in Durham for many years, we slowly transitioned to the Hospital School at Duke and have tried to bring a fresh perspective to educational programming at the hospital, using our combined experience in gifted education, special education, clubs and other extracurriculars to create out-of-the-box learning opportunities at the hospital and bring joy to children and families alike.

We are a team of hospital school teachers at Duke University Medical Center. After working together at a nearby elementary school in Durham for many years, we slowly transitioned to the Hospital School at Duke and have tried to bring a fresh perspective to educational programming at the hospital, using our combined experience in gifted education, special education, clubs and other extracurriculars to create out-of-the-box learning opportunities at the hospital and bring joy to children and families alike.

Lenora Nardelli is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education in Special Education. She began her teaching career in the public-school setting and taught at the primary level for over ten years. In 2017, she began her work at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, as a School Specialist, providing liaison support between the patient’s family, school, and medical team for patients with chronic health conditions. In addition to serving as a school liaison, Lenora is passionate about educating those in the medical field regarding special education and facilitating in the efforts of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to be a School-Friendly Health System.

Debbie South is a School Liaison Specialist with the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) and a member of the multidisciplinary team in the Complex Brain Health and Wellness Clinic. For the past ten years, she has provided support and recommendations to families and school teams when planning patients’ return to school after hospitalization with inpatient rehabilitation. Prior to her liaison position with CCHMC, she taught science for 22 years in both the private and public school settings. She received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in education from Xavier University with a graduate certification from George Washington University in Brain Injury and Transition Services. She recently obtained her certificate as a Brain Injury Specialist through Brain Injury Association of America.

Anthony Gallonio is the President of the National GRACE Foundation.  Anthony and his wife, Michelle started the foundation in 2011 as a way to say thanks to all those who helped them when their then one-year old daughter Grace was diagnosed in 2010.  The foundation provides college admissions and financial aid counseling, advocacy and much more to families affected by pediatric cancer.

In addition to his role at the foundation, Anthony is also the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Services at Rhode Island School of Design.  Anthony has worked in higher education for over 25 years

The college admission process can be overwhelming for any young person.  Those battling cancer face many other obstacles.  This session is designed to provide a framework for helping your AYAs navigate their way to success!

Elaina is a DNP-PNP/PhD candidate at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. For her dissertation, she is studying pediatric cancer survivorship and how parent experiences influence their child’s transition to school during or after treatment. Specifically, she is interested in how parents’ experience of support influences child psychosocial outcomes. After completion of her program, she plans to combine both research and practice as a pediatric nurse practitioner to optimize quality of life of the child and family, reduce the burden of late effects, and improve interdisciplinary communication.

Baron Warren is a national speaker and life coach who works with individuals in the area of personal growth. His passionate speaking style and his tough love approach has motivated, inspired and influence many men around the country and beyond.As a Life Coach since 2012, Barron helped clients break through the obstacles that hold them back in life. By asking the right questions and empowering them with the proper tools and techniques, he helps clients take action in pursuit of their goals and ambitions.

Kimberly Matthews, EdD is a Teacher for the Capital Area Intermediate Unit and educates children at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, PA. Kimberly educates inpatient students, as well as patients in the Outpatient Dialysis Center and the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic. Kimberly provides assistance and support to patients and families by including school personnel and the medical staff to provide a team approach to promote academic success. Kimberly has been in education for over 20 years, certified in general education, special education, and mid-level English. She also holds a degree in Sign Language Interpretation. Outside of her professional duties and in addition to her Executive Board position as a Member-at-Large for HEAL, Kimberly is a proud member of Zeta Phi Bea Sorority, Inc, and serves on the Board for the Ahadi Zetu Foundation, which provides education scholarships to high school students in Central Kenya.

This will be an open forum including discussion and opportunity for development of an information tool to effectively assess, assist, and support patients academically by addressing school needs. What already exists? What is best practice? How do we implement across systems? Bring your thoughts and ideas to this working session.

Talia Fayson has been in the field of education for 18 years.  Prior to starting her career at Children’s Health Talia worked in the local school district as a special education case manager.  Talia started her career at Children’s health as the teacher in psychiatry and moved into the role of psychiatry school services case manager.  She was the 1st to serve in this role creating protocols and assisting families with transitioning their children back to school.  Talia then became the 1^st school services psychiatry program manager.  In this role she has been tasked with creating school services protocols for psychiatry across the hospital and strengthening relationships with schools in the community to better support students’ mental health needs. She has created content for the series Teacher talk and the Childrens’ health podcast to educate teachers on various mental health diagnoses and their impact on student learning.  Talia received her bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and master’s degree from Concordia University.  Talia holds teaching certification in the state of Texas in the following areas of Special Education K-12, Generalist K-4, and a principal certification.  In her free times she enjoys spending time with her husband and 5-year-old son, traveling, and listening to a good true crime podcast.

Ashley Hurse attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a Minor in Business. After graduation, Ashley decided to enter the field of teaching and began her career as a Special Education teacher in 2005. In 2010 she went on to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology from Ashford University. Ashley’s career in education lead her to Children’s Health in 2013 where she began her role as a teacher in the inpatient and day treatment psychiatric unit. From there Ashley went on to support patients on the medical floors in the areas of hemodialysis, pulmonology, and neurology.  Ashley’s passion and dedication to her patients continue to ignite her commitment to the work that she does. Currently, Ashley is the manager of the School Services department where she has supported the expansion of School Services across the organization. Ashley is a servant leader who supports her staff so that they can provide the best care for the patients they serve. Ashley strives to make sure that families are equipped with the right resources to support their child’s academic growth despite their current mental health or medical needs.

In this presentation we will discuss the importance of embedding school support in all areas of psychiatry. We will examine the data from current research and present relevant information. This information guided our team to develop a more individualized school transition plans for our mental health population.

Kellee Clevenger, B.Ed is an Educational Liaison at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN. Kellee specializes working with patients in the Outpatient Dialysis Unit and all Nephrology patients. Kellee works closely with her patient’s school to ensure they have the support they need while they are receiving dialysis 3 days per week. Kellee has been a hospital educator at Riley Hospital for Children for 8 years.

Lindsay DeWilde, BS is an Educational Liaison at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN. Lindsay specializes in Heart Transplant, Burn/Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, and Rehab patients. Lindsay follows her heart transplant patients for their entire school career post-transplant to ensure they receive the accommodations needed. Lindsay has been a hospital educator at Riley Hospital for Children for 12 years.

Heather Homan, BS is an Educational Liaison at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN. Heather specializes working with patients followed by Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Solid Tumor clinicians. Heather assists with school planning, provides ongoing educational support in the inpatient and outpatient setting, and follows her patients throughout their treatments. Heather has been a hospital educator at Riley Hospital for Children for 14 years.

Kristin Lile, BS is an Educational Liaison at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN. Kristin specializes in working with patients followed by Neuro-Oncology, Neurosurgery, Hematology, and Inpatient Rehabilitation. Kristin helps with setting up appropriate school plans, providing ongoing school support in the inpatient and outpatient setting, and following her parents throughout their treatments. Kristin has been a hospital educator at Riley Hospital for Children for 8 years.

Madison Stewart, M.S.Ed. recently stepped into the role as the School Program Manager at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to her current role, Madison served as an Education Liaison at Riley Hospital working with patients followed by Solid Tumor Oncology and Hematology. She also supported students receiving treatment at the Simon Skjodt Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit and the Charis Center for Eating Disorders. Madison shares it is her greatest joy to support patients and families navigating difficult medical journeys and to work alongside some of the best educators in Indiana. Madison has been a hospital educator at Riley Hospital for Children since 2021 and was a Special Education Teacher in Indianapolis Public Schools from 2019-2021.

Stacy Willett, BS is an Educational Liaison at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN. Stacy specializes in Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Inpatient Cystic Fibrosis patients. Stacy follows her leukemia and lymphoma patients during their treatment journey and provides school support post-treatment to ensure they receive the accommodations needed to continue to be successful in school. Stacy has been a hospital educator at Riley Hospital for Children for 21 years.

Welcome to Indianapolis, Indiana! As a pediatric hospital-based school program, the Riley School Program is excited to share about the educational services we provide as a program and provide a glimpse into our important work. Join us for this interactive session to learn about the parts of our program we are proud of, the lessons we have learned along the way, and the projects we are currently working on. This session will feature the amazing schoolteachers with hospital school program experience. Be sure to check out the session to learn about the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital School Program, also located in Indianapolis!

Kris currently serves as a school re-entry coordinator where she assists with all school related matters when pediatric patients are undergoing cancer treatment. She provides training to schools and staff to ensure that they have the tools they need when her patients return to school. With over 15 years as a school coordinator she also mentors new staff, assists with training, and provides resources to patients and families.