David Biggerstaff hadn’t been president of Riley Children’s Health long when he met a young boy who would remind him exactly why he took the job.

Flying home to Indianapolis, Biggerstaff noticed a boy walking down the airplane aisle, uncertain and scanning for a seat. Biggerstaff offered the open spot beside him, and the boy hesitated for only a moment before settling in. Then he noticed the Riley red wagon logo on Biggerstaff’s jacket.

“Oh,” the boy asked, “do you work at Riley?”

“I just joined,” Biggerstaff replied. “How do you know Riley?”

The boy beamed. “I’m a patient at Riley. I have my last appointment on Wednesday. I’m hoping to be cleared."

It was a short conversation—but a powerful one.

“Just hearing his story and how we’ve impacted his life reminded me what a privilege it is to serve here,” Biggerstaff says.

A week later, in a twist of fate, the two crossed paths again at a local grocery store. “He came right up and said, ‘I sat next to you on the plane!’ And then he told me, with the biggest smile, that after this scary health complication, he can go back to doing the things he loves. He can just be a kid.”

It’s exactly the kind of moment that has reaffirmed for Biggerstaff what Riley Children’s means—not just in Indiana, but across the country.

Biggerstaff, who stepped into the role earlier this year, brings decades of leadership experience in healthcare systems across the U.S., including in Texas and Colorado. He says the Riley reputation—and more importantly, its mission—are what made the decision to move to Indiana an easy one.

“Riley is such an incredible institution. Its reputation stretches far beyond Indiana,” he says. “I’ve had colleagues from all over the country—doctors, nurses, leaders—reach out to say, ‘I trained at Riley,’ or ‘I support the Foundation.’ There’s this incredible national affection for what Riley stands for.”

That reach and reputation are anchored in a century-long legacy of clinical excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the health of children. But Biggerstaff is also looking ahead—to the next century.

Every Child Deserves Riley

Biggerstaff began his presidency during a landmark moment: the public launch of Every Child Deserves Riley, a historic $300 million comprehensive fundraising campaign—the largest in Riley’s history.

To him, the phrase isn’t just a tagline. It’s a call to action.

“When I hear those words, I think about Riley’s essential role in Indiana. We are the voice of child health in this state,” he says. “We’re essential to the parents seeking world-class treatment, to the pediatricians and family doctors looking for answers, and to the future of healthcare in Indiana.”

That future, he emphasizes, depends heavily on philanthropy.

“We just celebrated 100 years. But if we’re going to thrive for the next 100, we need continued investment—especially in our academic and research programs. That support fuels clinical innovation and helps us do things that healthcare economics alone can’t sustain.”

Priorities and Possibilities

So what will success look like at the end of the first year of Biggerstaff’s tenure?

“I’ve been focused on understanding what it means to keep Riley essential—where we’re excelling and where we need to improve access,” he says. “Mental health, for example, is one of those areas that clearly needs continued investment. Our kids and adolescents are facing real challenges.”

Biggerstaff is also looking to grow several high-acuity programs, including hematology/oncology, cardiovascular care, and maternal-fetal medicine. And as he tackles strategic planning and work on system-wide priorities, he continues to focus on the heart and soul of Riley: people.

“My favorite thing about Riley so far? The culture. The passion. The people,” he says. “There’s a deep dedication here—to each other, to our mission, to the families we serve. It’s really something special we need to continue investing in.”

Leading with Heart—and a Team Mentality

Asked what shaped his leadership style, Biggerstaff credits two major influences: team sports and family.

“Sports taught me the value of playing your role, whether you’re the star or supporting cast,” he says. “It takes everyone to win. And family—it taught me how leadership is about more than just goals. It’s about aspirations, about helping people grow, not just in their work but in who they are.”

It’s why, if given the chance to shadow any role at Riley, Biggerstaff wouldn’t choose just one. He’d spend a day with a surgeon. Then maybe a child life specialist—even a medical dog handler made the list.

“I’m interested in all of it—from the incredibly technical work we do, to the joy and comfort we provide in family support services.”

Exploring Indiana—and Investing in It

As summer approaches, the Biggerstaff family is working through their Indiana “bucket list,” which includes the Indy 500 to a Notre Dame football game, to exploring French Lick and teeing off at Brickyard Crossing.

But David Biggerstaff is also looking forward to something bigger: helping the Riley community continue to dream.

“This is a moment of tremendous opportunity,” he says. “We have the history, the team, the passion—and now, with the support of our donors, we can build the future that every child in Indiana deserves.”