Leadership and Legacy: Murray Clark’s Journey with Riley Children’s Foundation

Murray Clark recently concluded a four-year term as chair of Riley Children's Foundation Board of Governors. He shares more about his passion for children's health and his time serving Riley Children's Foundation, as well as the recent planned gift he and his wife, Dr. Janet Clark, made through the Legacy Challenge.

We thank him for his impact and service.

How did you first get involved with Riley Children’s Foundation?

My first involvement was when my friend Jim Morris contacted me about the possibility of joining the Foundation’s Board of Governors. Given my affinity for Riley Hospital for Children and my family’s connections there, I was thrilled and humbled, particularly coming from a great Hoosier who I so admired and who was so impactful regarding children’s health.

What are you most proud of in your tenure as board chair?

There are so many from which to choose. The Board itself is comprised of high achieving, wonderful individuals who share the passionate commitment to the work of the Foundation and children’s health. I am extraordinarily proud of the Foundation’s impactful role in the exceptional work and advancements at the hospital and the medical school. And because of the work of many people, the Foundation and its staff have really stepped up and increased fundraising in a meaningful way.

What would most people be surprised to know about Riley Children’s Health or Riley Children’s Foundation?

I think people are amazed at the transformational advancements in research and development associated with the hospital as well as the breadth of care and cutting-edge medical treatments for children there. As regards the Foundation, we have been around 103 years, longer than the hospital. In fact, the hospital began with funds from the Foundation.

You and your wife, Dr. Janet Clark, decided to leave a planned gift through the Legacy Challenge. What motivated you to do so?

There’s no greater beneficiary in planned giving than Riley and the Foundation. Plus, it’s rare that you can make a planned gift like this and see it put into action earlier. Riley is so important to our community — to this city, to this state. It’s an anchor institution and a transformational hospital. It’s the true state-wide children’s hospital with a mission to treat everybody who walks through that door. So, leaving a gift to Riley through this Challenge made total sense to us.