‘What If There Were a Better Way?’
How Riley Surgeons Are Advancing Care Through the SOL Foundation Surgical Innovation Fund

In operating rooms and clinics around the world, pediatric surgeons face times when the need for innovation is not theoretical. It is urgent — when the right instrument doesn’t exist, when current tools limit what is possible, and when a safer approach could mean a better future for a child.

In those situations, progress begins with a simple question: What if there were a better way?

The SOL Foundation Surgical Innovation Fund was created to provide answers.

Established through a generous philanthropic investment from the SOL Foundation, the fund supports ideas that advance surgical techniques and technology and improve outcomes for children. That commitment is now being realized through the inaugural group of funded projects, each focused on addressing pressing challenges in pediatric surgical care.

A representative from SOL Foundation shared their reason for establishing the program: “When most people think about Riley Children’s Health, most people, rightly so, think about the kids (or Riley Kids). Having been on the inside, and seeing the caregivers in action, what becomes evident is that the quality of care depends on the quality and commitment of the caregivers. So at the SOL Foundation we want to do what we can to help ensure that we attract, retain and inspire the best caregivers so Riley continues to be one of the top children's hospitals in the nation.”

Added Mark Cain, MD, Surgeon‑in‑Chief at Riley Children’s Health: “The SOL Foundation made this gift because they believe in investing in people and culture. By supporting surgeon‑driven innovation, this fund reinforces Riley as a place where talented clinicians want to come, want to stay, and want to do their best work for the benefit of children.”

Inaugural Funded Projects

• Preventing Vision Loss in Children: Some children lose their vision not because it cannot be saved, but because damage to the nerves of the eye goes undetected until it is too late. At Riley, pediatric plastic surgeon Gregory Borschel, MD, knows how difficult it can be to diagnose this condition early, particularly when existing testing tools are not designed for children and are increasingly unavailable. This project focuses on developing a simple way to assess corneal sensation so doctors can identify risk sooner and help protect a child’s vision.
• Making Surgery Safer for Infants and Newborns: Minimally invasive surgery has transformed pediatric care, but for infants and newborns, even small equipment challenges can create real risk. During these delicate procedures, instruments that shift or lose position can interrupt surgery and compromise safety. Pediatric surgeon Jonathan Vacek, MD, is working to address this challenge by developing a surgical device designed specifically for the smallest patients. The goal is to improve stability, reduce interruptions, and make surgery safer for babies and their families.
• Improving Care for Children with Dangerous Kidney Conditions: When a child’s kidney becomes blocked, quick action can be lifesaving. Yet in urgent situations, limited access to specialized tools or imaging can delay care when time matters most. Jin Kyu Kim, MD, a pediatric urologist at Riley, is developing a new 3D printed needle guidance tool that can be attached to an ultrasound probe to help doctors safely and quickly access the kidney without relying on radiation. This innovation aims to speed up treatment, reduce complications, and improve outcomes for children facing kidney emergencies.

“We are profoundly grateful to the SOL Foundation for their generosity and their belief in what is possible for children when innovation is supported,” said Courtney Roberts, President & CEO of Riley Children’s Foundation. “Philanthropy like this makes it possible to move ideas into action and translate innovation into meaningful impact for children and families.”

Looking Ahead

By supporting ideas like these, the SOL Foundation Surgical Innovation Fund is helping ensure that innovation continues to translate into better care for children. Additional projects will be funded later this year as this work moves forward.

“We believe the best innovations in care happen when people come together around shared purpose,” Dr. Cain said. “With philanthropic partnership, we can continue advancing ideas that help children today and shape care for the future.”

What if there were a better way? With donor investment, Riley surgeons are helping answer that question for children and families.