Tessa Koepke: 2026 Riley Champion presented by Kroger

If you have picked up a book at the Medical & Molecular Genetics outpatient clinic at Riley Hospital for Children, chances are Tessa Koepke donated that book.

Since she was 3 years old, Tessa has donated books by the wagonful to the hospital. From board books for babies to novels for teens, and even titles for parents, there was something for everyone.

Tessa and her mother, Kim, rallied their community in La Porte, collecting donations from friends, family and strangers to build their library of love. Each visit, Tessa and her mom would load up their Riley red wagon with books and wheel them into the clinic — a tradition that grew along with her.

Now 17, Tessa says she feels like she grew up at Riley Hospital. At three days old, Tessa was diagnosed with a rare inherited metabolic disorder — medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency — that prevents the body from converting certain fats into energy, especially during fasting or illness. Since then, her family has been making the three-hour trip to Riley where Tessa saw Bryan Hainline, M.D., one of the state’s leading experts on metabolic disorders.

Early diagnosis and specialized care at Riley have allowed Tessa to live a full and active life, something that wasn’t always possible for children with MCAD. As a young adult, Tessa sees Erin Conboy, M.D. She’s able to do virtual visits, which will come in handy next fall when Tessa starts college.

“Our Riley care team was always there to listen, help and understand what was going on. We called them all the time,” Kim said. “Without Riley, we would have certainly had major issues and a delayed diagnosis.”

Because of MCAD, Tessa’s body can’t convert stored fats into energy. She follows a low-fat diet and must avoid going more than 12 hours without eating. As a volleyball player and active high school student, Tessa makes it a priority to stay hydrated and always have snacks on hand.

Tessa plans to work in the medical field so she can help other people just like her. She credits her experience growing up with Riley’s specialized care for sparking her interest in healthcare.

“Riley has always been a safe space for me, somewhere that I know I’ll be taken care of,” Tessa said. “If we didn’t have Riley when I was little, I don’t know what we would have done.”