Dr. Emily Sims

I have had the privilege of working as a pediatric endocrinologist and physician-scientist at Riley Hospital for Children for over a decade. My clinical practice and research are focused on type 1 diabetes, a chronic autoimmune condition that requires lifelong insulin therapy. My goal is to find ways to identify and intervene early in the disease process, aiming to delay or reduce the need for insulin replacement and improve the quality of life for affected patients and their families. I feel fortunate to approach this challenge from multiple angles—whether through basic science experiments, analyzing blood samples, or conducting clinical trials. It is especially rewarding to see how advances in this field are making a real difference for the patients we care for in the pediatric endocrine clinic.

Outside of work, I’m a busy mom to three energetic boys and am married to an incredibly charming and supportive husband, who also serves patients at Riley and IU Health. In my spare time, I enjoy running, arts and crafts, and singing karaoke (poorly). While I have zero experience in ballroom dancing, I love music and dancing at parties, so I’m excited to see where my involvement in Reason to Dance takes me!

In my work as both a clinical doctor and research scientist, I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact of programs that benefit from Reason to Dance. The Child Life department at Riley is an invaluable resource, helping our youngest and most vulnerable patients through scary procedures and hospital stays. At the same time, the research teams at the Wells Center for Pediatric Research are tirelessly working to redefine the standards of pediatric care. I feel incredibly fortunate to support this work in my everyday job, and I’m thrilled to further contribute to this mission through this exciting event.