New Ronald McDonald House Opens at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
Pediatric patient Summer Greene (center, wearing black) and her family join leaders from St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation, BayCare and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay in cutting the ribbon for the new house on May 7.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and announced the opening dates for its new Ronald McDonald House at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is Tampa Bay's largest provider of children's health services, and having a Ronald McDonald House on campus will expand the resources and support available to families of hospitalized children when they need it the most.
“We are honored to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities in opening the first-ever house on our campus,” said Sarah Naumowich, president of St. Joseph's Children's Hospital and St. Joseph's Women's Hospital. “Caring for our community is part of our DNA, and this milestone opening is an extension of our mission to improve the health of all we serve.”
Naumowich added that whether they are hospitalized for weeks, months or just a few days, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital’s goal is to make patients and their families as comfortable as possible during what is often one of the most stressful times in their lives. “Having a Ronald McDonald House on campus will help us do just that.”
The library inside the new Ronald McDonald House at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital is a cozy and inviting space. The new 10,100-square-foot house is conveniently located on the fourth floor of St. Joseph's Women's Hospital, less than 100 steps away from the neonatal intensive care unit. The new house features 11 bedrooms with private bathrooms, a full kitchen and dining area, a study for remote work, a parent’s lounge, a laundry center, a playroom, and a fitness and well-being center.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay’s construction and development of the new house was made possible through the generosity of donors and community partners, including those contributing $250,000 and above which are St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation, Blake Casper, the Clark Family Foundation, the Klingel Family Foundation, the Lynch Family, The Vineyard Family Foundation, Wendy O’Neill and David Rayner, Raymond James, RMHC Global, Tampa Bay McDonalds Owner Operators, and other anonymous donors.
“We are delighted to unveil our new house at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, a milestone that underscores our dedication to providing a supportive environment for families during their most challenging times," said Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay CEO Lisa Suprenand. “Our deepest gratitude goes out to our donors, partners, and the entire community for turning this vision into a reality.”
Josh and Rylee Loy and Summer Greene and their grandmother, Renee Crotty, check out one of the 11 bedrooms inside the new Ronald McDonald House at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. The new space opens for day-use services on May 13, and overnight family stays will begin on June 3. Families in need can submit a request to stay form on Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay’s website
here.
