Hospitalized Kids Get a Prom of their Very Own

Pediatric patients at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa celebrated the important rite of passage that every teen should have, no matter how sick.

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St. Joseph's Children's Hospital

May 01, 2016, 06:58 ET

TAMPA, Fla., May 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa hosted prom night for patients who were unable to attend their own prom due to hospitalization or who, due to chronic or life-threatening conditions, may never get the opportunity. On April 29, 2016, 70 patients exchanged hospital gowns for formal attire to take part in the Alice in Wonderland-themed event held in the hospital's auditorium.

Patients at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa trade their hospital gowns for dresses and prepare to attend a special prom held in the hospital's auditorium Friday, April 29, 2016. Photo by Will Staples

Patients at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa enjoyed music, dancing and dinner during a prom held in their honor Friday, April 29, 2016. The hospital hosts the annual event for patients who were unable to attend their own school dance due to hospitalization or who, due to chronic or life-threatening conditions, may never have the opportunity. Photo by Will Staples

"Like all proms, the special evening included a mix of music, dancing, refreshments, keepsake photos and memories that are sure to last a lifetime," said Christi Schwichtenberg, child life supervisor at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.

Children with chronic or life-threatening conditions sometimes miss or have to delay traditional childhood rituals, such as playing a team sport, slumber parties, learning to drive and participating in high school dances. The Child Life team at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital organizes special events, like prom, in an effort to provide patients with experiences that they might not otherwise have due to treatment and hospitalization.

And because no child should have to miss prom because of an illness or injury, the event is not limited to just high school patients.

"For some seriously ill pediatric patients, this prom may be a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Schwichtenberg. "We think it's a night that every child should have, no matter how sick, which is why we gave them a chance to go to prom now."

To see highlights from St. Joseph's Children's Hospital's prom, visit https://www.facebook.com/stjosephschildrens.

About St. Joseph's Children's Hospital

As Tampa's only dedicated children's hospital, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital is committed to providing everything needed for the health and well-being of children. Part of the BayCare Health System, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital provides more acute medical and surgical pediatric care than all other hospitals in Hillsborough County. From the tiniest baby to the high school quarterback, patients are cared for by doctors who specialize in treating children, in surroundings designed exclusively for kids.

About BayCare Health System

BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 14 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit www.baycare.org.

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SOURCE St. Joseph's Children's Hospital