St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa Hosts Prom Night for Patients

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May 05, 2018, 03:14 ET

TAMPA, Fla., May 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Friday, May 4, 2018, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital hosted a Star Wars-themed prom for more than 50 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.

"Prom is an important milestone that everyone should have a chance to experience, including kids who have a life-limiting or life-threatening diagnosis," said Hadley Trull, supervisor of St. Joseph's Children's Hospital's Child Life team.

The force was strong with these patients at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa. On Friday, May 4, 2018, more than 50 patients traded their hospital gowns for formal attire and danced the night away during a Star Wars-themed prom held in the hospital's auditorium.

Patients at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa traded their hospital gowns for formal attire and danced the night away during a Star Wars-themed prom held in the hospital's auditorium Friday, May 4, 2018.

The special event was an all-day affair that included selecting gowns and suits from a dress shop set up in the hospital, professional hair and wig styling, and pampering by makeup artists. Like all proms, the evening included refreshments, keepsake photos, music and dancing.

"We host this annual event to not only create a very special experience for our patients and their families, but also to provide a sense of normalcy amongst an often stressful and scary chapter in their lives."

Attendees also received their very own light saber and experienced a surprise invasion from members of the Florida Garrison of the 501st Legion dressed as Star Wars characters.

To see highlights from St. Joseph's Children's Hospital's prom, visit: 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 15 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.

SOURCE St. Joseph's Children's Hospital