St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa Makes Halloween a Treat for Hospitalized Kids

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Oct 31, 2019, 17:46 ET

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 31, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The hallways of St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa were invaded by princesses, superheroes, video game characters and Baby Shark today. Some came on foot, others arrived in wheelchairs and strollers, and all were in search of treats.

The holiday fun was part of St. Joseph's Children's Hospital's annual Halloween parade, which is organized by the hospital's Child Life team.

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital patient Shanella Fisher, age 9, loaded up on treats and fun during a special Halloween parade held at the Tampa hospital on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019.

Fourteen-year-old Matthew Balogh and dozens of other pediatric patients celebrated Halloween by trick-or-treating throughout St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019.

"Halloween is a day that most kids look forward to, a day to dress up, play pretend and of course trick-or-treat," said Hadley Trull, child life supervisor at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. "When children are hospitalized on Halloween, their expectations remain the same, which is why our Child Life team organizes a day of fun-filled holiday activities for our pediatric inpatients."

During the event, costumed team members from throughout the hospital staffed more than 50 decorated tables as pediatric patients, joined by siblings and other family members, went trick-or-treating throughout the hospital hallways.

"The entire hospital collaborates to make the Halloween Parade something special for the patients to remember," Trull added. "This annual event helps to promote normalcy and adds some much needed distraction and fun to the hospital environment."

To see photos from the Halloween parade, visit St. Joseph's Children's Hospital's Facebook page: 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