GRAND OPENING OF INTERNATIONAL PLAZA AND BAY STREET AND TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL'S TROPICAL PLAYGROUND OASIS

The Children's play area mirrors the new Muma Children's Hospital at TGH.

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- International Plaza and Bay Street (IP), along with the Muma Children's Hospital at Tampa General Hospital (TGH), will celebrate the grand opening of the newly designed play area at International Plaza on Tuesday, March 4 at 9:30 a.m.

This one-of-a-kind collaboration features a tropical playground oasis taking inspiration from the new Tampa-themed renovations at Muma Children's Hospital. The hospital's pediatric wing recently completed the first phase of renovations, with full construction set to be complete in Winter 2025.

When families find their children in need of healthcare, it can often be a stressful and unimaginable time. The play area attempts to mirror the thoughtfully-designed hospital environment. The goal is that familiarity and feelings of safety, hope and healing are brought to children and their families who may find themselves in need of care.

"International Plaza is thrilled to continue to grow our long-standing partnership with TGH and now the Muma Children's Hospital," said Julia Wyman, Director of Marketing and Sponsorships at International Plaza and Bay Street. "We are sure that many of Tampa Bay's children and tourists that visit the area will be enjoying this play area for years to come!"

In addition to reflecting the children's hospital, the play area gives a nod to landmarks and Tampa Bay region treasures, including: Bayshore Boulevard's balustrades wrapping the play area and a pirate ship and treasure chest to highlight Gasparilla pride.

This new playground is yet another sign of Muma Children's Hospital's dedication to families in the Tampa Bay area," said Nikki Hurley, interim vice president of the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH and TGH Women's Institute. "This newly renovated space blends play with healing in a vibrant and family-friendly environment for all ages to enjoy."

The sponsorship and collaboration spans over five years with TGH and the Muma Children's Hospital.

"Playgrounds are essential for keeping children healthy and active, and our new area offers a space to build strength, coordination and a love for movement," said Dr. Patricia Emmanuel, medical chief of the Muma Children's Hospital, Lewis A. Barness Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. "Muma Children's Hospital is proud to offer a beautiful indoor space for families that promotes physical, emotional and social development in children."

For more information about the play area at International Plaza, visit: https://shopinternationalplaza.com

About International Plaza
International Plaza and Bay Street is the leading shopping and dining destination of Florida's West Coast. The shopping center features over 200 specialty stores and restaurants, including a curated mix of luxury and specialty brands. It is anchored by the only Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus combination in the Gulf Coast region, plus Dillard's, the first RH Gallery in Florida and Dick's House of Sport. Bay Street, the center's open-air dining destination, boasts a one-of-a-kind collection of fast-casual restaurants including The Capital Grille, Rocco's Taco's & Tequila Bar, Whiskey Cake, The Cheesecake Factory and more. Conveniently located adjacent to the Tampa International Airport and less than five miles from the Port of Tampa; visitors from over 50 miles can receive access to Shop & Dine that is full of discounts and special offers from select resstaurants and retailers. Explore stores, dining, events and deals at shopinternationalplaza.com, facebook.com/InternationalPlazaandBayStreet,internationalplaza (Instagram) and intlplazabayst (Snapchat).

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Hospitals, with two medical specialties ranking among the top 20 in the nation and eight medical specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by three prestigious Forbes magazine rankings – in the top 100 nationally in the 2024 America's Best Large Employers, the top 50 in Florida in the 2024 America's Best Employers by State and the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2022, provided a net community benefit of approximately $240.3 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It was the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant center in 2024 and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North, which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, two TGH Outpatient Centers, TGH Virtual Health, and 20 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by the Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

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SOURCE International Plaza and Bay Street