Fifth graders taking part in their Junior Achievement (JA) field trip to the Muma JA BizTown in north Tampa on Sept. 29 had a new ‘storefront’ to staff and visit – a health care setting sponsored and created through the partnership of USF Health and Tampa General Hospital.

With cheers and applause from dozens of Carrollwood Elementary School fifth graders, a ceremonial ribbon was cut by BizTown “Mayor” Justin Allen and “CEO” of USF Health/TGH Maddie Newton, both Carrollwood Elementary students, along with USF President Judy Genshaft, Tampa General President Jim Burkhart, and USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Dean Dr. Charles Lockwood.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony made it official.

The new USF Health/TGH space was open for business and young doctors, nurses, pharmacists, administrators and nutritionists filled the space and got to work as fellow classmates filed in.

Based in the Bill Poe Junior Achievement Center near the University of South Florida, the Pam and Les Muma JA Biztown offers a well-coordinated program that allows young students to get to know the business world by working in storefronts sponsored by companies. Students come dressed professionally, some even in suits and bowties, ready to take on their assigned roles.

The new USF Health/TGH health care ‘facility’ offers the young ambitious students a team-based, highly interactive experience and exposes the young students to the fields of medicine, nursing, public health, pharmacy, physical therapy and other health professions, inspiring them to consider careers as practitioners in these disciplines or as health care executives.

The Carrollwood Elementary School fifth-graders who were among the first to staff the USF Health/TGH health facility.

The health care experience offers five stations that represent key areas from USF Health, including a patient simulator in an operating room, a pharmacy and a nutrition and wellness center.

Setting the tone of celebration and calling the new space a great opportunity, Pam Muma told the students that they are among the more than 128,000 fifth graders to rotate through  JA BizTown since it opened in 2005.

Pam Muma welcomes Carrollwood Elementary to JA BizTown.

“As you know, Junior Achievement gives you the skills needed to be successful in the future,” Pam Muma said. “Today is your day and marks the grand opening of a new storefront of two very special partners. It’s a space to learn, but to have fun, as well.”

“We hope thousands of you come and visit this new space and learn all about how we work together at USF Health and Tampa General,” Pres. Genshaft said. “So we’re pleased that you’re here and we’re very happy to have USF Health and Tampa General together. We work together as partners all the time. So welcome to your new storefront.”

Speaking of a long-time successful partnership with USF Health, TGH President Jim Burkhart said he “was particularly proud to co-sponsor this storefront to provide a connection for students between working hard and personal success.”

TGH President and CEO Jim Burkhart urges students to succeed.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Last year, Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay reached 92,660 students in the Tampa Bay area.

Gabriel registers USF President Judy Genshaft and puts on identification bracelet.

Checking the heart of a ‘patient’ with some coaching.

From left, Robin DeLaVergne (TGH Foundation), Les and Pam Muma, Mike Gorsage (TGH Strategy and Business Development), USF President Judy Genshaft, Dr. Rocky, TGH President and CEO Jim Burkhart, USF Health MCOM Dean Dr. Charles Lockwood, and Chief Operating Officer and USF Health Vice Dean Dr. Edmund Funai.

Dr. Rocky D. Bull welcomed everyone to Muma JA BizTown.

Photos by Eric Younghans, video by Sandra C. Roa, USF Health Communications.