Tampa General Hospital picks up 'transformational' donation

Following what Tampa General Hospital and the Tampa General Hospital Foundation call a "transformational" gift, the Tampa General children's hospital will be renamed "Muma Children's Hospital at TGH" in honor of Pam and Les Muma.

The Tampa Bay couple made a donation received in November. The hospital did not specify the amount of the gift in a news release, and a hospital spokesperson declined to elaborate on the size of the donation.

Tampa General officials say the Mumas have been "long-time supporters of the academic health system and passionate advocates for the children of the region."

"Their contribution to Tampa General in support of the Children's Hospital will have a meaningful and lasting impact across the state, most especially on the families and children of our community," says John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General, in the statement. "When we invest in the health and well-being of our children at an early age, we have the opportunity to establish a foundation for a long and healthy life, and by increasing access to exceptional care for the youngest patients who are battling the most complex illnesses, we can help save lives that have just begun."

Hospital officials say the Muma Children's Hospital provides a comprehensive array of specialized children's services and quality medical care to children and their families. The hospital includes a pediatric trauma center verified as Level I by the American College of Surgeons.

The hospital says its treats a range of maladies, from simple injuries to major trauma, and from basic illnesses to complex chronic conditions.

The Mumas are longtime community philanthropists.

Les Muma was a member of the hospital's board of directors and played a pivotal role in cementing and strengthening the partnership between TGH and USF Health, hospital officials say. Pam Muma is a past chair of the TGH Foundation board of trustees and is currently on the "Elevating Excellence" campaign committee, working to advance the foundation.

Pam and Les Muma both graduated from USF in the late 1960s and would later grant $42.1 million to the university. Les Muma is former CEO of Fiserv Inc., a financial services automation company he co-founded in 1984.

Tampa General says it already bears the Muma name throughout its locations and service lines to reflect contributions from the family over the years, including the Muma Chair of Neonatology at USF Health, the Lisa Muma Weitz Cell Laboratory at USF Health and the Jennifer Leigh Muma Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Tampa General.

Tampa General Hospital is a 1,040-bed, nonprofit academic health system. Its footprint includes TGH North, three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties; 17 Tampa General Medical Group primary care offices; TGH Family Care Center Kennedy; TGH Outpatient Center; TGH Virtual Health; and 21 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties.