{"id":349737,"date":"2026-07-23T11:39:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T11:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/349737\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T11:39:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T11:39:11","slug":"from-crisis-to-contribution-tampa-magazine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/349737\/","title":{"rendered":"From Crisis to Contribution – Tampa Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Giving back can mean different things: repaying a kindness, returning a favor or providing for those who need it most. For Deanna and Howard Bayless, giving back to St. Joseph\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital<\/a> came naturally after its physicians saved the life of their 17-month-old daughter, Emily, following her diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma in 2005, the fifth-rarest pediatric cancer. As Lakeland natives, they had never walked through the doors of St. Joseph\u2019s until that December day, their heads spinning as if in a dark storm.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything happened so fast,\u201d Deanna Bayless says. \u201cWe were still in shock about all the unknowns, but the next morning, the physicians sat on the bed like a friend and spoke to us very compassionately. The level of trust we had with that oncology group saved our daughter\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"The Bayless family shows their support at the St. Joseph\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital Foundation Heroes Ball. (Photography Courtesy of Tacy Briggs-Troncoso)<\/p>\n

\"\"After six weeks of radiation and 52 weeks of chemotherapy, Emily is now a healthy 22-year-old college senior. Her parents have since dedicated themselves to supporting St. Joseph\u2019s. It started with building a bookcase for the waiting room and led to the Bayless Cancer Institute, the only place in Tampa Bay offering pediatric neuro-oncology, pediatric neurosurgery and radiation oncology under one roof.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, it\u2019s easy when the root reason is a child and saving a life,\u201d Howard Bayless says.<\/p>\n

Most recently, the St. Joseph\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital Foundation<\/a> announced gifts from the Bayless and Park families totaling $4.5 million to advance pediatric oncology care at Pagidipati Children\u2019s Hospital at St. Joseph\u2019s, expected to open in 2030.<\/p>\n

Across Tampa Bay, families like the Baylesses turn their hospital experiences into philanthropic gifts that help expand technology, research and patient care for future generations.<\/p>\n

\"\"Tara and David Ruberg at the annual Tampa General Hospital Foundation gala, a few weeks before David\u2019s passing. (Photography Courtesy of Tampa General Hospital Foundation)<\/p>\n

At Tampa General Hospital<\/a>, Tara Ruberg chose to honor her late husband, David, after the care he received.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt his core,\u201d Ruberg says of her husband, \u201cDavid was driven by a strong passion for technology and research, and a belief in their power to create meaningful, lasting impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

After his cardiac event, David received extraordinary care and compassion from his physicians at Tampa General, even from a distance, including interventional cardiologist Dr. Fari Matar.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe kindness, dedication and genuine care shown by David\u2019s TGH team meant more than I can put into words,\u201d Ruberg says.<\/p>\n

\"\"Tara Ruberg during the gift-signing ceremony at the TGH Foundation. (Photography Courtesy of Tampa General
Hospital Foundation)<\/p>\n

In keeping with David\u2019s passion for research, Ruberg pledged a $4 million gift naming the David and Tara H. Ruberg Heart and Vascular Research and Innovation Center of Excellence<\/a>, along with the David and Tara H. Ruberg Heart and Vascular Catalyst Fund, supporting new cardiovascular research, patient care and surgical innovation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you pair that kind of support with a strong research infrastructure and the clear commitment of Tampa General\u2019s leadership,\u201d Ruberg adds, \u201cit creates an environment where talented physicians and medical scientists want to collaborate and innovate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Tara Ruberg with Foundation VP Taylor Baker and TGH Foundation President Frann Leppla following the sign installation for the David and Tara H. Ruberg Heart and Vascular Research and Innovation Center of Excellence. (Photography Courtesy of Tampa General
Hospital Foundation)<\/p>\n

Across the bay in St. Petersburg at All Children\u2019s Hospital<\/a>, husband and wife Akash Chandawarkar and Carly Spataro experienced this support when their newborn daughter, Anika, was born with the rare condition congenital diaphragmatic hernia. As a plastic surgeon and pharmacist, respectively, they already understood hospital care from the clinician\u2019s perspective. When Anika underwent an eight-hour surgery at 1 week old, they suddenly found themselves on the other side, navigating months of procedures while also being displaced during hurricanes Helene and Milton.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey treated her like their own child,\u201d Spataro says of the multidisciplinary congenital diaphragmatic hernia team at All Children\u2019s. \u201cWe got lucky that this just happened to be in our backyard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Born with a rare congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 1-week-old Anika underwent an eight-hour surgery. Today, she is a happy 2-year-old. (Photography Courtesy of Gabriel Burgos)<\/p>\n

The family has documented Anika\u2019s recovery on Instagram, @surgeon_dad<\/a>, where Anika is now a happy 2-year-old alongside her older sister, Aria. They continue working with the organizations that supported them, including the All Children\u2019s Fund<\/a>, TinyHero<\/a>, Casey Cares<\/a> and Ronald McDonald House<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes it frictionless for parents in this situation,\u201d Chandawarkar says. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t need to be sought out. We knew that somebody was helping us in the background.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moving forward, Chandawarkar and Spataro aim to continue raising awareness and support for All Children\u2019s and the organizations that cared for Anika. They hope to encourage greater support for physicians and staff in both research and the demands of everyday patient care.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to find ways to make their lives in the ICU a good experience for them, too,\u201d Chandawarkar says.<\/p>\n

\"\"Carly Spataro (left), Akash Chandawarkar (right) and their daughter, Anika, (center) thriving after Anika\u2019s health journey.(Photography Courtesy of Gabriel Burgos)<\/p>\n

For these families, giving back means ensuring future families receive the same kindness, compassion and level of care they experienced at St. Joseph\u2019s, Tampa General and All Children\u2019s. Kate Sawa, president of St. Joseph\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital Foundation and BayCare chief philanthropy officer, is proud of the generosity shown throughout Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese gifts reflect something deeply personal,\u201d Sawa says, \u201ca belief that when children get the care they need, whole families and communities are transformed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emily Bayless now plans to work in pediatric neuroscience and counseling, providing children undergoing chemotherapy with the same support she received as a toddler. Deanna and Howard Bayless hope their family\u2019s story and philanthropy encourage others throughout Tampa Bay to give back to the physicians, staff and organizations that helped them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we received was our daughter\u2019s life,\u201d Howard Bayless says. \u201cI want everyone to have that.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n

Looking for the best doctor? Check out our Top Doctors List<\/a>. Or if you\u2019d like to advertise with us, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n