Food as medicine: Tampa General launches new meal program with chef Geoffrey Zakarian
Tampa General Hospital
Tampa, Fla.
The quality of hospital food has long been the subject of jokes, even as hospitals have recognized the importance of food as medicine and have worked to provide tasty and healthy meals to their patients. Tampa General Hospital is embracing the importance of food by partnering with celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian, who has developed seasonal menus featuring local produce whenever possible. Moreover, Tampa General is taking it a step further by changing how the food is delivered to their patients.
“Through our partnership with Chef Zakarian, we are demonstrating the role that nutrition plays in the healing process and transforming our menu and delivery model to better meet the needs of our patients,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. “Nutrients from high-quality, wholesome food can support and expedite recovery. By treating food as medicine, we’re setting our patients up for the best possible patient outcomes and long-term success after they leave the hospital.”
Typically, meal deliveries are on a set schedule, meaning food may arrive when a patient isn’t hungry or is undergoing tests or exams out of their room — so the patient not only doesn’t get the nutrition they need, but the food is wasted. The new Patient Room Service program enables patients to choose what they would like and when they would like it. Meals are then made to order and delivered in 45 minutes.
“This partnership will not only lead to a better patient experience, but also better patient outcomes,” said Tanuja Sharma, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician at Tampa General Hospital. “Fresh and healthy foods are an important component of a patient’s healing process. Good nutrition can also address chronic conditions, prevent illness and contribute to a better quality of life.”