Paul Gaden, CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital; Rita Case, President, CEO and owner of Rick Case Automotive Group; Kelley Morris, president of the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation 

October 23, 2026 – Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital celebrated a new interactive experience that leads to the outdoor Hope Terrace on the hospital’s fifth floor, made possible through a generous gift from Rita Case and the Rick Case Automotive Group.

 

The custom-designed fun, playful, interactive images come to life in the walkway as patients wave their hands for butterflies to populate the garden, and grass grows under their feet and ripples form in a stream as they walk through.

 

“When I initially walked through this space it was stark white and I thought, we have to transform this walkway. I went to Washington, D.C. and experienced this state-of-the-art technology and that’s when it came to me that we needed that here at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital,” said Rita Case, President, CEO and owner of Rick Case Automotive Group. “It’s so great to see the kids having fun interacting with the wall where they have a chance to explore, imagine and express themselves. We want to see the smiles, hear the laughter and feel their joy.”

 

Case was so thrilled with this project that she expanded it to the emergency department and imaging unit so that children and their families in those areas can also experience the same joy and happiness.

 

“At Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, we believe play is an essential part of healing and helps children experience the joy of simply being kids,” said Kelley Morris, president of the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. “This beautiful new installation will bring moments of joy and creativity to our patients and families. We are incredibly grateful to Rita Case and Rick Case Automotive Group for making it possible. Rita has been a longtime champion of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and is always among the first to ask, ‘How can I help?’ We are so thankful for her generosity, leadership and continued commitment to the children and families we serve.”

 

The interactive experience is a welcome, uplifting distraction designed to spark moments of joy and connection. This experience offers a safe, engaging way for patients to explore, imagine and express themselves, even when mobility challenges or medical limitations make traditional play difficult. It transforms the care environment into one that nurtures creativity, comfort and emotional well-being.

 

“Here at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, we provide exceptional care to the children of this community. But the healing journey is a long journey, and it’s not just about providing clinical care. It’s also about providing emotional care and taking care of the whole person,” said Paul Gaden, CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. “Part of that is how do we engage and interact with our children here and how do we stimulate their imagination. This gift is one way that we’re going to be able to do that. They can come with their parents and siblings and interact with this technology as they move onto the Hope Terrace. I thank Rita for this and all that she does on behalf of our patients and the entire South Florida community.”

 

About The Rick Case Automotive Group 

Founded in 1962, the Rick Case Automotive Group has been honored by Automotive News as the National All-Star Dealer and President and CEO Rita Case was named the 2024 TIME Dealer of the Year. Rick Case Automotive Group is the nation’s largest female owned and operated automotive dealer group in America, offering Honda, Hyundai, Genesis, Ioniq, Volkswagen, Kia, Acura, Audi, Mazda, Maserati, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Honda Motorcycles and E-Z-Go golf carts. Celebrating more than 60 years in business, the Rick Case Automotive Group has 12 dealerships in South Florida and Georgia. The South Florida dealerships are known for holding national sales records, consistently ranking among the top performers in markets they serve. Rick Case Automotive Group is headquartered at 14500 W. Sunrise Blvd. in Sunrise, Florida. For more information, visit www.RickCase.com.

 

About Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, offering a comprehensive scope of healthcare services and programs in a caring, compassionate setting designed specifically for children. The level one pediatric trauma center combines advanced technology, the expertise of some of the region’s most diverse, board-certified specialists, and a patient and family-centered focus to heal the body, mind, and spirit. Part of Memorial Healthcare System, the pediatric hospital in Hollywood, Florida, recently doubled in size, adding four floors, including a comprehensive cardiac care floor, an intraoperative MRI, an inpatient rehabilitation gym, family and staff support areas, and the 14th Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Child Life Zone, among other offerings.

 

The hospital’s nonprofit foundation focuses on philanthropy to positively impact patients, families, and underwrite programs, facilities, and equipment that support the pediatric facility’s mission. To learn more, visit jdch.com and connect with @jdchospital on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.