Florida Hospital and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have formed a partnership that is launching health initiatives designed to “engage the community and transform places of work, home and play.” Florida Hospital, owner of 23 hospitals across the state, will also become the exclusive hospital of the Bucs. The multi-year partnership includes plans for several community health events, such as a Day of Wellness and a Fitness Challenge.

In the Tampa area, 12 percent of the population suffers from diabetes, which is higher than the state average of 10 percent. Additionally, 25 percent of the population is obese (defined as an adult having a body mass index of 30 or higher). Those are just a few of the chronic health conditions Florida Hospital and the Bucs hope to tackle. In other news at Florida Hospital, ground has been broken on a medical facility in Winter Garden, scheduled to open in winter 2014.

The facility will provide access to an Emergency Department, imaging services, primary care and physician specialists. Phase one includes a three-story, 75,000-square-foot building.

View full press release here.