Panda Express celebrates opening of new Panda Cares Center of Hope Playroom at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital

Panda Express, through its philanthropic arm Panda Cares, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, to celebrate the opening of the new Panda Cares Center of Hope Playroom at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Local Panda Express associates and Panda Express area coach of operations, Gelila Taffese, attended the event to dedicate the space.

The Panda Cares Center of Hope is a specially designed playroom on the hospital’s ninth floor—an inpatient medical/surgical space featuring 28 private rooms that promote healing and rest. Featuring age-appropriate furniture, colorful artwork, toys, and games, the playroom provides a comforting environment in which pediatric patients can connect with peers in ways that mirror their interactions outside the hospital, supporting their emotional and developmental well-being during their hospital stays.

Programs offered at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital Panda Cares Center of Hope include therapeutic play, art therapy, meditation and counseling services, designed to give children the courage and strength to thrive.

“We are deeply grateful to Panda Express and the Panda Cares Foundation for their generous commitment creating joyful experiences for our young patients,” said Jim Leste, chief administrative officer at Stead Family Children’s Hospital. “Spaces like the Panda Cares Center of Hope allow us to provide holistic care by giving children a chance to play, laugh, and simply be kids—even while they’re healing.”

Panda Cares Centers of Hope across the country are made possible by donations from Panda Express associates and guests. Funds raised in-store and online at Panda Express benefit each store’s local community. Following a multimillion-dollar commitment to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to fund Panda Cares Centers of Hope, Panda and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have debuted Center of Hope locations at several hospitals in the U.S. from California and Texas to Hawaii and Washington D.C.

“We are proud to partner with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to bring the vision of the Panda Cares Center of Hope to life and are humbled to be part of the healing journey for the families and kids at these hospitals,” said Dr. Peggy Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group.

Panda Express guests and their associates in Iowa and Illinois have raised nearly $1.3 million for Stead Family Children’s Hospital since 2007.