After a long, strenuous year working on the front lines amid the COVID-19 pandemic, four Atrium Health teammates were recognized for their efforts with a trip to the Sunshine State to watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV! With the intent of honoring a select few who have dedicated themselves to their work in healthcare and have received both doses of their COVID-19 vaccinations, the recognition was made possible by our partnership with the Carolina Panthers.
And, on Friday, February 5, these deserving teammates packed their bags with their best Atrium Health and Panthers gear (still wanting to represent our favorite NFL team, no matter who is playing!), and flew down to Tampa, Florida, for a weekend full of COVID-Safe Super Bowl fun! While they were soaking up the warm, sunny weather, we asked them to document their experience. Take a look at the coverage below to meet our four healthcare heroes, and to see what the weekend had in store for them!:
We're going to the Super Bowl! Well, four of our well-deserving healthcare heroes are. Meet our teammates being recognized for their service and sacrifice with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the big game in Tampa this weekend.
— Atrium Health (@AtriumHealth) February 5, 2021
Stay tuned for more! #SBLV https://t.co/e11Zre2fEH
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Meet our four incredible healthcare heroes – each representing a different area of healthcare – who were able to enjoy this incredible experience!
Darryl 👋:
Darryl Ellison, an environmental services technician at Atrium Health, is always happy to help in any way he can in our hospitals. A big football fan, he is thrilled to represent Atrium Health at #SBLV on behalf of the @Panthers. Meet Darryl, a healthcare hero! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/WbyRqmzDUL
— Atrium Health (@AtriumHealth) February 5, 2021
Shikha 👋:
Shikha Dharamrup, Director of Operations of Core Laboratory at Atrium Health, connects with patients by providing testing solutions. She grew up watching football with her father and is thrilled to attend #SBLV on behalf of the @Panthers. Meet healthcare hero Shikha! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/3Vd9PdWQdp
— Atrium Health (@AtriumHealth) February 5, 2021
Jennifer 👋:
Jennifer Gardner, Outreach Director for Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, has only missed five @Panthers games in 20 years because she provides care to fans and the team. Now, she's representing Atrium Health at #SBLV on behalf of the @Panthers. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/3Fnt5H7kgz
— Atrium Health (@AtriumHealth) February 5, 2021
Lenna 👋:
Lenna Crockett, RN, Clinical Supervisor at Atrium Health Cabarrus, is a huge football fan who bases her schedule around the season. 🏈 She is thrilled to represent Atrium Health at #SBLV on behalf of the @Panthers. Meet Lenna! pic.twitter.com/KfT659k0G3
— Atrium Health (@AtriumHealth) February 5, 2021
A Weekend to Remember
From Charlotte to Tampa, take a trip down memory lane with us as we reflect on the weekend of fun!
It’s Darryl’s first time on a plane. Safe travels, Darryl! Have the best time! #SBLV pic.twitter.com/ZzjY2YyrJr
— Atrium Health (@AtriumHealth) February 6, 2021
Hey, Jennifer. 👋 pic.twitter.com/b1aWJU3pbv
— Atrium Health (@AtriumHealth) February 7, 2021
Our teammates are all @Panthers geared up and ready for the big day. #SBLV pic.twitter.com/UejeysoAY2
— Atrium Health (@AtriumHealth) February 7, 2021
Oh hey, @RJStadium. 😷 #SBLV pic.twitter.com/jTQMF1rbZl
— Atrium Health (@AtriumHealth) February 7, 2021
They’re at their seats! #SBLV | #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/76Xex7RMcg
— Atrium Health (@AtriumHealth) February 7, 2021
But Wait, There's More!
As part of his new foundation, the Christian McCaffrey Foundation, Panthers running back, McCaffrey aims to address pressing needs and honor those who serve our community most critically, including frontline healthcare heroes and law enforcement officials. In the week leading up to this year's Super Bowl, Christian joined a surprise Zoom call with our healthcare hero, Jennifer, and Sarah Garrison, MHA, Senior Manager, Sports Marketing & Corporate Events at Atrium Health, to surprise Jennifer with some special cleats as a token of his appreciation for all of her hard work! How cool is that?!
Learn more about these four healthcare heroes and what this experience means to them.