JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars today announced they have selected four local health care heroes to attend Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay as guests of the team. All four recipients have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations and will join approximately 7,500 other vaccinated health care workers in the stands at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 7 as part of the NFL’s tribute to health care workers.
Each of the 32 NFL clubs received four Super Bowl LV tickets to provide to local health care workers. The Jaguars worked alongside Baptist Health, the official health care provider of the Jaguars, to identify worthy recipients who have gone above and beyond in 2020 to care for the community. Last week, the four winners participated in a virtual interview on the importance of getting vaccinated alongside Pride of the Jaguars member Tony Boselli, who surprised them at the end of the interview with news of the all-expense paid trip.
“It’s a small token, but it’s what the NFL and the Jaguars felt like we could do to honor you all,” said Boselli during the surprise. “You’ve been vaccinated. You are amazing health care workers. You’ve served our community. As a big thank you, it’s a full trip for each one of you down to watch the Super Bowl.”
The winners, all employees of Baptist Health, include:
- Kelly Guion, RN, Nurse Manager, Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville – Guion oversees a 48-bed COVID unit in downtown Jacksonville and provides direct patient care.
- Vincy Samuel, Ph.D., Director, Employee Health, Baptist Health – Samuel, an epidemiologist, served as the point person for employee health and plays a critical role in overseeing employee and patient vaccination rollout.
- Jodie Bisogno, RN, Director, Critical Care, Baptist Medical Center South – Bisogno has led the COVID unit at Baptist South since the beginning of the pandemic also providing direct patient care.
- Edward Gorak, DO, MBA, MS, FACP, Hematologist Oncologist, Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center – Gorak played a critical role in working alongside other physicians and clinical staff in developing a community-wide approach to combatting COVID.
“As the NFL season culminates in Tampa Bay, we are thanking our health care heroes who have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President of Club Business and League Events. “We are honored to salute those who have demonstrated dedication, commitment and courage and deserve our deepest gratitude and admiration.”
Health and safety precautions such as increased physical distancing, face coverings, hand hygiene stations, first aid areas and directional signage will all be in place to create a safe environment for all individuals in attendance. For more information on Super Bowl LV gameday COVID-19 protocols visit www.nfl.com/super-bowl/event-info/fan-gameday-playbook.
All activities during Super Bowl week, including gameday, will be conducted in accordance with CDC and local health guidelines.
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