PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Medical Center has announced that Dionne Hamilton, a housekeeper on BMC's Environmental Services Team and Kate Heath, an RN in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) have been invited to the Super Bowl.

 

"I keep waiting for it to disappear. It doesn't seem real," said Heath.

 

The Kraft Family and the New England Patriots organization have selected Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) among a select group of hospitals across Massachusetts to provide two employees with a free trip to Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay, Fla.

 

In a press release earlier this week, the New England Patriots explained that this trip has two goals: "to recognize and thank a representative group of the countless healthcare superheroes in New England, and to celebrate and spread the important message of getting vaccinated." 

 

Hamilton and Heath, who have both been fully vaccinated, will join 74 other healthcare workers from New England for the full VIP Super Bowl experience, including a two-night stay at Patriot Place, transportation on the Patriots' Plane to Tampa, plus tickets to pre-game concerts and events, as well as attendance at the game.

 

"We would like to thank the Kraft Family and the New England Patriots for recognizing healthcare workers with this amazing opportunity and for their advocacy around the importance of vaccination and access to personal protective equipment," Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) President and CEO David Phelps said. "We are incredibly proud of all of our staff at BMC and BHS for the work they have done since Day one of this crisis." Phelps added, "Though we can only send two employees, each and every one of our staff members is deserving of this VIP Super Bowl opportunity. Dionne and Kate are exemplary employees and we know that will represent our organization well." 

 

As a critical care nurse, Heath has spent the past year caring daily for critically ill COVID-19 patients. Heath explained that working on a COVID floor can be isolating for frontline workers. She said it is a challenge for non-patient-facing staff, community members and even immediate family members to understand what COVID care is like and how challenging the past year has been. 

 

"It's validating to be acknowledged by the Krafts and the Patriots organization in such a big way," said Heath.

 

Dionne Hamilton, who is responsible for cleaning and disinfecting COVID hospital rooms at BMC, volunteered for extra shifts at Hillcrest Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center when the facility was experiencing an outbreak this winter. After working a full day at BMC, Hamilton donned her full PPE again and spent her nights working at Hillcrest. 

 

"I was just doing what I could," said Hamilton. "Everybody did a lot."     

 

According to the BHS press release, Hamilton and Heath, who are both football fans, are looking forward to the "Big Game," along with a little sunshine and 70-degree Florida weather. 

 

 "I am smiling so hard under this mask," Hamilton said.