2 CT Healthcare Workers Among Those Attending Super Bowl

HARTFORD, CT — Two Connecticut healthcare workers will join 74 other healthcare providers from across New England in attending the Super Bowl on Sunday, according to a statement from Trinity Health. Matthew Blouin, an RN at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, and Cherie Rodriguez, an RT at Mercy Medical Center in Hartford, will be granted an all-expenses paid trip to Super Bowl LV in Tampa, including roundtrip travel on the Patriots team plane.

The purpose of the trip is to recognize and thank healthcare workers in New England and to celebrate and spread the important message of getting vaccinated, according to Trinity Health.

Both Blouin and Rodriguez have worked closely with COVID-19 patients in each of their hospitals. Their selection for this recognition was the result of a lottery drawing with the names of eligible colleagues throughout the regional health ministry.

"Matthew and Cherie are outstanding clinicians whose unwavering dedication to their patients sets the standard for safe, high quality care, even during the most difficult times. They are also excellent examples of the type of colleague we are so fortunate to have throughout Trinity Health Of New England," Reginald Eadie, president and CEO of Trinity Health Of New England, said in a statement. "The pandemic has posed new and significant challenges for healthcare providers and support staff at every level. Often putting aside fears for their own health and safety, they have met these challenges with clinical excellence, adaptability, professionalism and grace."

The 76 healthcare workers hail from all six New England states and represent a range of hospitals and roles, all of which have been supporting COVID-19 units during the pandemic.

The Kraft family, which owns the Patriots, offered four tickets to each of the governors outside of Massachusetts, who then selected healthcare superheroes from their respective states, for a total of 20 individuals representing Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The remaining tickets were distributed to many of the not-for-profit hospitals throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that continue to care for COVID-19 patients. All attending healthcare workers have been fully vaccinated no later than Jan. 24, or 14 days prior to travel.