Behind the Mask: Baptist Health Heroes

Working together with Baptist Health South Florida, the Panthers hosted their first-ever "Wear a Mask Night" during their win over the Blue Jackets at BB&T Center on Monday.
Continuing their strong
partnership with Baptist Health
, the Cats ensured the evening was centered on the overall importance of continuing to wear a face covering as the world still reels from the pandemic, while also honoring the frontline workers who have been fighting the virus each and every day since COVID-19 hit more than a year ago.

After achieving the International WELL Building Institute's (IWBI) WELL Health-Safety Rating, BB&T Center opened its doors to fans in a limited capacity with strict guidelines outlined in the
Panthers' creative "Red Reminders" program
, presented by Baptist Health. Underscored in this effort has been the significance of wearing a mask - a cause Baptist Health has highlighted through their #MaskUpSouthFlorida campaign.
To mark the occasion of "Wear A Mask Night," all fans in attendance received a co-branded face mask.

But spectators weren't the only ones donning a Baptist Health mask.
During warmups, Panthers rookie netminder Spencer Knight sported a one-of-a-kind personalized goalie mask, which featured a special tribute to healthcare workers while promoting continued mask wearing to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The warm-up worn mask will be auctioned off at the Pineapple Pajama Gala, a virtual event taking place this Saturday, April 24. The funds will benefit the Baptist Health Foundation.

"Things have been getting better, but it's important to keep your mask on and take precautions because it's not over," Knight said of the "Wear A Mask" initiative.
The goaltender also acknowledged the vital role healthcare workers have played in allowing for hockey - and the world at large - to resume.
"All the healthcare workers in South Florida, and specifically all those at Baptist Health, they've done so much for us in keeping us safe and letting us be able to play safely and go along this year," Knight explained. "It's been nothing but great."
"We love partnering with the Panthers," Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute CEO Javier Hernandez-Lichtl told Bally Sports Florida. "So what a great opportunity for two anchor organizations in the South Florida community that are focused on active living and creating a safe community that we would come together to give this message."

Baptist Health professionals were also in attendance, taking in the game action from a suite.
Obed Bello, an assistant nurse manager in the ICU at Baptist Health, came to cheer on the Cats with his fiancé. Bello is one of the three healthcare workers featured on the mask and got the chance to see it in person at an intermission.

"I'm absolutely honored and humbled," Bello said. "I love that the Panthers and Baptist Health [dedicated] a game to wearing a mask to emphasize protecting each other.
"We all want to see each other's expressions, faces, and smiles. But, at the same time, we all want to be safe and keep our loved ones safe."
Bello began his journey in the medical field with a Bachelor's degree in nursing and started working in the emergency department at Baptist Health. Then, he went back to school and got his Masters, putting him on a track focused on healthcare system leadership and furthering his training in trauma.
In 2018, Bello was promoted to being an assistant manager in the ED. When the pandemic started last March, he moved to the ICU.
"I've been in the ICU since then, helping through this," he explained. "My day-to-day operations consist of going to work, checking up on the staff and the department, and meeting with patients and their families."
Because of protocols and visiting restrictions, like so many other healthcare professionals Bello has worked hard to virtually unite patients and their loved ones. "One of the most rewarding things for me has been the ability to connect patients to their family members," he explained.
Oftentimes, medical staff uses video messaging and phone calls to facilitate closer interactions. "It's just been an honor to be there with patients and their loved ones on the phone to keep them comfortable in their scariest moments."
"For any of us, if you ask us why we do our job we're always going to tell you, 'Because it's my job,'" said Bello. "I do it because that's my job and I enjoy it.
"It's an honor to come to this game. The recognition for the healthcare workers has been great, and we're super thankful…to be honored this way by a professional sports team is mind-blowing. I can honestly say I'm starstruck."