Nurses from The University of Kansas Health System, Official Healthcare Provider for the Kansas City Chiefs, have placed a friendly wager with AdventHealth Tampa, the exclusive hospital of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with a prize that is only “fitting” for the situation.
Teaming with Kansas City’s only female-run scrub company, TiScrubs, the nurses laid down a challenge. With a Chiefs victory on Sunday, nurses at AdventHealth Tampa will don scrub tops featuring Patrick Mahomes II the following week, posting photos on social media. However, if the Bucs win, The University of Kansas health care professionals must wear scrub tops featuring Tom Brady and do the same. TiScrubs has also sweetened the pot by offering the winning team’s hospital an additional $1,000 worth of scrubs.
“As luck would have it, our new officially licensed NFLPA Scrub Top collection features the two quarterbacks who are heading to the big game. We are thrilled to be a part of this challenge and to honor so many in the medical field and our community who have worked the front lines during the pandemic--and continue to do so,” sajd Natalie Busch, CEO of TiScrubs.
TiScrubs has a history in athletics. When Busch began volunteering with her husband’s charity, TeamSmile, that partners professional teams with dental caregivers, she had one question: Why isn’t someone making great scrubs that fit these healthcare professionals like uniforms fit athletes? It turns out, medical professionals were also looking for something different and better. In celebrating its ninth year in business, TiScrubs launched the first officially licensed medical scrubs collection with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) via its licensing and marketing arm, NFL Players Inc. The women’s and men’s scrubs feature artwork representing star quarterbacks popping out of the chest pocket, while other styles showcase the names and numbers of other popular active players. The player scrubs collection is targeted to frontline healthcare workers who have been in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic since day one.
Former Chief and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Will Shields, weighed in on the wager: "I want to express my gratitude for the health care heroes from the University of Kansas Health System and all front-line workers fighting day in and day out across Kansas City and the country as a whole. As a lot of folks in Kansas City are honoring front-line workers by staying at home and wearing masks, we will continue to honor you and be forever grateful for your unselfish sacrifice and efforts during these unprecedented times. Your work does not go unnoticed. Thanks to TiScrubs, neither will your scrub tops. I know the Chiefs will feel your support on Sunday and, hopefully, the good folks at AdventHealth Tampa will be wearing the Mahomes tops next week! Run it back Chiefs!”
Pro Football Hall of Famer and fabled Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks also is into the challenge: “The compassion and dedication from our health care heroes this year was extraordinary. They have sacrificed to make our lives better. We honor their humanity. On top of being true lifesavers, they are also sports fans. It has been heartwarming to see how the Buccaneers' run has brought some joy to the doctors and nurses at AdventHealth Tampa. I’m excited that two cities known for their great medical care are coming together to celebrate the game on Sunday. I’m going to enjoy knowing that the excellent doctors and nurses from The University of Kansas Health System will be wearing the Brady tops from TiScrubs next week. Time to finish the job and win this Bucs!”
“This is a fun way to celebrate health care employees in two cities, working hard to give patients the very best care,” said Rachel Pepper, DNP,RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, Kansas City Division, The University of Kansas Health System. “Our nurses are both passionate about our patients and our teams!”
“We’re excited to be part of such a friendly wager, which also puts us head to head with our sister hospital in Kansas City, but we are not afraid to pick on someone our own size!” said AdventHealth Tampa Chief Executive Officer Denyse Bales Chubb. “It’s great to see our teams have some fun in what has been a challenging year.”
