Tampa ICU Nurse Unexpectedly Thrust Into National Spotlight

TAMPA, FL — When Rob Higgins' name popped up on her cell phone last month, Suzie Dorner was puzzled. Why was the executive director of the Super Bowl IV Host Committee calling her?

“I thought he was going to give me tickets to hand out to some of my team members to the Super Bowl, and that would have been great,” said Dorner, a COVID-19 intensive care unit nurse manager at Tampa General Hospital.

To show their support for front-line workers, the NFL and host committee announced they were handing out tickets to the big game to 7,500 vaccinated health care professionals.

Dorner was right about getting a ticket to the Super Bowl but wrong about the reason.

In a video call, Dorner suddenly found herself face to face with legendary Tampa Bay Bucccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks who told her she'd been named an honorary Super Bowl captain by the National Football League.

Dorner was auspiciously thrust into the national spotlight, tossing the coin to determine who'd kick off the Super Bowl in front of an audience of thousands of fans in Raymond James Stadium and millions watching on their TVs and electronic devices.

“I still can’t believe it’s real,” Dorner said. “I’m just one of 18 million health care workers in America. So it’s just an honor to be chosen as their representative.”

When the time came for the ceremonial coin toss, Dorner's mind wasn't on football. She was thinking of her two grandmothers, both of whom died in Ohio from natural causes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Her maternal grandmother, Emily Talcott, was a World War II nurse.

“She inspired me to do what I do now,” said Dorner.

Courtesy Tampa General Hospital

Courtesy Tampa General Hospital

Dorner was also remembering the past year, the emotional toll and personal losses she'd witnessed day after day in the COVID-19 ICU.

“We’ve all endured so much this past year,” she said. “It’s emotionally, mentally and physically draining. We’ve all seen so much. I’ve seen things I’ve never thought I’d see in my lifetime. In July, I walked into our 18-bed COVID ICU and every single person was intubated, which is something I’ve never seen in my career. It was younger patients, too, in their 20s and 30s. That was when I was like, ‘Oh, no. It’s here. This is real.’ ”

Dorner wouldn't allow herself to succumb to despair. There was too much work to do — finding ways to support her nurses by creating a quiet self-care room where they could get their bearings following a difficult shift; getting more iPads into the ICU so patients could see the faces of their loved ones when they said their final goodbyes; and making sure the chaplains and psychologists were on hand to provide comfort to the dying.

“What helped me stay calm was that I knew I had to be there for my team,” Dorner said. “I had to be the person to say, ‘Hey guys, it’s going to be OK; we’re going to get through this together.’"

A graduate of Florida State University’s nursing school, Dorner is in her eighth year working at Tampa General.

In October 2019, she was promoted to nurse manager of the Medical Intensive Care Unit. A few months later, her world was turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic.

Within a day, the MICU was converted to a COVID unit, ready for the anticipated flow of severely ill patients.

Dorner credits the ongoing support of TGH leadership for helping her team get through the crisis.

“Our leadership has been absolutely phenomenal since Day 1 in responding to the pandemic,” she said. “Whenever there’s been an issue, they help you resolve it quickly.”

The closeness of the nursing staff is reflected in a symbol that shows up throughout the unit – on badges, charms, pins and pictures on the walls. It’s an image of an anchor, representing the unit’s motto: “Anchored in Excellence.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Dorner represents the millions of health care workers around the country who are selflessly committed to their patients despite the risks to their own health.

In addition to Dorner, the NFL recognized two other front-line heroes who represent the best of their professions — Trimaine Davis, an educator from Los Angeles, and James Martin, a Marine Corps veteran from Pittsburgh.

"Together they embody our season-long message of ‘It Takes All of Us,'" said Goodell. "During this incredibly challenging time in our lives, Trimaine, Suzie and James have exemplified the essence of leadership, each in their own way. We are grateful for their commitment and proud to share their stories and recognize them during this special moment on Super Bowl Sunday.”