Smooth Operators claim checkered flag at 2018 Gurney Races
Published on Thursday, May 10, 2018
By: Alana Bowman
Competition was as heated as the asphalt on Peachtree Street Tuesday evening as teams from across the Medical Center faced off in the 2018 UMMC Gurney Races to decide who would claim the Golden Stethoscope.
Jointly sponsored by the Office of Nursing Quality, Development and Professional Practice and UMMC Human Resources, the races were just one of myriad entertaining activities planned for the celebration of National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week, May 6-12. On hand were food trucks and a DJ for food and entertainment. Driscoll Devaul, director of respiratory and pulmonary services at Batson Children’s Hospital emceed the event.
Kicking off the preliminary races were the Managers of Mayhem, nurse managers from the adult hospital led by team captain Briana Petty, nurse manager on 4 North, against the Pill Pushers from Central Pharmacy, led by team captain Jamesha Demerritt, pharmacy tech. The Pill Pushers had a win in their sights before the Managers came from behind for an epic win in the first round.
As the Spice Girls belted out “Wannabe” from the loudspeaker, what team Hello Kidney from University Transplant, led by team captain Kristen Turnbow, abdominal transplant coordinator, really, really wanted was a smashing win against the SON All-Stars, faculty members from the School of Nursing led by team captain Jill Clayton, assistant professor of nursing.
Alas, a win was not in the future for the pink tutu’d racers of team Hello Kidney. Team member Mollie King, transplant coordinator, took a heart-breaking spill in the run-offs allowing the All-Stars to pull ahead.
Hello Kidney team captain reported that King twisted her ankle and had “significant road rash.” She received treatment in the mobile clinic onsite while team alternate Kristie Foy, transplant coordinator, stepped in to allow the team to finish the race.
“Mollie definitely took one for the team! She handled it like a champ,” Turnbow said. “Even though we didn’t win, we had a wonderful time.”
Tension remained high as the Float Pool Firecrackers, led by team captain and registered nurse Britt Taylor, went head to head with the Cancer Killaz, led by team captain and registered nurse Keyara Freeman. They were in a dead heat, neck and neck until Cancer Killaz pulled ahead for a win.
The Kidney Stoners of 2 South, led by team captain and registered nurse Bill Brister, were a perfect match for the University Hospital Pulmonary Clinic, the Heavy Breathers, led by team captain and respiratory therapist Chris McCoy. There should have been a photo finish to determine who “crossed the line” first.
After a little smack talk between captains Molly Crisler, registered nurse in the NICU, and Kyle Dickerson, surgery charge nurse in the Batson 7th floor surgical suite, the final race pitted the Preemie Powers against the Smooth Operators. Preemie Powers started off strong, but it was the Smooth Operators who pulled ahead after the turn and crossed the finish line to the sound of the cheering crowd and a little Queen.
“We talked about practicing, but we decided we’d wing it,” said Dickerson after accepting the Golden Stethoscope for his team. “We showed up and got it done.” That’s what they do every day for Mississippi kids at the state’s only children’s hospital.
The teams:
BSC Flash, Batson Specialty Clinic; Chasing Zero, Chief Medical Officer’s office; 5 South Stampede, 5 South; Float Pool Firecrackers, nursing resource team; Frequent Flyers, Adult Emergency Department; Heavy Breathers, respiratory;
Hello Kidney, University Transplant; Heme Lightning, bone marrow transplant; Heroic Hearts, 5 Children’s; Kidney Stoners, 2 South; Legal Dealers, Pharmacy; Managers of Mayhem, adult managers; Pill Pushers, Pharmacy; Preemie Power, NICU; Rehab Rebels, rehabilitation services;
Rehab Rockets, rehabilitation services; Smooth Operators, Batson OR; SON All Stars, School of Nursing; Super Coders, UP charge review; Swole Patrol, MICU; Trach Masters, 4 North; and Wiser Warriors, 4 Wiser.