Braves Third Baseman and the MLB Players Trust Reach out to Health Care Staff Who Have Shown Commitment to Saving Others During the Pandemic
Atlanta, Feb. 8 – In an effort to show appreciation and gratitude for Emory Healthcare employees on the front lines of the pandemic, Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley and the Major League Baseball Players Trust will surprise five employees with a “thank you” call via Zoom.
This marks the sixth Zoom call of the MLB Players Trust’s “High Fives for Our Healthcare Heroes” national campaign. Through this initiative, Players are paired with a health care system in a city that they currently play or have played in to thank frontline workers for the difficult and selfless work being done across the country to bring an end to the pandemic.
In addition to the call, the Players will surprise the health care system with a $5,000 gift on behalf of the Players Trust to support employee relief and recognition efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Riley, 24, was a first-round pick by the Braves in the 2015 MLB draft. He made his big-league debut in 2019 and took his production to a new level last season, hitting 33 homers and slugging .531 as Atlanta’s regular third baseman. Riley hit .320 in the World Series to help lead the Braves past Houston in six games. He won a Silver Slugger Award and finished seventh in National League MVP balloting.
The five employees selected by the Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare system include: Sarah Boyd, Unit Charge Nurse, Emory University Hospital; Yolanda Reed, Buyer, Emory Healthcare; Jessica Sharp, Charge Nurse, Emory Hillandale Hospital; Edward “Ned” Morrell, Senior Monitor Tech, Emory Johns Creek Hospital; and Ray Snider, Senior Manager, Clinical Services & Operations for Ambulatory Care, Physician Group Practice, Emory Healthcare.
Emory Healthcare, with nearly 24,000 employees and 11 hospital campuses, is the most comprehensive academic health system in Georgia and is part of Emory University. System-wide, it has 2,722 licensed beds and more than 3,300 physicians in more than 70 specialties, serving metro Atlanta in 250 locations. It also provides services to greater Georgia through a joint venture at St. Francis–Emory Healthcare Hospital in Columbus, 10 regional affiliate hospitals, and its clinically integrated physician network.
Emory Healthcare is the official team health care provider of the Atlanta Braves.
The Major League Baseball Players Trust, charitable arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association, is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that harnesses the expertise, influence, and passions of players to create meaningful and sustainable change in the lifelong well-being of others.
WHEN: The Zoom call took place this morning, February 8 at 10:00am ET
WHERE: Footage of the call will be available to interested outlets at 12:30PM ET.