Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Nurse Practitioner Andrea Boohaker, MSN, has been named a 2021 Health Care Hero.

UAB football coach Bill Clark and quarterback Tyler Johnston III delivered all 12 UAB Health Care Heroes four tickets to the UAB inaugural football game in Protective Stadium. These awardees were selected as Health Care Heroes as they were named 2021 UAB Medicine Excellence Award winners.

Health Care Heroes were thanked for their contributions to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has continued for almost two years. At the start of the pandemic, no one foresaw the great hurdles that were ahead, but many within UAB and UAB Medicine arose to the challenge.

“Our faculty, staff, and trainees have truly risen to meet the greater needs of the health system during the course of this pandemic, and we are truly grateful for the ways that they have gone above and beyond,” said Steven Theiss, M.D., John D. Sherrill Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery.

To recognize the many contributions of its staff, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery launched its own recognition program: Orthopaedic GEMs, which recognizes employees that “go the extra mile” for their patients and colleagues. Boohaker was recognized in August 2020 as a GEM.

Her nominator wrote: “She [Andrea Boohaker] is hardworking, always available, and cares for her coworkers. She is constantly checking in to make sure everyone has what they need and is willing to answer any question, no matter how busy she may be. She is an incredibly knowledgeable nurse practitioner and has vast experience in orthopedics, which makes her such an asset to the department.”

The department would like to extend its thanks to Boohaker and each employee who has gone, and continues to go, the extra mile during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like to nominate an orthopaedic GEM, visit this page.