Since its founding in 1981, the MileagePlus® program has always been about rewarding flyers. To celebrate 40 years, United asked travelers to nominate essential healthcare workers for the chance to win 1 million miles. After careful consideration, our judges chose four inspiring winners to win those miles, based on the way they share our values: being safe, caring, dependable, determined, and impactful. And the winners are…
Angela Price Booker, Nurse
Working in the COVID-19 ward put Price Booker on the front lines of the pandemic. Despite the long hours and grueling work, she went above and beyond to treat her patients like family. Price Booker also faithfully kept in touch with her patients’ families so they felt a sense of relief during such a dark time. The daughter of one patient—who nominated Price Booker for this contest—even credits the nurse’s compassion and care with saving her father’s life.
Jack Chapman, Paramedic
Described as caring and dedicated, Chapman worked tirelessly as COVID-19 devastated New York City in the early days of the pandemic. He suited up in protective gear for every call he got, never knowing if a patient had the virus. Even after the worst of the pandemic, Chapman continued to serve his community by volunteering at a mass vaccination site to administer shots to hundreds of people.
Paul Llobet, M.D.
Many doctors returned to the mainland U.S. at the start of the pandemic, but Llobet stayed in Guam to help his community. He diligently worked the night shift caring for COVID-19 patients with compassion, empathy, and humor—even dressing up as Darth Vader for Halloween. On an island with limited medical resources, Llobet’s dedication and drive truly highlights how essential he was to Guam’s health and safety.
Jitka Prokesova, Nurse
Throughout the pandemic, Prokesova has taken initiative. When PPE was scarce, she made masks and donated them to her community. When her patients took a turn for the worse, she never allowed them to be alone. And when the vaccine started to roll out, Prokesova asked local officials how she could help and eventually volunteered on her days off to administer vaccines to the elderly and immunocompromised.
Although this contest only has four winners, know that United appreciates and values all the essential workers who keep our communities going. Visit united.com/mp40 to learn more about the winners and 40 years of MileagePlus.
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