Best of Miami in Times of Crisis Award.
While I may have provided a face for this award, it really goes to my many, many wonderful colleagues who pulled together with their 3D printers, their good humor, advice and resilience that made the distribution of face shields from FIU possible during the pandemic.
From Miami Today 11.17.20.
In the midst of a worsening pandemic, strident political rhetoric and painful economic downturn, heroes emerged for us all to honor, and hopefully emulate, in last week’s Best of Miami annual edition of Miami Today. What a very welcome breath of fresh air.
Best of Miami in Crisis Time focused on sterling examples of bright lights in dark hours in many fields – but they were by no means all-inclusive. For every hero we highlighted many more do meritorious and important work beyond the spotlight.
They are beacons of light and hope when times seem most difficult. If they can do it, we all collectively can do it.
When the pandemic struck, director John Stuart quickly pivoted one of Florida’s largest 3D printing labs at Florida International University’s Miami Beach Urban Studio to make 11,000 face shields for essential workers. The lab quickly had printers up and running, producing the shields for Baptist Health System, Miami-Dade and City of Miami firefighters, and workers across Florida who care for adults with special needs.