For Frankie Torres and Avery Brown, the visit was a chance to step away from cancer treatment and simply enjoy being kids. They toured the facility, met players and coaches, and collected autographs and photos on the sidelines.

“This was more than just a tour,” said Joanne Ordono, a certified child life specialist and program supervisor of Child Life Services at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s, who accompanied the families. “It was an opportunity for our patients to feel celebrated, encouraged and supported. Watching them smile, laugh and interact with the players was incredibly meaningful. As a Rams fan, it was exciting for me, too—but seeing the joy on our patients’ faces was the best part of the day.”

The day began with a surprise. When they arrived, Frankie and Avery each received a custom Rams jersey with their name on it. From there, the visit included a behind-the-scenes tour, lunch in the team meal room and a look at the weight room, recovery areas and education spaces used by Rams players.

The experience grew out of Cedars-Sinai's partnership with the Rams. As the official healthcare partner of the Los Angeles Rams, Cedars-Sinai works with the organization to support the health of players, coaches and staff while creating opportunities for patients and families in the community.

The highlight came later, when the families headed to the practice field to watch the team train. After practice, players and coaches stayed to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for photos. Among those who greeted the families were quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Davante Adams, defensive end Myles Garrett and head coach Sean McVay.

Frankie, who was diagnosed with B-cell leukemia at age 8 and spent nearly three years undergoing treatment, eagerly gathered autographs and photos from his favorite players.

“Meeting the players was awesome,” Frankie said. “I’ve played football video games and watched them on TV, so seeing them in person was really cool.”

Frankie’s family has faced more than his diagnosis. In January 2025, they lost their home in the Eaton Fire, along with collections he had spent years building, including Pokémon cards, Legos and Hot Wheels cars.

Despite those setbacks, his parents say, Frankie has remained determined.

“Frankie has always been a fighter,” said his father, Francisco Torres. “Whether it was going through treatment or starting over after losing our home, he keeps moving forward. Seeing him have a day like this, where he could just be a kid and enjoy himself, meant the world to our family.”

For Avery, the visit represented another milestone. The energetic 5-year-old was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in June 2024, when she was 3. Through the months of treatment, Avery became known for her bright smile, positive attitude and courage. Today, Avery is cancer-free and thriving.

“Avery loves meeting people and making friends, and she was so excited to see the players,” said her mother, Janine Burris. “Watching her smile and enjoy the day reminded us how far she has come.”

Avery especially enjoyed posing for photos and soaking up the attention on the sidelines from players who took time to make her feel special.

“I have a 5-year-old daughter, too; you both would probably be good buddies,” Stafford said to Avery.

These moments are important for our patients and families, Ordono said.

“Medical treatment is only one part of healing. Experiences like this help create positive memories, build confidence and provide hope during difficult times.”

For the Rams players and staff, the interactions may have lasted only a few minutes. For Frankie, Avery and their families, the impact will last much longer.

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: Pediatric Patient Victoria Coats Takes Cancer in Stride

The rookies made stops throughout Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Cedars-Sinai Cancer, where they posed for photos, signed autographs and handed out Rams-themed gifts.

Players and cheerleaders were greeted with smiles and posed for selfies with patients, families and staff members across both campuses.

At Guerin Children’s, players spent time talking football with pediatric patients and played a few rounds of Connect Four with patients in the courtyard.

“The fact that the Rams came created a sense of normalcy and it really brightened my son’s day,” said Nadyia Blakemore, whose 6-year-old son is a Guerin Children’s patient. “I appreciate the Rams coming through. It was a blessing to my family”.

In the NICU, rookies met new parents and visited some of the hospital’s smallest patients. At Cedars-Sinai Cancer, patients, physicians and staff joined Rams rookie Chad Lindberg for a football toss game, taking turns throwing passes at an inflatable football target.

“Seeing the Rams players connect with our patients and families in such a genuine and compassionate way means so much to everyone across our hospitals,” said Jill Martin, executive vice president of Cedars-Sinai Medical Network. “These visits create joyful moments, lift spirits and reflect the strong partnership between Cedars-Sinai and the Rams organization.”

The patients were clearly touched by their visits, said Joanne Laguna-Kennedy, MSN, RN, vice president of Hospital Operations and chief operating officer of Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital.

“The players shared that they felt the same sense of joy,” Laguna-Kennedy said. “We’re incredibly grateful for their time, support and enthusiasm.”

Cedars-Sinai is the official healthcare partner and trusted doctors of the Los Angeles Rams.

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: Childhood Cancer Survivor Aiden Duong in Rams Spotlight

Preparation was at the center of the 2026 Emergency Care in Sport (ECS) Conference in Woodland Hills, where nearly 200 sports medicine professionals, athletic trainers and healthcare leaders gathered for a two-day immersive training focused on emergency response.

Hosted by the Los Angeles Rams, the National Football League (NFL), and Cedars-Sinai, the conference combined expert-led instruction with hands-on, scenario-based training designed to prepare clinicians and athletic staff to respond to critical situations on the field.

“Sport is unpredictable, and when emergencies happen, there’s no time to hesitate,” said Casey Batten, MD, co-director of Nonoperative Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, head team physician for the Rams, and chief medical officer for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. “This training is about building muscle memory so that when something goes wrong, teams can respond immediately, confidently and in a coordinated way.”

The conference featured a multidisciplinary lineup of national leaders in sports medicine and emergency care, including Reggie Scott, senior vice president of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Rams; Allen Sills, MD,  chief medical officer for the National Football League; and Ron Courson, associate athletic director for Sports Medicine at the University of Georgia.

Through panel discussions and interactive demonstrations, speakers and session leaders emphasized the importance of Emergency Action Plans, proper medical oversight, access to essential equipment, and involving trained sports medicine experts at all levels of sport—from youth leagues to professional teams.

A highlight of the conference was the presentation of the inaugural Dr. Greg Elkins Memorial High School Team Doctor of the Year Award, recognizing exceptional dedication to the care and safety of student-athletes.

The award honors the legacy of Greg Elkins, MD, a nationally prominent and widely respected sports medicine physician known for his decades of service to high school athletes and his leadership in shaping national sports medicine policy.

Elkins Award recipient Clarence Shields, MD, a Cedars-Sinai orthopedic surgeon, was honored for his pioneering work in expanding access to care for underserved student-athletes in Los Angeles.

A Los Angeles native, Shields graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine, completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, and fulfilled his fellowship training in sports medicine at the then–Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Institute. He later served as president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and as a longtime team physician for the Los Angeles Rams.

In 1994, Shields founded Team HEAL—Helping Enrich Athletes’ Lives—a program that provides athletic training services and healthcare resources to high schools in underserved communities. Today, the program serves more than a dozen schools and 2,800 student-athletes annually and has helped more than 30,000 young athletes since its inception.

“Dr. Shields’ leadership reminds us that sports medicine is about more than treating injuries—it is about protecting futures,” Batten said. “By founding Team HEAL, Dr. Shields expanded access to care for underserved communities and connected local high schools with volunteer physicians who have made a lasting difference in the lives of student-athletes.”

 Read more from Stories and Insights: How to Prevent Sports Injuries in Young Athletes

 

During the daylong event, students extracted DNA from strawberries, saw CPR demonstrations and ambulance simulations, and talked about science and medicine with physicians, pharmacists, nurses, professors and researchers at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University.

“Early exposure to STEAM is critical, especially for students who may not always see themselves represented in science or healthcare careers,” said Christina Harris, MD, vice president and chief health equity officer at Cedars-Sinai. “By partnering with the Rams and bringing Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University into this experience, we are helping students see that careers in medicine, research and innovation are exciting—and attainable.”

Participating students also explored behind-the-scenes areas of SoFi Stadium, connecting STEAM concepts to the innovation and engineering behind one of the world’s most advanced sports and entertainment venues.

“I liked that we actually got to try things ourselves,” said Elias Rivera, a fourth grader from Normont Elementary School in Harbor City who wants to one day become a doctor. “Math is my favorite subject, and my favorite part today was throwing the football into a small hole on the field.”

Through its involvement, Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University helped students see themselves reflected in the future of healthcare and science, reinforcing its commitment to education, research and advancing health equity.

“What’s powerful about a day like this is that students can see how many different career opportunities exist in healthcare,” said Michael Farkouh, MD, vice dean for Research and Clinical Trials at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University. “You don’t have to leave Los Angeles to receive world-class training and education. Right here at Cedars-Sinai and our Health Sciences University, there are pathways in research, artificial intelligence, pharmacy technician, respiratory therapy and so much more.”

The Health Sciences University was established in 2024 to prepare generations of academic scientists, physician leaders and allied health professionals for futures in healthcare and biomedical science.

“Our goal is to spark a passion that goes beyond a job—and to show students they can build meaningful careers while staying rooted in their communities,” Farkouh said.

S.T.E.A.M. Field Day is part of a broader educational initiative to introduce Los Angeles youth to career pathways in sports, entertainment and healthcare. Cedars-Sinai helps shape the program’s educational content, spotlighting professionals whose work reflects each STEAM discipline, including:

• Science – Casey Batten, MD
  Co-director of Nonoperative Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, head team physician for the Los Angeles Rams and chief medical officer for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Batten represents how scientific research and evidence-based medicine support both elite athletes and everyday patients.
• Technology – Tiffani Bright, PhD
  An assistant professor of Computational Biomedicine and co-director of Cedars-Sinai’s Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Education, Bright leads efforts to develop AI tools to improve clinical decision-making and advance health equity.
• Engineering – Hector Melara
  An engineer and architect at Cedars-Sinai, Melara helps design and build healthcare spaces that support patients, families and caregivers. His work blends engineering, technology and math to create safe, functional environments where care happens.
• Art – John Lange
  Curator of Cedars-Sinai’s art collection and manager of the Cedars-Sinai Arts Program, Lange leads initiatives that integrate art into healthcare settings to support healing and wellbeing.
• Math – Joycelyn Frederick, BSHCM, CPhT-Adv 
  Program director for the Pharmacy Technician Program at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University, Frederick prepares the next generation of pharmacy technicians for careers that rely on math, science and technology to ensure medication safety and accuracy for patients.

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

“We know you’re going to take us to the Super Bowl this year,” Croft said. “We all so appreciate your visit. Now, go out and be awesome.”

Small groups of players then scattered throughout the medical center campus and Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital, fully equipped with Rams swag like footballs, hats and pennants.

Several players visited patients at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, taking photos, chatting, and autographing footballs and hats. Other rookies visited patients at the inpatient unit of Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s, including a high school football player who smiled widely as he and the pros chatted about different football plays. “You’re one of us now,” a player told the patient.

A highlight: Rampage, the beloved Rams mascot, who posed for pictures with all who asked.

“Everyone wanted a selfie with Rampage,” said Maureen Chin, MSN, RN, associate director of the Department of Pediatrics. “Everyone wanted to hang out with the players and give them high-fives and cheer them on for the season.”

Players also met with new parents and got to make friends with some of the smallest patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s.

“Really, just seeing these kids out here and bringing a smile to their faces with everything they’re going through right now is very special to me,” said Chris Paul Jr., a Rams rookie linebacker.

Rookie Bill Norton echoed the sentiment and said, “It’s cool to bring a light into the day for the patients and I’m excited to come back whenever we can.”

Cedars-Sinai is the Official Healthcare Partner of the Los Angeles Rams.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Safety Tips to Get the Most Out of Exercise and Reduce Injury Risks

The football players visited pediatric patients in Guerin Children’s and signed hats for patients and their families. Thea Kurpel, 9, said she would save her Rams hat for her dad, who is a Rams super fan.

Rams rookie Kobie Turner said the visit was inspirational for him and his teammates. “Being able to come and spread positivity and joy and get some fresh faces in the building, and bringing a lot of good energy—I think it makes a difference,” Turner said.

The Rams were welcomed by David Marshall, JD, DNP, RN, Cedars-Sinai senior vice president and chief nursing executive, and Bryan Croft, executive vice president and chief operating officer. Cedars-Sinai is the official health partner of the Rams.

“Bringing the Rams to ‘our house’ makes it an extra special occasion,” Croft said. “The players brought huge smiles to everyone they met, both patients and staff.” 

Marshall welcomed the players and thanked them for taking time out of their busy schedules to inject a little excitement and fun into the day.

“For patients to be able to see the players up close and personal and have the opportunity to interact with them brings smiles to their faces and gives them a little bit of hope that their day might be better,” said Marshall.

Some team members visited patients undergoing chemotherapy infusions at Cedars-Sinai Cancer while others accompanied Cedars-Sinai’s POOCH volunteers as the volunteer service dogs visited patients. And some rookies participated in Cedars-Sinai’s first official Juneteenth celebration for employees, even dancing and singing with Cedars-Sinai staff members.

Four players visited Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital and toured the entire facility while visiting patients and giving out official Rams hats. 

Back at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, visitors lucky enough to be in the lobby received a special treat when Turner, who has been playing music since he was a child, sat down at the piano and serenaded the crowd.

“It’s exciting to me to be able to show people that we are more than just athletes,” said Turner. “It’s my creative expression and a way I can connect with people, so I love it.”

Player Steve Avila said it was a great first visit and he hopes to come back. “It’s so awesome finding common interest between people and talking about that,” Avila said. “We just tried our best to up their day a little bit.”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Childhood Cancer Survivor Aiden Duong in Rams Spotlight