St. Luke’s dedicates COVID-19 memorials at medical centers in Meridian and Boise

In a tribute to the tireless work of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Luke’s physicians recently dedicated the second of two Treasure Valley memorials. The memorials are located at the Meridian and Boise Medical Centers and commemorate St. Luke’s frontline workers and health care professionals who bravely navigated the many stages and challenges of the pandemic.

The COVID-19 memorials include antique streetlamps removed from the Boise Medical Center in preparation for the Boise campus development project underway. The plaques beneath the lights read, “The light of your courage, which provided so much hope, will never be forgotten.”

“We wanted to create a place where our teams can regularly visit to reflect on the immense impact COVID-19 had on all of us,” said Dr. Charles Washington, chief of staff for the St Luke’s Treasure Valley Medical Staff. “These memorials represent both the grief and the courage we witnessed, particularly from our fellow colleagues who faced unprecedented challenges.”

The two memorials were funded by a generous gift from the Treasure Valley Medical Staff, many of whom were on the front lines during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 memorial at the Meridian Medical Center was recently dedicated and a brief dedication ceremony was held Oct. 1 at the Boise Medical Center.