Beginning in 2024, every March 4 in Texas will be observed as “COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day” under a new state law developed by Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra, D-McAllen, which establishes a uniform statewide date to honor and recognize the contributions and sacrifices of Texans who played crucial roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes health care professionals, first responders, essential workers, and others who worked tirelessly to support their communities during these challenging times.
COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day will also be a time to memorialize the almost 95,000 people in Texas who have lost their lives to COVID-19 since March 4, 2020 – the date the disease was first diagnosed in Texas.
How to Get Involved
We at THA would like to see our membership embrace and encourage widespread recognition of this new annual tribute to our best and bravest. We’re asking you to work within your facilities to create custom plans tailored to your hospitals and communities to celebrate the day both internally and beyond your facility walls, with media outreach and community efforts. Potential ways to celebrate include:
- Planning a staff, community or local press event;
- Creating tribute videos for local health care workers and others honored on Heroes Day;
- Creating special signage to commemorate the day; and
- Social media posts.

Hospitals Commemorate Texas’ Inaugural COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day
Texas hospitals honored both the fallen and the heroes of the pandemic on March 4.
Examples from Texas Hospitals
In 2024, Texas hospitals marked the inaugural COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day with special events for hospital staff and the community. Below are some examples of how hospitals observed the new event.
- DHR Health prepares for first-ever statewide COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day
- Cook Children’s hosts a moment of silence at Fort Worth and Prosper medical centers
- Medical City Healthcare hosts observance events for staff during COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day
- Methodist Hospital Metropolitan’s COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day tribute
- UMC El Paso’s Dedication Wall to honor health care heroes
- UT Southwestern hosts ceremony for staff on COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day




COVID-19 Heroes Day Resources
The Texas Hospital Association will be honoring the efforts of Texas hospitals on COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day and we encourage hospitals, health care workers and community members to participate as well. The resources below can be used to heighten awareness and show appreciation for Texas hospitals and health care workers ahead of and on March 4.
Sample Social Media Copy:
Before March 4:
Five years ago, on March 4, the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Texas. On this same day, [Hospital Name] will proudly observe the second annual COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day. This day officially recognizes all essential workers whose steadfast commitment kept Texans safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and to honor and remember the 95,000 Texans who lost their lives to the disease.
On March 4:
Today marks the five-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 case in Texas, and today, [Hospital Name] stands in solidarity with hospitals across Texas to solemnly commemorate the second annual COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day. We salute the resilience and dedication of our staff, who worked tirelessly amid the pandemic and honor the nearly 95,000 Texans who lost their lives to the disease.
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Questions?
Contact Carrie Williams, Chief Communications Officer, at [email protected].