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.
Download Press Release Template for COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day
Use the template below (MS Word format) to share how your hospital is recognizing COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day. Replace all italicized text with specific information about your hospital’s event and share with local news or media outlets.
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:
We invite you to join us on March 4 for the inaugural COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day. This day was created to officially recognize the front line 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 four-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 case in Texas, and today, [Hospital Name] joins other Texas hospitals to solemnly commemorate the inaugural 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].