YRMC announces permanent memorial honoring lives lost to COVID-19

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - This week marked the three-year anniversary of Yuma Regional Medical Center’s first Covid death.

To honor patients and staff members who passed away during the pandemic, the hospital plans to build a permanent Covid-19 memorial on campus.
“In the coming days we’re gonna be breaking ground on a new covid memorial, really dedicated to our community, the lives lost during covid, and for all the people who cared for others during a really difficult time,” said YRMC's Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

It’s been about three years since Covid-19 impacted the Yuma community.

And Yuma Regional Medical Center says each of us are connected by this unprecedented experience.

“Yesterday would have been the three year anniversary of the first covid death we had here at Yuma Regional Medical Center. The number of deaths in Yuma was significant, over 800,” said Headington.

YRMC’s community and healthcare teams are working on moving forward and healing, planning to build a permanent Covid-19 memorial on campus.
“I believe this memorial will be the first at any Arizona hospital for honoring covid 19 patients,” said YRMC's director of spiritual care, Cathleen Wolff.

The memorial will include 800 illuminating stars, representing lives lost from covid.
“Those stars are each unique just like our patients are unique. No two patients are the same,” said Wolff.
“It’s also funded by the community donations that came into the foundation during Covid, that supported our healthcare workers during the time, and then helped us care for the families that were here,” said Headington.

The project is set to be complete before the winter this year and YRMC will host a special community celebration for the opening.