“He dedicated his life and career to caring for the sickest patients. And when the global pandemic took hold of us, Joe selflessly continued his work on the front lines, deeply committed to serving our patients and our City during this time of great need”. “His memory will live as an example for all of us.”
Members of the Costa family were not immediately available to comment to CNN: Hospital spokesman Dan Collins told CNN that the family is not giving media interviews at this time.
“I keep thinking, there is now one less doctor in the ICU to treat pandemic patients in Baltimore,” Hart told the newspaper.
Costa had been chief of critical care at Mercy Medical Center since 2005, and previously worked for consecutive terms as secretary and treasurer, vice president and president of Mercy’s medical staff from 2010 to 2016.
A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Costa has also held teaching positions at the university since 1992 and has often served as a media spokesperson for clinical experience in critical and pulmonary care issues for the hospital.
In memory of Dr. Costa, the Sisters of Mercy and the Mercy Health Services Administration will plant a tree in the ICU’s Bunting 9th Floor Garden this summer, the center added.
About 20 of Costa’s colleagues held a vigil and put his blue gloved hands on him as he lay dying, Collins confirmed to CNN. Formal services to honor Costa’s life are still being planned.
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