New Bern hospital honors COVID-19 frontline workers with sculpture

NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) - An Eastern Carolina hospital hosted a ceremony to honor those on the front of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern unveiled a specially commissioned brick sculpture titled “Perseverance” to honor the hard work and sacrifice of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

CarolinaEast registered nurse Christi Herbst shared her experience, one that many healthcare professionals endured in 2020, from being there during a patient’s last moments on earth to losing her own co-workers during the fight against COVID.

“When we heard the news that one of our own employees had died from the virus, I can tell you that we all counted the cost again that day and still we answered every call. In January of this year, when NFL Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field and the rest of the game was canceled, I remember feeling envious of their ability to just stop. In health care, we don’t have the luxury of stopping. No matter the devastation or loss.”

The sculptor who made the piece is Brad Spencer and he says a photoshoot of Herbst inspired him.

The unveiling took place outside the front entrance of CarolinaEast Medical Center this morning at 11 a.m.

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