Dr Joseph Costa, a Baltimore physician, died from coronavirus on July 25, 2020, after battling to save hundreds of patients. He was 56 years old.
The Baltimore physician passed away surrounded by about 20 of his colleagues and while in the arms of his tearful husband, David Hart.
He told The Washington Post that he pleaded with his partner to stay away from the hospital, with Joseph vulnerable due to a rare autoimmune disorder.
"I begged him not to go to work," David said, but his brave husband felt it was important to lead his staff by continuing to work on the front lines.
Both Joseph and David got sick with COVID-19 in late June, the Washington Post reported.
David eventually recovered, but Joseph ended up in the hospital on a ventilator and later in a coma.
His hospital, the Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, shared an emotional tribute on their Facebook page.
It read: "Joe was more than a trusted colleague; he was also a true friend to many. He dedicated his life and career to caring for the sickest patients. And when the global pandemic came down upon 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 on as an example to us all."
Joseph first began working at Mercy Medical Center in 1997 and became chief of critical care in 2005.