PITTSBURG, Kan. – Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg not only celebrated Earth Day but also recognized the lives lost during the pandemic.

This was done by planting a grove of trees as a living memorial. Officials say everyone on their staff has been impacted by the pandemic in some way and this memorial will represent their mission while also helping the environment.

“So we took this time to use Earth Day to reflect upon the people we have cared for, those folks that we have lost (and) the tremendous energy put forth by our medical staff,” said Drew Talbott of Ascension Via Christi. ”

The new tree grove is north of the hospital’s parking lot.