(Cedar Rapids, IA) -- Residents of Cedar Rapids can now see a very large tribute to health care workers. Officials today (Monday) unveiled a two-story-mural on the backside of the former Gazette building near 5th Street and 3rd Avenue SE.
“We are incredibly grateful to all the local healthcare workers on the frontlines during this pandemic,” said Jesse Thoeming, executive director of the Cedar Rapids Downtown District. “For the past 20 months, these folks have been fighting an invisible and deadly enemy, sometimes with limited weaponry. To all in local healthcare, we say ‘thank you.’”
The mural features images of five local healthcare employees, including Dr. Hassan Sajjad, a pulmonologist and critical care physician with Mercy Pulmonology Clinic. Dr Sajjad said, “Covid has been challenging for all of us. We appreciate the gesture from the community to show its appreciation to all the healthcare workers.” “We know what we do, and we know how we do it, but it’s times like this that we learn our why and that is to serve our community, our family and friends. That’s why we do it,” said Dr. Dustin Arnold, St. Luke’s Chief Medical Officer at UnityPoint Health in Cedar Rapids, who also spoke at today's unveiling.
The mural is a creation of artist Isaac Campbell and is designed to be temporary, lasting six months to a year.