Donor Impact On
Critical Care
The late Dr. Joseph J. Costa, former Chief of Mercy Medical Center’s Division of Critical Care, insisted on leading the Intensive Care Unit during the height of the pandemic, despite having an underlying respiratory condition that put him at great personal risk. His integrity and generous spirit led him to continually give so much of himself over the course of his life.
Dr. Costa died of the Coronavirus around 4:45 in the morning on Saturday, July 25, 2020 in the same Intensive Care Unit where he began his Mercy career in 1997 and went on to supervise in 2005. That morning, he was surrounded by his husband of 28 years, David Hart, and about 20 colleagues, who placed their gloved hands upon him.
Since the passing of this beloved physician, mentor, and advocate, more than 125 donors have given to the Joseph J. Costa, M.D., Memorial Fund. This includes Joe’s parents, Richard and Barbara, along with his husband David, who recently donated generously to support the ongoing efforts of the Critical Care Unit now named in Dr. Costa’s honor.
“Joe was a person who cared deeply about his profession and the Mercy mission,” shared Dr. Costa’s father, Richard. “I am a Mercy patient myself and every time I visit the hospital, I can see that the administration takes great care to ensure that everyone—from leadership to health workers to the attendants in the garage—understands the mission of healing and service, and embody it through genuine kindness and attentiveness.”
So important was the mission of Mercy to Dr. Costa that for many years he carried in his wallet a frayed Mission Statement and Core Values Sisters of Mercy card. “Joe had a quiet grace about him,” his husband related. “He believed in meeting people where they were. He asked everyone to just call him Joe. He was able to walk into a crisis or make his rounds on a quiet day and whatever the situation, he took great pains to ensure that people felt Mercy’s unique standard of care.”
When asked about Dr. Costa’s philosophy around giving, David mentioned that Joe was private about his philanthropy. He supported various animal shelters, youth mentorship at Bridges Baltimore, scholarships at the Maryland Institute College of Art, charity work at Little Sisters of Jesus, and even quietly wrote a check for college tuition so a struggling coworker’s daughter could finish her education. “Joe believed in nurturing people’s abilities. He wanted to provide opportunities for people in less fortunate circumstances. His life’s work was about helping others overcome barriers. This legacy gift to the Critical Care Unit, a unit he loved and built from the ground up, is a way of ensuring Joe’s essence lives on.”
The family described Dr. Costa as a democratic leader—someone with high standards, who wanted his team to rise to the best of their abilities. David expressed, “As Mercy moves forward toward its 150th anniversary—on the same site, in the same city, which speaks volumes to its excellence—Joe would want those who come after him to have the flexibility to meet the needs of the moment, to focus on the founding principles of the Sisters of Mercy, and to find new ways to provide the very best care.”
Dr. Costa’s nephew Chase Belford shared, “When I was in high school, I shadowed Joe for a week as part of my volunteer service hours. I could see how seriously he took his work. He didn’t have a job; he had a vocation. During the COVID crisis, despite knowing the tremendous risk to his own compromised health, Joe embodied servant leadership—he bravely gave of himself until there was nothing left to give. As his family, it is our privilege and obligation to pay that love forward to his Mercy family. This gift is not so much about a sense of closure or healing for us. It’s not about looking back. It’s about looking forward. This is the beginning of a new tradition.”
“Even now, months after Joe has gone on, I still am getting letters in the mail from grateful patients, detailing the way Joe saved their lives,” David commented. “I know from all those long night shifts when I would bring him dinner and see his team in action, Joe really did set the example for exceptional, compassionate care… Joe gave a lot to Mercy, and Mercy gave a lot to Joe. Now it’s our turn to give.”
Richard said, “I speak for his mother and all our family when I say we have a deep feeling of gratitude for the chance to be a part of something that Joe was a part of, and to help ensure his life’s work continues in meaningful ways.”
Dr. Kelli Eimer, the new Director of Critical Care at Mercy, said, “Joe didn’t just supervise: he led our critical care team. His example really set the collaborative tone of only accepting excellent care, both clinically and compassionately. We sincerely miss him here, beyond measure. I’m glad that his legacy will live on. Now more than ever, critical care is an essential part of the healthcare landscape. Gifts to the Joseph J. Costa, M.D., Memorial Fund honor our beloved colleague and ensure that Mercy can meet the challenges ahead.”
The late Dr. Joseph J. Costa, former Chief of Mercy Medical Center’s Division of Critical Care, insisted on leading the Intensive Care Unit during the height of the pandemic, despite having an underlying respiratory condition that put him at great personal risk. His integrity and generous spirit led him to continually give so much of himself over the course of his life.
Dr. Costa died of the Coronavirus around 4:45 in the morning on Saturday, July 25, 2020 in the same Intensive Care Unit where he began his Mercy career in 1997 and went on to supervise in 2005. That morning, he was surrounded by his husband of 28 years, David Hart, and about 20 colleagues, who placed their gloved hands upon him.
Since the passing of this beloved physician, mentor, and advocate, more than 125 donors have given to the Joseph J. Costa, M.D., Memorial Fund. This includes Joe’s parents, Richard and Barbara, along with his husband David, who recently donated generously to support the ongoing efforts of the Critical Care Unit now named in Dr. Costa’s honor.
“Joe was a person who cared deeply about his profession and the Mercy mission,” shared Dr. Costa’s father, Richard. “I am a Mercy patient myself and every time I visit the hospital, I can see that the administration takes great care to ensure that everyone—from leadership to health workers to the attendants in the garage—understand the mission of healing and service, and embody it through genuine kindness and attentiveness.”
So important was the mission of Mercy to Dr. Costa that for many years he carried in his wallet a frayed Mission Statement and Core Values Sisters of Mercy card. “Joe had a quiet grace about him,” his husband related. “He believed in meeting people where they were. He asked everyone to just call him Joe. He was able to walk into a crisis or make his rounds on a quiet day and whatever the situation, he took great pains to ensure that people felt Mercy’s unique standard of care.”
When asked about Dr. Costa’s philosophy around giving, David mentioned that Joe was private about his philanthropy. He supported various animal shelters, youth mentorship at Bridges Baltimore, scholarships at the Maryland Institute College of Art, charity work at Little Sisters of Jesus, and even quietly wrote a check for college tuition so a struggling coworker’s daughter could finish her education. “Joe believed in nurturing people’s abilities. He wanted to provide opportunities for people in less fortunate circumstances. His life’s work was about helping others overcome barriers. This legacy gift to the Critical Care Unit, a unit he loved and built from the ground up, is a way of ensuring Joe’s essence lives on.”
The family described Dr. Costa as a democratic leader—someone with high standards, who wanted his team to rise to the best of their abilities. David expressed, “As Mercy moves forward toward its 150th anniversary—on the same site, in the same city, which speaks volumes to its excellence—Joe would want those who come after him to have the flexibility to meet the needs of the moment, to focus on the founding principles of the Sisters of Mercy, and to find new ways to provide the very best care.”
Dr. Costa’s nephew Chase Belford shared, “When I was in high school, I shadowed Joe for a week as part of my volunteer service hours. I could see how seriously he took his work. He didn’t have a job; he had a vocation. During the COVID crisis, despite knowing the tremendous risk to his own compromised health, Joe embodied servant leadership—he bravely gave of himself until there was nothing left to give. As his family, it is our privilege and obligation to pay that love forward to his Mercy family. This gift is not so much about a sense of closure or healing for us. It’s not about looking back. It’s about looking forward. This is the beginning of a new tradition.”
“Even now, months after Joe has gone on, I still am getting letters in the mail from grateful patients, detailing the way Joe saved their lives,” David commented. “I know from all those long night shifts when I would bring him dinner and see his team in action, Joe really did set the example for exceptional, compassionate care… Joe gave a lot to Mercy, and Mercy gave a lot to Joe. Now it’s our turn to give.”
Richard said, “I speak for his mother and all our family when I say we have a deep feeling of gratitude for the chance to be a part of something that Joe was a part of, and to help ensure his life’s work continues in meaningful ways.”
Dr. Kelli Eimer, the new Director of Critical Care at Mercy, said, “Joe didn’t just supervise: he led our critical care team. His example really set the collaborative tone of only accepting excellent care, both clinically and compassionately. We sincerely miss him here, beyond measure. I’m glad that his legacy will live on. Now more than ever, critical care is an essential part of the healthcare landscape. Gifts to the Joseph J. Costa, M.D., Memorial Fund honor our beloved colleague and ensure that Mercy can meet the challenges ahead.”
