SALT LAKE CITY — During the pandemic, we called them heroes for putting their own health at risk to care for others.

At the Utah Capitol Monday, state leaders joined health care professionals to say thank you to Utah’s frontline workers.

“I’m honored to thank the thousands of Utah health care workers especially our nurses who have battled so tirelessly over the half almost two years now,” said Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson.

Lt. Gov. @DeidreHenderson launches THANK YOU campaign to healthcare workers. In this week of Thanksgiving, she encourages people to thank a healthcare worker – a social media shoutout, elbow bump, etc. pic.twitter.com/4j7Qt4rCLG

— Tamara Vaifanua (@TamaraVaifanua) November 22, 2021

This group gives the ultimate compassionate service and today the community launched a campaign to say thank you.

“They still watch their patients die terrible and often lonely deaths,” said Henderson.

They’re tired and lean on each other.

“Just the emotional support of somebody who knows what it’s like to just be there and share those experiences is incredible,” said Dr. Denitza Blagev, a pulmonary care physician at Intermountain Healthcare.

The State of Utah and the @UtahDepOfHealth partnered with all health care systems in the state, the Utah Hospital Association, and the Utah Health Care Association to develop a new campaign to recognize the efforts of our health care workers.

Watch it here, and please share! pic.twitter.com/pWeSB5FxDY

— Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson (@LGHendersonUtah) November 22, 2021

The stresses can be too much to bear.

Dr. Marilyn Mariani, chief nursing officer MountainStar Lake View Hospital, said it’s been tough seeing her colleagues leave the profession.

“I have a daughter myself who is also a nurse. And one thing I say is you have to look back at the positives prior to this pandemic,” she said. “Those things will come back one day.”

If you see a health care worker this week, you can say thank you with a handwritten note, social media shout out or an elbow bump.

Nurses KSL talked to said the ultimate thank you is for people to get vaccinated so everyone can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.