Tom Neal, RN, MBA, MHA
It may be difficult to believe that we just passed the one-year anniversary of the natural disaster that turned our world in Western North Carolina upside down, Hurricane Helene. Although bittersweet, it’s important to reflect on what we endured a year ago, not just to recall the challenges and hardships the hurricane brought, but to recognize our community’s remarkable resilience.
On an individual basis, our community shone bright — neighbors helped neighbors in whatever ways they could, whether that was sharing food and other resources, checking in with the elderly or chronically ill, or just lending a listening ear or giving a heartfelt hug when needed. With no internet, television to watch, or other tech-related distractions, connection really became critical.
Of course, our Highlands-Cashiers Hospital and Eckerd Living Center team members — no matter what department they served in or area of their expertise — aligned with the goal of continuing to provide the exemplary care we’re known for without interruption or incident, against all odds. This meant thinking and approaching care with creativity, resourcefulness, and even more compassion than usual. Some staff volunteered to shelter at the hospital while the storm was raging and many days after, so patients could receive care and treatment.
One extraordinary example of going “above and beyond” was when our dedicated doctors created a temporary walk-in clinic to serve patients. It was a welcome sign of stability during a very unpredictable, disorienting period.
I refer to the support Highlands-Cashiers Hospital receives from HCA Healthcare often in these columns, but during the period of Hurricane Helene, their presence and assistance were even more vital. Thanks to them, we and all the hospitals within the Mission Health system received essential resources, from medical supplies, fuel, and food and water to clinical and administrative personnel.
A bright spot of this support is the generosity of HCA Healthcare in supporting our team. The HCA Hope Fund provided financial help to hospital employees whose lives and homes were adversely affected by the hurricane and gave a generous gift of $1 million toward relief of HCA Healthcare employees in our region. We also benefited from the delivery of a gas truck by HCA Healthcare to allow staff to fuel their cars free of charge. Without even a request, HCA Healthcare sent supplies for us to open a mini- mart that allowed staff to get vital groceries, free of charge. Witnessing this investment and care for our staff and communities made me extremely proud to be part of the HCA Healthcare team.
Community organizations also came to the rescue in different ways. For example, our Boys and Girls Club of Highlands welcomed hospital team members’ children while schools were closed. Hospital volunteers worked many hours to help care for them. We had special neighbors who reached out to ask how they could help the hospital.
Our government agencies also stepped up in a big way. Macon and Jackson counties, as well as our town of Highlands, were supportive in many ways with providing assistance. When we learned a desperately needed food truck had to come up the gorge road, all that was needed was a call to Macon County’s Emergency Manager Warren Cabe and Police Chief Andrea Holland. They saw to it that the driver made it safely to the hospital. Finally, Highlands Cashiers Hospital’s own Board of Trustees was here every step of the way as we navigated uncharted territory during and after the storm.
While we certainly hope we’re never faced with the challenges Helene presented, rest assured our mission to provide care, compassion, and stability no matter the circumstances will remain. Our community has only grown stronger in the year since Helene, and Mission Health and HCA Healthcare has been proud to have been instrumental to the recovery effort.
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