A reflection on resilience and Breast Cancer Awareness Month
It may be difficult to believe that we are at the one-year anniversary of the natural disaster that turned our world in Western North Carolina upside down, Hurricane Helene. Although it’s a bittersweet commemoration, 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 (HCH) and Eckerd Living Center (ELC) 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 HCH 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 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, HCH’s own Board of Trustees was here every step of the way as we navigated uncharted territory during and after the storm.
Because this is my October column, I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I want to remind the women of our community to put their health first by performing monthly breast self-exams and scheduling — as well as keeping — their mammogram appointments. Remember that early detection of breast cancer is key to successful treatment and survival.
We are here to care for you throughout the year, through thick and thin, for generations to come.
Tom Neal, RN, MBA, MHA, is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Neal is a proven leader with more than 30 years of progressive healthcare experience. Prior to his role at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, he served as Chief Executive Officer of both Berwick Hospital Center in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and Greenbriar Valley Medical Center, Ronceverte, West Virginia, which are each part of Community Health Systems (CHS). Tom has an MBA from the University of Louisville, MHA from the California College of Health Sciences, BSN from Regents College of New York and an ADN from Jefferson Community College.