As a healthcare organization, planning for emergencies is part of our DNA. We analyze endless scenarios and drill rehearsed responses to maintain a constant state of preparedness.  However, no amount of planning could have prepared us for the destruction and disruption caused by Hurricane Helene. Despite this, UNC Health Pardee remained open and operational from the moment the storm hit. 

Pardee’s ability to keep the doors open during an extreme crisis was no accident. Our community-first culture and foundational relationship with UNC Health and local partners enabled us to serve even in the most challenging times. We were responsive and collaborative in our mission to continuously serve the region.

The storm presented numerous logistical challenges for everyone – from a lack of cell phone and internet services to the inability to physically get from point A to point B. Like so many, Pardee simply had to adapt in the face of unheard-of conditions. Information initially presented itself in the form of or word of mouth or patients arriving at the hospital, then later via social media posts or texts from peers in the community. 

Days after the storm, many residents found themselves displaced and needing a safe space. Pardee’s doors were open not only to those needing medical care, but also to members of our community seeking shelter. Early on, our hospital lobby was converted into a temporary shelter to accommodate discharged patients who could not return home. Anyone physically in the hospital was able to have a hot meal, and those who stopped by were given information about community resources. Our staff, concerned about the state of homes and travel conditions that patients might encounter upon leaving the hospital, personally ventured out to check on the conditions of roadways and patients’ homes. 

Pardee’s foundational relationships and collaboration with key partners across the state and region, especially our connection with UNC Health, played a critical role in our ability to offer these services and resources to those in need. 

UNC Health immediately deployed clinical teams from across the state to Pardee in our community’s time of need. Having these folks on site enabled us to leverage resources and connections to not only serve our patients but the broader community. UNC Health’s Carolina AirCare flight team and ground crew spent a week in Henderson County, reinforcing local emergency management services and Pardee’s patient transport needs. Their support in helping transport patients to higher levels of care allowed Henderson County EMS crews to stay in the county and continue their rescue work locally.

When a neighboring facility faced water outages and informed their late-term patients that they would likely not be able to deliver babies, Pardee’s obstetrics and gynecological medical director reached out to his network and offered help. With the reach of social media, Pardee was able to help several women avoid having to leave the region to deliver their babies safely.

For a period of time when other hospitals were on diversion or physically inaccessible, Pardee received all ambulance traffic – even though our own patient numbers were already high. Henderson County EMS director Mike Barnett shared that his department experienced significant problems with communications and getting to emergencies, while the calls for service grew exponentially. He shared that knowing that Pardee was accepting all of their ambulance traffic and offering critical care long enough for patients to be stabilized meant that their teams could stay focused on rescue operations in the community.

Caring for the community during a crisis also means caring for the caregivers. Pardee implemented several support measures for teammates including crisis pay, temporary sleeping arrangements, childcare, and laundry services. By removing this burden from our team and ensuring their needs were met, we were better able to provide quality care, even in the most difficult circumstances. This support continues today through the Pardee Hospital Foundation. As all WNC residents understand, recovery and rebuilding will take some time. 

When we talk about how our team came together to serve the community, without fail, teammates will note that they did what they did because it was the right thing to do. They led with their heart – oftentimes in the face of what was financially possible or normally done. That sense of integrity helped us stay the course and maintain stable operations throughout the days following Helene.