Hurricane season 2024 will go down in history as one of the most catastrophic in the mainland U.S., wreaking havoc in areas that normally aren’t as affected by tropical storms.

Hurricane Helene struck the southeast, killing more than 200 people across six states, including members of the HCA Healthcare family. Thousands of people were missing for days. Then, in Florida, Hurricane Milton unleashed dozens of tornadoes and flooding that led to the record-breaking transport of hundreds of patients to sister and neighboring facilities.

As our colleagues mourned what seemed like insurmountable losses, there were countless stories of heroism and compassion. We witnessed communities coming together and, as the floodwaters receded, hope and gratitude emerged.

Our colleagues — some of whom traveled across the country — showed up with their medical, engineering, logistics and leadership expertise. Most importantly, they showed up ready to provide comfort and to share what they had when it was needed. Whether it was food, water or shelter, our colleagues demonstrated that we weren’t just there to provide medical attention. Our presence meant that communities could depend on us to deliver help when they needed it most.

In Asheville, where residents were without power, Wi-Fi access and potable water for weeks, the community was drawn to Mission Hospital. Some found themselves there to send messages to loved ones. There were mothers seeking formula to feed their babies. And some appeared to have nowhere else to go because their homes were swept away or destroyed by floods.

Many said the city looked like a war zone, because of the fallen trees, downed power lines and debris. Michael Wargo, vice president of Enterprise Emergency Operations, noticed many young adults without families nearby.

He recalls seeing the lights of Mission Hospital in the midst of a darkened city as he arrived by helicopter.

“In any disaster, where the community infrastructure is taken out and we have resources, we become that beacon on the hill and people see the beacon and they flee to our hospitals for shelter, for food, for restrooms, for whatever,” Michael says. “Mission Hospital is at the highest point in the downtown area of Asheville. It is on the hill, and it literally has become the beacon on the hill because there is light and activity there at all times.”

Surviving disaster to care for others

Jennifer Blount, a food and nutrition services colleague at HCA Healthcare affiliate Memorial Health Meadows Hospital, sheltered overnight in a closet with her grandchildren in her Vidalia, Georgia home, as Hurricane Helene made its way through the region. When Jennifer finally made it out her front door three days later, she couldn’t believe what she saw.

Jennifer was unable to get her car out, but knew if her family could just make it to where she worked at Memorial Health Meadows Hospital, they would be ok.

“I know if anyone’s going to help us, it’s going to be my [coworkers],” she told her grandchildren.

They walked seven miles to the hospital, where they were able to eat, shower and rest. Colleagues encouraged Jennifer to rest, but she insisted on working to help feed those caring for patients after the storm. In less than a week, Jennifer’s team served more than 2,000 meals to patients and colleagues.

“Memorial Health is a family of joy and love, and I’m so thankful to be a part of this family,” said Jennifer. “I’m a true believer that where that love’s at, it doesn’t fade away. And that’s one thing about Memorial Health, their love doesn’t fade away. They show it every day.”

From scrubs to hard hats, colleagues eagerly assist

Colleagues are driven to serve, and sacrifice, when the going gets tough. When Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, Matt Alligood, a nursing director at Mission Hospital remained at the hospital for several days to navigate the aftermath of the storm. Meanwhile, his family was navigating trees that had fallen on their home. Upon hearing this, his fellow colleagues gathered at his home and began clearing trees and debris before he even arrived. Afterwards, they shared breakfast with the Alligood family.

“Words will never do this act of kindness justice,” Matt said afterwards, also noting that the support didn’t end there.

Hundreds of HCA Healthcare nurses from across the country arrived at Mission Hospital to assist caregivers.

“They showed up with a smile on their face, eager to help, eager to give us just a little bit of reprieve. It was amazing,” he said

Father-daughter team to the rescue

As Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina, it brought torrential rain that felled trees, caused severe flooding and made much of the region impassable. Cue a father-daughter team from HCA Midwest Health who served as pilot and co-pilot to deliver supplies to rural areas.

Operation Airdrop, a Texas-based nonprofit that organizes general aviation assets in the aftermath of natural disasters, contacted Darryl Nelson, MD and Chief Medical Officer at Centerpoint Medical Center, to request his time and private airplane to help rural western North Carolina communities.

Dr. Nelson flew 2,200 miles within 21 hours of flight time to deliver 2,000 lbs. of supplies with his daughter, Emily Nelson, practice manager for
HCA Midwest Health Outpatient Neurology Clinics. Together, they navigated rough terrain within the Appalachian Mountains to deliver food, water, pet food, diapers and more to people there. Despite the devastation, the Nelsons witnessed optimism and gratitude.

“Even during such a heart-wrenching situation, the community coming together and just seeing the positivity in it when there’s so much negative was the most rewarding thing,” Emily told KCTV 5 reporters.

A people-first promise from day one

The Frist Foundation was established in 1982, by two of HCA Healthcare’s founders – Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. and Dr. Thomas Frist, Jr. The Frist Foundation invests in promising organizations with high ambitions of improving communities across Nashville. Their specific focus lies in grants that strengthen the capacity of organizations and increase the number of people that can be reached.

In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, The Frist Foundation has donated $1 million to the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund, a 501(c)(3) charity that helps HCA Healthcare employees and their immediate families who are affected by financial hardship.

Following the destruction left by the storms, more than 3,400 colleagues have turned to the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund for assistance.

“We are honored to support the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund and the
HCA Healthcare family through the immediate and near term needs as a result of the recent hurricanes and flooding in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina,” said Corinne Bergeron, executive director and chief executive officer of The Frist Foundation. “On behalf of our Board of Directors, we support HCA Healthcare employees and their immediate families in need and offer this gift in honor of all who are working to care for patients, each other and their communities.”