VETERAN PHYSICIAN LEADER AND DAUGHTER ANSWER THE HURRICANE HELENE CALL FROM HCA HEALTHCARE
HCA MIDWEST HEALTH VETERAN PHYSICIAN LEADER DR. DARRYL NELSON, AND HIS DAUGHTER, EMILY NELSON, HCA MIDWEST HEALTH PRACTICE MANAGER, ANSWER THE HURRICANE HELENE CALL FROM HCA HEALTHCARE
____________________________________
Within hours, Dr. Nelson, a pilot, flies his private plane with his daughter and an aircraft full of supplies to save lives and provide hope and healing.
INDEPENDENCE, MO. — (Oct. 11, 2024) — Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina last week, bringing torrential rain, widespread power outages, and cell service disruptions. The community that HCA Healthcare affiliate Mission Health Hospital System serves was met with unprecedented and severe flooding, downed power lines, impassable roads, and numerous fallen trees. Through challenging days, HCA Healthcare’s North Carolina-based colleagues selflessly served their community and supported Mission Health patients without hesitation.
Immediately after, more than 100 HCA Healthcare physicians, nurses, leaders, and support staff from sister facilities across the country – including countless colleagues from HCA Midwest Health – traveled to North Carolina to support and provide relief to caregivers at Mission Hospital. Darryl Nelson, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Centerpoint Medical Center, and his daughter, Emily Nelson, Practice Manager for HCA Midwest Health Outpatient Neurology Clinics, answered that call immediately.
On Monday, September 30, 2024, Nelson received a phone call from Operation Airdrop, a Texas non-profit that organizes general aviation assets in the aftermath of a natural disaster, inquiring if he would donate his time and private airplane to help shuttle supplies from Charlotte, North Carolina, to rural communities to help the most vulnerable – and possibly injured people impacted by the hurricane. Dr. Nelson and Emily made the three-hour trip to North Carolina on Tuesday morning to begin their volunteer efforts. Wednesday, the two had already shuttled more than 1,200 pounds of supplies and continued moving supplies throughout through Friday, October 4, 2024, to help those in need.
“I became a physician to help those in need, especially during their most vulnerable time,” said Dr. Nelson, physician leader with Centerpoint and HCA Midwest Health for over 30 years. “Whether positively impacting a patient in the clinic, intensive care unit, or even via a plane trip during one of the worst disasters in the country, this has always been my calling.”
“I grew up watching my father’s unwavering care and compassion – not just with his patients, but in our community, our church, and during mission trips,” said Emily Nelson. “To be a part of this mission while helping our HCA Healthcare colleagues during their most vulnerable time alongside my father is so meaningful.”
By mobilizing resources and providing essential support to affected communities, they showcased their commitment to the care and improvement of human life and positively impacted beyond hospital walls those facing devastation from the hurricane.
Overall, Operation Airdrop significantly impacted the communities hit hardest by Helene, including more than 670 flights, 402,000 lbs of supplies flown by air, and 700,000 lbs by truck.
For its part, HCA Healthcare is contributing $250,000 to the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County to help with immediate natural disaster response and long-term support for flood victims. HCA Healthcare will also give $250,000 to the American Red Cross in North Carolina to help support its shelter locations. An additional $500,000 will be donated to other community partners directly supporting hurricane-related issues.
“Caring for those in their time of need is our greatest calling at HCA Healthcare, and I am deeply moved by the resilience and compassion of our colleagues,” said Sam Hazen, chief executive officer of HCA Healthcare. “It is our honor to support organizations like United Way and the American Red Cross to help our western North Carolina communities through Hurricane Helene and its aftermath.”
Learn more about HCA Healthcare’s response and relief efforts ➡ https://bit.ly/4eMg4PD.
#HCACares #CareLikeFamily
