Helping hospital workers who suffered losses from Helene

Many have lost everything in the unfathomable flooding and damage from Hurricane Helene, and hospital and healthcare workers are among those who lost homes or suffered heavy property damage.

Some clinicians and vital staff working at hospitals in the storm found out that they lost their homes, even while caring for patients, Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association told Chief Healthcare Executive®.

“Many of these heroes were at their hospitals responding to the crisis and then receiving word that their homes were destroyed,” she said.

Health systems, state hospital associations and nursing association have set up funds to help hospital workers who have lost property or suffered financial damages tied to Helene. The powerful storm caused catastrophic damage in communities across the Southeast. (The story continues below the video.)

BayCare Health System in Florida has created a special relief fund to support staff in need; the system is committing $10 million to the fund. BayCare operates 16 hospitals in west-central Florida, and some staff had their homes wiped out by heavy flooding from Helene.

Stephanie Conners, president and CEO of BayCare, said workers who suffered losses need support.

“We work 24/7 to keep open 16 hospitals and other services across West Central Florida, even during hurricanes, and our team shows up without hesitation,” Conners said in a statement. “Now we need to help those who are always prepared to help others.”

HCA Healthcare operates the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund, an employee-supported charity, to assist staff in disasters. HCA Healthcare operates seven hospitals in western North Carolina, which suffered massive flooding and damage from Helene. HCA also operates more than 40 hospitals in Florida.

More than 550 HCA Healthcare staff have received nearly $600,000 in emergency financial assistance, the system said Friday.

Here’s a roundup of some fundraising efforts to help hospital staff, with links to make donations for those interested.

North Carolina

The North Carolina Healthcare Foundation has activated a disaster relief fund to help hospital employees that have been affected by Helene and suffered property damage. There are 22 acute care hospitals in the affected region, and some of those workers have suffered heavy losses. Asheville and surrounding communities in western North Carolina suffered disastrous flooding.

The North Carolina Nurses Association and the North Carolina Foundation for Nursing have also activated a recovery fund which will distribute aid directly to nurses who have suffered loss and damages.

Tennessee

The Tennessee Hospital Association has set up a fund for hospital staff severely impacted by the storm.

Kelly Insana, vice president of marketing and communications for the Tennessee Hospital Association, said it’s unclear how many staff have been affected. But she said, “Hospital employees across the region have been impacted by the disaster.”

The hospital association stresses that donations of any size are helpful.

“In the wake of the devastating floods caused by Hurricane Helene, many of our hospital employees across East Tennessee are facing unimaginable challenges,” the association said. “Homes have been destroyed, and livelihoods disrupted, leaving many in urgent need of assistance.”

Donations can also be made by Venmo (@THA_Hospital_Employee_Relief) or by check to THA Hospital Employee Relief Fund and mailed to: Tennessee Hospital Association c/o Elizabeth Adams, 5201 Virginia Way, Brentwood, TN 37027.

The Tennessee Nurses Association also operates a disaster relief fund for nurses.

Florida

The Florida Nurses Association operates a disaster relief fund for nurses in the Sunshine State.

Red Cross

The Red Cross is working to help all victims of Helene across the Southeast. Those wishing to support the Red Cross can visit redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word HELENE to 90999.