Weathering the Storm: Lessons Learned From the Healthcare Response to Helene (Part 1)

In this episode, we launch a special, non-consecutive series exploring “Lessons Learned from The Healthcare Response to Hurricane Helene”—a research project part of the Western North Carolina Health Policy Initiative, and one of 21 efforts funded by the NC Collaboratory. 

This study seeks to understand how health system leaders navigated the challenges of Hurricane Helene: what worked, what didn’t, and what must change to strengthen our regional response in future crises. Through interviews and qualitative research, the team is gathering critical insights to shape smarter, more resilient practices for health organizations, communities, and governments across WNC.

Throughout the series, we’ll trace the evolution of the project—from its early design to the stories being collected, key findings, and the final takeaways that aim to turn lived experience into lasting policy change.

Tune in as we begin the journey toward learning from the past to better prepare for what’s ahead.

In this episode, UNCA student intern, Emma Hoosier, shares her perspective on the healthcare workforce shortage in Western North Carolina. Through her internship experience, she reflects on conversations with local providers and community members about the challenges facing the region — and the potential solutions emerging from local insights, state initiatives, and national policy discussions. She also shares her own path to becoming an intern with the NCCHW, offering a glimpse into how other students in WNC can get involved in public health efforts across the mountains. Stay tuned for updates on Emma’s written list of policy opportunities. 

In the meantime, check out the following sources:  

8/10+19

As WNC recovers from Hurricane Helene, what can we learn from New Orleans' post-Katrina housing crisis?

Host Andrew Rainey speaks with Andreanecia Morris, Executive Director of HousingNOLA, about disaster profiteering, community-led recovery, and why housing is a public health issue.

We explore red flags in post-disaster policy, models for transparency, and the potential of a Housing Trust Fund to protect health and housing equity.

Read more about media references in the show here:

NOLA

WNC

The second episode in a series on the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP), as its fate is decided in the upcoming state budget.

In this installment, we hear about the impact of the HOP from the perspectives of the WNC network lead, a participating HSO, and two families with children enrolled. 

Voices in this installment include:

A conversation with researcher, Seth Berkowitz, about his team's recent publication, "Medicaid Spending and Health-Related Social Needs in the North Carolina Healthy Opportunities Pilots Program (link below)" as NC considers its inclusion in the 2025-2027 budget.   

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40014313/

In a Post-Helene Economy, North Carolina’s Childcare Crisis is Putting WNC Families and Businesses Between a Rock and a Hard Place. Learn about Early Childhood Education Policy Opportunities in NC in this installment, featuring:

Greg Borom (WNC Early Childhood Coalition) 

Susan Rotante (Parent Advocate)

Samantha Cole (NC Department of Commerce) &

Neil Harrington (NC Child)

Learn about Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Western North Carolina (WNC) with the president of the NC Community Health Worker Association, Honey Yang Estrada. 

In the last installment of this 3 part series, learn about 4 areas of potential legislation and/or strategy to improve language access in WNC: Cost, Workforce Development, Infrastructure & Outreach. We'll speak with: 

Cost

• Professor in Residence in the Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine at the UCSF, Dr Leah Karliner, about a study which shows how language access decreases readmission rates and hospital expenditures for payers.

Workforce Development

• MAHEC's continuing education planner, Rosalyn Wasserman, about their medical interpretation series.

The Health Access Programs Manager at the Western Carolina Medical Society, Rosalia McHattie.

Infrastructure

• Program Analyst, Gretchen Ramirez, of NC's Broadband Infrastructure Office, under the Division of Broadband Access and Digital Equity

Outreach

• Steward and Linguist at the Cenzontle Language Justice Cooperative, Monserrat Ramirez.

Learn about the Healthy Opportunities Pilot, Impact Health, with Senior Director of Innovation & Equity Development, Dionne Greenlee-Jones.

Learn how language access intersects with healthcare in WNC.